Plant Ash Toxicity

While the ash of most plants is very high in fluxing oxides like CaO and MgO, some plants take up much more free silica from the soil and have ash that can be high in silica particles (e.g. rice husk ash). Prolonged breathing of such exceptionally fine particled ash over time can cause silicosis.

When added to glaze suspension the ash will generally create a caustic and corrosive base that can cause skin reactions in some people (even severe reactions), thus is best to wear rubber gloves when working with ash glazes.

Out Bound Links

• (Hazards) Silicosis and Screening
  SILICOSIS and SCREENING by Edouard Bastarache

In Bound Links

• (Materials) Applewood Ash
• (Materials) Wood Ash
• (Materials) Rice Straw Ash
• (Materials) Rice Husk Ash
• (Materials) Eucalyptus Ash
• (Glossary) Ash Glaze

  A glaze that employs organic (e.g. paper, wood) or...