State Issues Advisory Regarding Asbestos In Art Clay

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Education recently issued a letter to public and private schools advising them to stop using art clays that might have asbestos contaminated talc added to them. The letter recommends that schools purchase clay that does not contain talc, and to clean up art room areas where talc-containing clays were used in the past.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) has learned that much of the talc used in art clays in Connecticut comes from a particular mine in New York. There have been ongoing investigations into the possibility that the talc from this mine is contaminated with asbestos. The suspect talc is called NYTAL 100 and is sold by the R.T. Vanderbuilt Company.

DPH is concerned that if such talc is used it could cause exposure to airborne asbestos. Exposure to airborne asbestos has been linked to disease, most notably an increased risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

The federal government has not made a final determination regarding the need to address the presence of asbestos in art clay. DPH has asked the US Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) to look into this issue. An answer from the CPSC is not expected in the near future.

In the interim, the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI), which works with the CPSC to label art products as “nontoxic” for children’s use, has recently withdrawn its certification for products that contain talc from the mine in question. Additionally, a major supplier of art clay to Connecticut schools, Sheffield Pottery from Sheffield, Mass., has notified its school customers in Connecticut that it will not sell the talc-containing clay, and recommends alternative clays for school use.

DPH would like all locations where pottery is made to take notice of this advisory. While the original letter was issued only to elementary and secondary schools, other locations such as colleges, commercial studios and do-it-yourself studios, should also inventory their clay supplies to determine whether any have the suspect talc added. There are alternatives to these clays and most art supply distributors should be able to provide talc-free clays that perform to needed specifications.

For further information, the Connecticut Department of Public Health can be contacted through its website, dph.state.ct.us, or call 860-509-7270.