Adio smalţurilor de plumb
A farewell to lead glazes

Summary/Abstract: The study “ Farewell, lead glazes”, continues the research/investigation conducted in 2008 at Horezu – an important centre of traditional pottery in Romania. The research was meant to detect professional diseases of the potters, especially the hazardous impact of lead glazes on the human body. At the present stage of the research, in cooperation with doctor G. D. – the potters’ family doctor, I drew up a general evaluation of the toxicity of the lead glazes used by potters taking into account the conclusions of the observation files in the surgery, the results of the self-evaluation in 2008 and of the medical tests (the lead concentration in the blood). At first, the potters rejected the idea that their health was endangered but some of them, mostly young potters, have given up using lead glazes altogether, turning their homes into guesthouses where tourists can see demonstrations in real pottery workshops. A break has been made, we hope that in a few years we will be able to eventually say: “ Farewell, lead glazes!”

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