Health and Safety: The Risk to Gourd Workers
Indiana Art Educator, Gourd Artist, Gourd Advocate member AGS, IGS
This report is not intended to discourage or frighten the gourd enthusiast
from working with gourds or the beginning gourd person from starting a
creative hobby or career. Like all things in life, each and every job, sport,
hobby or life style has its "down side", but we should learn to respect their
hazards and enjoy all of the good aspects of the activity.
In the past, primitive methods of gourd crafting were more environmentally
safe, but with the advent of power machinery and people bringing the gourd
crafting process into the home, these practices have become a potential health
problem. This closed home environment has blossomed into a health crisis for all
members of the family. Health and safety now becomes an issue.
This report is a wake-up call to all gourd workers, both young and older, who
think they are inviolable or invincible because of their present health or
youth. To dismiss the potential problems is asking for health problems in the
future.
The ideas expressed in this report give gourd workers a range of choices to
find and select safety items at a variety of price levels with of course,
differing degrees of protection: the choices are yours.
If this report causes gourd workers to consider seriously the potential
ailments and diseases that are possible by not using good gourd safety
practices, then my effort writing this report will have been time and service
well spent.
Please consider any redundancy or repetition of some of the statements in this report as positive reinforcements.
Our responsibility to Gourd Crafters, Gourd Artists and all Gourd Workers
It is an established and well-known fact, that airborne gourd pollutants can and will create an environment that is conducive to many types of respiratory and chronic ailments. For those individuals who are gourding and gourd crafting, the urgency of protecting your health and the health of those in close proximity to you is in your hands. Working in an environment contaminated with gourd irritants is a man-made hazard that is a serious problem. All participants are likely candidates for medical problems. If, when working on a gourd, you can taste gourd dust in your mouth, you and those around you, are candidates for medical problems.
It is also likely that some gourd crafters will not notice the " taste
effect" of gourd irritants; beware these irritants are silent attackers.
The big culprit is the habitual or continued breathing of very fine gourd
dust and cellulose particulate. These particulate materials contain chemical
compounds that bind, harden and preserve the dried gourd. Secondary
chemicals are created from bacterial decay, molds, spores and other
microorganisms within and on the gourd during natural curing process.
Gourd smoke, gourd fumes and other gourd irritants, which are produced by the pyro-engraving techniques can be accumulative and are harmful to the lungs. These particulates, if not eliminated, will end up as problematic respiratory diseases.
The health of all gourd crafters participating in these unhealthy gourd
related practices, are at great risk. Using a respirator with the correct
filter when pyro-engraving is the sensible way to go.
Gourd crafters should always use dust protection measures to capture and
remove as much of the gourd dust from their working environment as possible.
Breathing dust that settles on clothing or anything around the operator, is
just as hazardous as breathing the dust from the working process.
A breathing mask or respirator that is designed to filter ultra fine dust
particulates is necessary. Respirators designed to trap the smoke and fumes
created when pyro-engraving can be purchased to prevent the gourd crafter
from most of these irritants. These irritants can cause the mucous in the
eyes, ears, throat and lungs to become thicker and therefore lose their
effectiveness. It makes it more difficult to cough and or eliminate congestion
from the lungs, tear ducts, etc., causing infections, colds, allergies and
many other chronic ailments,
The gourd crafter should know that even an occasional crafter could become
affected by anyone of the irritants. Long time
crafters still in good health cannot assume that they are spared from
these health hazards. Denial will create health problems at a later date, which
are NOT REVERSIBLE.
Mission Statement:
It is desirable that the following recommendations be adopted by all
concerned and that an educational health and safety program be initiated.
Inform all State Gourd Society Members and all Gourd Workers of the
harmful effects working and crafting gourds.
Help define the suspect gourd irritants that create symptoms of ailments.
Make known possible respiratory illnesses caused by gourd irritants.
Provide medical links for self-evaluation of symptoms before seeing a
doctor.
Recommend safety gear suppliers links for protective gear.
Make known possible safety solutions against gourd irritants.
Suggest that gourd artists and gourd workers recommend to all Gourd
Clubs, Garden Clubs, National, State and Local Gourd Societies that they
adopt mission statements in their respective club constitutions to inform
and to protect all people who work with gourds and the
crafting of gourds.
Recommended that the Gourd Educational Health and Safety Process be extended to include the following gourd practitioners: All gourd craft teachers, art teachers, and those who relay gourd information to others.
Recommend to gourd growers, gourd suppliers and gourd seed distributors,
that they participate in the dissemination of gourd health and safety
information by advising the public of the potential health hazard of working
with and handling gourds by using warning labels on all gourds and gourd
seed packages.
