Chemical Exposure Assessment in Traditional Korean Pottery Workplaces

This study assessed occupational exposure to airborne hazardous substances-including total particulate matter (TPM), respirable suspended particles (RSPs), respirable crystalline silica (RCS), carbon monoxide (CO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)-in traditional Korean pottery workplaces.

Measurements were conducted in three representative settings: a small studio, a college facility, and an outdoor climbing kiln. Task-based sampling was performed for TPM, RSP, and RCS, while real-time monitoring captured temporal variations in nanoparticles, CO, and TVOCs.

TPM and RSP levels did not exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold-limit values (TLVs), but RCS exceeded the TLV of 25 μg/m³ in 5 out of 96 samples (5.2%), all during shaping or trimming in the pottery wheel room of the college workplace. Nanoparticles accounted for 78.9 ± 10.2% of the total particle number concentrations (PNCs), with high emissions during active kiln operation. CO and TVOC concentrations peaked during bisque and glaze firings, especially in the climbing kiln, although CO did not exceed the TLV of 25 ppm. Kiln type and task type significantly influenced particulate exposure levels, with pottery wheeling and climbing kiln use showing the highest concentrations. Peephole closure during firing and the use of exhaust ventilation in spray booths notably reduced emissions.

These findings highlight the need for targeted control strategies, particularly in indoor studios and shaping/trimming areas, to reduce exposure to fine particles and gases in artisanal pottery production.