This dust contains silica, which can hang in the air for hours and damage your lungs.
Clay is one of the widely available raw materials for creating ceramic objects. Different types of clay and combinations of clay with different variations of silica and other minerals result in various types of ceramic pottery. When working with clay, it is important to protect yourself from inhaling the powder that results from dried clay. This dust contains silica, which can hang in the air for hours and damage your lungs. To protect yourself, wear a mask, understand what ingredients are in the clay you are using, and use premixed, wet clay bodies.