Suspect Gourd Irritants and Pollutants:
Gourd Dust
Gourd drying, cleaning, drilling, sawing, filing, sanding and sealing,
Handling of live gourd plants. Disposing of dried gourd plants.
Molds, Bacteria and Spores
Osmosis process of gourd drying; airborne pollution and cleaning of dried gourds.
Gourd Smoke and Fumes
Burning as in pyro-engraving, fumes from burning, wax fumes, paints,
thinners, solvents,
adhesives and dyes.
Other Irritants found in the crafting of Gourds
Bleach, detergents, cleaning solutions, polyurethane foam, paints, latex
gloves, other.
Suspect Gourd Related Lung / Respiratory Diseases:
This list is empirical in nature only. Many diseases are caused by extended
exposure to irritating or toxic substances that may cause acute or chronic
respiratory ailments. It is known that a single exposure can cause a chronic
lung disease.
This list is only a partial list of potential medical problems that may occur when working with
gourds. It is a summary of potential aliments and diseases that are suspected from gourd irritants and these irritants can also affect and agitate old ailments, prolong existing ailments, and create new ones.
Asthma
Exposure to dust, vapors, gases, and fumes are called "Asthma Triggers";
a respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the airways, various
stimuli, progressively worsening coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and
shortness of breath
Emphysema
The air sacs in the lungs are damaged or
destroyed by exposure to dust, vapors, gases, and fumes. This is an
irreversible condition leading to poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
between the air in the lungs and the bloodstream.
Bronchitis (Chronic) Lung Infections
The bronchial tubes may have been irritated initially by bacterial
or viral infections, resulting in a long term inflammation of the lining and
of the bronchial tubes. When the bronchi are inflamed and or infected less
air is able to flow to and from the lungs leaving the patient with a heavy
mucus or phlegm on many days of the month. Cigarette smoking and other smoke
irritants are the common cause of Chronic Bronchitis.
Byssinosis (brown lung)
A chronic condition involving obstruction of the small
airways, severely impairing lung functions. It is caused by dust from hemp,
flax cotton processing and possibly (dust from gourd crafting).
Silicosis
Exposure to free crystalline silica, and vitreous pollutants.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Inhalation of fungus spores and mold.
Occupational Lung Diseases
Carbon compounds in smoke and dust.
Hay fever
Dust from raw gourd embellishments etc.
Rhinitis
Dust and other irritants.
Sinusitis
Dust and other gourd irritants.
Allergies/Eye/Nose/Throat/Scalp
Dust and other gourd irritants
Laryngitis
Dust and other gourd irritants.
Dermatitis
Most dust and gourd air pollutants.
Memory Loss & Dizziness
Most dust and gourd air pollutants.
Links: Resources for Medical Information
American Lung Association Fact Sheet; Occupational Lung Disease -
www.osho.gov - Keywords: Lung
disease/Health/Air Pollution/Cancer
Links: Health and Safety
Acts@Casww.nihgov/factsheets/dustfree.htm
Suggestions and Partial Solutions For Safety
Protection:The following is a major listing of recommended safety items to consider for healthy gourd crafting and handling:
Wear a half respiratory mask or full respiratory mask when working and crafting gourds.
Wearing a paper mask, any paper mask, is better than no protection.
Gourd crafting should not be done in a closed environment.
Wipe molding gourds with a mild solution of soap and bleach.
Gourd crafting should never be attempted in a home living area.
Clean all gourds outside the home.
Painting, and sealing using aerosol types cans, should always be done in a well-ventilated craft center (workplace) or outside the home.
Paintbrushes and residues should be cleaned in special pans and discarded safely.
Gourd cleaning in a household washing facility such as a washing machine or dishwasher can be harmful to other members of the household
Gourd cleaning in a public clothes-washing facility is a reckless practice of spreading contamination to the unsuspecting public.
Storing gourds in the living area of your home is not recommended under any circumstances.
Gourds should be stored outside the home. This will also discourage rodents.
Solvents, paints, sealants and all applied liquid gourd embellishment materials should be used with caution and their usage directions followed.
Gourd items made for food usage must be sealed with approved food safe finishes, and/or sealers for safe food consumption.
The Work Place:
It is recommended that the work place should NOT BE in the general household
living area, but rather in an area that can be contained, controlled and
isolated from all gourd irritants as far as possible. If not, precautions and
alternative measures must prevail to protect other members of the household,
animals and other pets, and yourself. It is recommenced that the work
place should be located in an area that has windows for ventilation and floors
that are conducive to easy cleaning. GFI protected electrical outlets are
essential and water is a must for cleaning.
