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Bentonite Toxicity
Bentonite is a ground naturally occurring clay. It is inorganic, non-toxic, non-irritating. It is not considered hazardous on skin contact (it is employed in cosmetics and skin products as a suspender). Eye contact hazards are similar to those of any other clay, flush to remove the particles.
As a natural clay product, it contains many trace elements and minerals. It also contains free quartz. Thus the primary hazard to consider is inhalation. While the aluminum silicate bentonite particles are much smaller than those of ball clay or kaolin, it is difficult to say whether this is also true of the quartz particles that may be associated with them (it is the quartz particles that present the inhalation hazard).
Bentonite is normally employed in very small amounts in glaze and clay body mixes (typically less than 3%) and only a small part of this is free quartz. However the free quartz is potentially finer it is therefore more likely to become airborne.
| By Tony Hansen Follow me on         |  |
Related Information
Links
| Materials |
Bentonite
Bentonite can make a clay body instantly plastic, only 2-3% can have a big effect. It also suspends slurries so they don't settle out and slows down drying. |
| Hazards |
Ball Clay
Most stoneware and whiteware clay bodies depend on ball clay for their plasticity (50%+ is common). It is also found in lower percentages in porcelains. It is sticky, plastic, fine particled and contains some free quartz. |
| Hazards |
Quartz Toxicity
Extended exposures to lower concentrations or less frequent exposures to higher concentrations can cause silicosis. |
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