As more Australians sink their hands into clay in search of a mindful creative outlet, there are concerns those new to pottery aren't aware of the risks of silicosis.
The incurable lung disease, caused by the inhalation of silica particles, has received increasing attention amid calls for a ban on engineered stone bench tops, which create silica dust when cut.
That dust is also created in ceramics, from dried clay and powdered glazes, both heavy in silica particles.
Australian Ceramics Association CEO Debbie Pryor said she had seen interest in the hobby balloon in recent years, as smaller studios and novelty "clay and rose" offerings have proliferated.
"Ceramics has grown exponentially over the last decade and, although we anticipated a decline throughout COVID, there has been an increase in home studios and smaller collectives," she said.
Ms Pryor said many in the industry were working hard to promote safe practices.
"If a studio isn't kept dust free and ventilated, and masks aren't worn when mixing glazes and loading kilns, the risk of silicosis is a real danger for dedicated makers," Ms Pryor said.
Better awareness needed to prevent lung disease
Lung Foundation chief executive Mark Brooke said silicosis risks were not limited to cutting benchtops.
"We know that there are different industries and different hobbies where you would inhale particulate matters," Mr Brooke said.
"Certainly, for people who are working long term in industries like ceramics, it's important that they take all the preventative measures possible."
He said better awareness was needed across the board to prevent irreversible lung damage.
"We're seeing far too many men and women in the prime of their life being disabled as a consequence of this disease," Mr Brooke said.
"It's really important that the message gets out their that regardless of what industry you work in, taking the necessary preventative steps is vital for your lung health."
Brett Stone owns a ceramics studio in Botany, in inner Sydney, and said he had noticed an explosion in interest in pottery in the last few years, both in people buying handmade pottery and wanting to try it themselves.
He said silicosis in the industry was a serious concern.
"I have spoken to people who have silicosis and it's a debilitating thing," Mr Stone said.
"They struggle to get up out of a chair and some people have 10 to 20 per cent lung capacity."
Concern about at-home kits
Mr Stone said his studio has strict rules and inductions, so that new members learn about the risks of silicosis, and how those can be mitigated.
But the studio owner said he was concerned home clay kits, and newer classes might not be providing enough information about safe practices.
"When you're sanding a pot, or if you don't clean up properly, a thin film of clay forms on everything: the floor, your clothes, your arms," he said.
"If you don't get rid of that with a damp sponge or cloth, it can then turn into powder which you will then breathe in.
"It is a pressing problem, but people need to learn to enjoy what they're doing, and if you do things carefully, you'll do it for a long time and you'll get even more enjoyment out of it."