Clean Air Systems for the Work Place:
Dust collection systems can cost anywhere from $120.00 to more than
$1000.00. The use of any system is well worth the price; with no system you
still pay the health price. The system you select should be based on your
needs and may contain one or more of the following:
Air purifiers
Air Control Devices
Dust collecting Device
Portable Dust collector
Vacuum Cleaners
Exhaust Fan
Fan
Links: Useful Health and Safety Information
Acts@Casww.nihgov/factsheet/dustfree.htm
Suggested Safety Gear and Clothing:
Respiratory Mask
Paper Mask
Eye Goggles
Gloves
Apron /Lab Jacket
Shop shoes, or shoe covers
Hair Net or head and hair cover
Other
Links: Useful Protective Breathing Devices and Clothing
Bio-fighter Mask www.dustfree.com
www.stratfords.com/respiratory/northsafety_7700.htmlLinks and Useful Publications and Safety Information
Acts@CaseWeb.Comwww.stratfords.com/respiratory/northsafety_7700.html
Publications: (# of pages)
All about Wax (4)
Anthraquinone dyes & pigments (3)
Art painting (5)
Biological hazards (9)
Carbon monoxide (4)
D- limonite: the citrus solvent (4)
Dyes and pigments (8)
Labels: reading between the lies (6)
Oven cured polymer clays (6)
Selecting children's art materials (5)
Solvents (9)
Teaching art & theater safely (7)
Threshold limit values (2)
Understanding mss (2)
Urethane resin systems (6)
Ventilation for art buildings (6)
American Lung Association:
Fact Sheet; Occupational Lung Disease
"Harbor Freight Tools" mktdelano@harborfreight.com
"Mountain Heritage Crafters" webmeister@mhconline.com
www.processregister.com/Fans/Blowers/Suppliers/cid1127.htm
www.artmagic.org/artlinks.html
Summary and Conclusion:
After checking various papers, it appears that no scientific
epidemiological studies of gourd crafters, artists and gourd workers at risk
exist.
It should be noted that all plant species are chemical factories, which create a host of substances, many of which are harmful to the human body.
The major material in gourds is cellulose; the chief constituent of the
cell walls of plants and wood, cotton hemp, paper, etc. The remaining
content comprises hundreds of compounds and chemicals that are not well
studied; some of which may be considered harmful.
Bacterial decay, molds and other microorganisms that attack the plant are secondary chemicals, which are considered irritants that can also be harmful.
It is well documented1 in a study of woodworkers, that eighty
percent or more of all Adenocarcinomas diseases such as allergies, lung
problems, asthma, dermatitis and cancer are the result of dust. Some of us
mistakenly want to believe that "Mother Nature" loves us. But she doesn’t
care if you want a food or poison - she can provide it. If you want to cure
cancer or to cause cancer "Go To Nature".
The gourd craftsperson and all gourd workers must protect their working place from gourd
pollution; do not let the dust and other irritants contaminate your home.
Protect yourself, your children and your workplace. Furthermore, if not
respected, any or all products utilized in gourd crafting are potential
hazards to the health and welfare of the user and those people that frequent
the gourding work area.
As new information is researched, and new solutions are found in this
field, this report may need updating. It is important that
all people involved with gourds, promote the health and welfare of all gourd
workers amongst their peers.
No longer can we tolerate the recruitment of new gourd workers2
without providing them with educational health information. All gourd
classes, gourd clubs, State and National gourd societies must adopt in their
constitutions, provisions to protect their members. Gourd vendors, gourd
seed companies, gourd growers and anyone selling or distributing raw gourds
should cooperate by adding "Warning Labels" regarding the potential health
hazards of crafting gourds.
The same health warnings and laws that govern miners, fiber workers,
lumberjacks and the American public from tobacco and other potentially
dangerous materials, should be extended to the gourd worker.
Health and safety hidden agendas for whatever purpose, are wrong. No man,
woman or child should be sacrificed for monetary gain or other agendas.
Joseph G. Koss.
Indiana Gourd Grower, Gourd Advocate, Gourd Artist, W2 Marine
Veteran, Indiana Art Education Teacher, Retired. Member ISTA, IGS, & AGS,
Duneland Image Makers, Duneland Woodcarvers.
Valparaiso, Indiana
December 7, 2002
1
Mona Russell: Safety Director, United Scenic Artist Local 829 IATSE2
Gourd Worker: Any person who crafts gourds, is a member of a gourd related organization, participates in gourd classes or is new to the hobby of gourd crafting.-------------------
This dissertation may be used for the purpose of informing
gourd workers of the dangers of gourd pollution and possible solutions to a
healthier working environment; This document may not be edited
without permission. Permissions granted will be recorded. The use of this
document maybe obtained by contacting.
Joseph G. Koss <joegkoss@ niia.net