Is my studio practice killing me? Understanding the impact of silicosis 

Tips for ceramists and glass artists to protect against the deadly studio enemy of silicosis.
Drawing of a pair of lungs. Silicosis

Is all the concern surrounding silicosis just hype, fear and worst-case scenarios?

Essentially, it is a lung disease caused by breathing in crystalline silica dust, often found in materials like sand and concrete. For this reason – along with bladder cancer – it is often considered a ‘tradies’ disease. But it also affects ceramicists and glass artists. 

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Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Instagram: fairleygina