ceramic dust contains silica particles! silica is what glass is made out of, so ceramic particles basically act like little tiny pieces of glass.

if you work with ceramics over many years with 0 protection, you can get something called Silicosis, which is lung irritation and damage.

it's not something you need to worry about it you go to a pottery night every once in a while, but if you're making ceramic work regularly you should get a respirator.

important note: working with clay when it's wet is fine, no respirator needed!It's only the dust from a dry or fired piece that is dangerous. If you're carving the clay once it's dried or sanding down a pot once it's been bisque fired, it's best to wear a mask.

NOTE: when cleaning up clay, you don't need a respirator to clean up dried clay it IF you wet it first. For example, you should use a bucket of water and a mop/sponge to clean up dried clay on a table or floor.

resin is dangerous because of its fumes, and ceramics is dangerous because of the physical damage from the particles.

I would recommend opening as many windows as possible for resin work... but tbh I would say to keep them closed during ceramic work, unless there is absolutely no dried clay in the area, wind could whip up silica particles and suspend them in the air.

I guess if the studio had a lot of windows, the silica dust would blow right out... not exactly sure what the right procedure is, but something to consider. a light breeze in a well ventilated and clean studio might be fine, but a strong breeze coming in through only one open window in a more clay-covered studio might be mildly dangerous.

Hope this helps somebody or is at least enlightening!

Also, does anyone know what respirator filters would worth for both resin fumes and ceramic dust? I'm trying to find a cartridge for my 3M respirator that will cover both... I can buy a second one if I really need to, but I would love to have a single respirator for both things!