Health and Safety, Amaco Glazes, Underglazes, Overglazes

Amaco is dedicated to an ongoing program of safety research and awareness.  All Amaco glazes, overglazes and underglazes have been evaluated by a toxicologist and are properly labeled for safe use, according to the guidelines established by the Art and Creative Materials Institute, Inc.  AMACO glazes are labeled for safety in accordance with ASTM D-4236.

Special Information for Massachusetts

Federal law requires the use of non-toxic products in grades K-6 and requires art materials labeling that confirms to the ASTM D-4236 Standard.  Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, children should not be permitted to use art material products labeled "not recommended for the use of children."  Products with this statement may not be sold in school systems in states with laws prohibiting the sale of such products to pre-kindergarten or grades 1-6.

Massachusetts has special regulations relating to lead bearing products.  These restrict the sale of leaded glazes, Underglaze and overglazes in settings where children under eighteen years of age, or mentally handicapped or impaired individuals may use them or be exposed to their use.  Such settings include, but are not limited to, schools, nursing homes, camps, recreational centers, churches, etc.

Details of Massachusetts regulations including lit of leaded glazes 

Massachusetts law allows lead bearing glazes to be used by artists, crafts people and individuals over the age of eighteen as long as they comply with the provisions listed above.  

Note that very few Amaco glazes are currently being produced with lead.

All AMACO glazes are either AP (Non-Toxic) or CL (cautions required.)

Lead an/or Cadmium Content and Release Information for all AMACO glazes.  

The following is a key to all individual glaze listings. 

(1) Dinnerware Safe.  Contains no lead or cadmium bearing ingredients.

(2) Dinnerware Safe.  Contains some lead and/or cadmium compounds but passes test for lead and cadmium release.

(3) Contains some Lead and/or Cadmium Compounts and Does Not Pass Test for Lead and Cadmium Release.  Not recommended for surfaces which come in contact with food or drink.

(4) Contains No Lead or Cadmium Beraing Ingredieents.  We do not recommend these glazes on surfaces which come in contact with food or drink due ot the soft or crackle nature of the glaze, even though they pass tests fo rlead and cadmium release.

(5) Does not pass Test for Lead and Cadmium Release Due to the Soft Crackle Nature of the Glaze.  Not recommended for surfaces which come in contact with food or drink.

Caution: None of these products should be taken internally.  Contain ingredients not suitable for ingestion or inhalation.  

Note: In order for glazes labeled (1) and (2) to be dinnerware safe they must be fired to recommended firing temperature. 

Tableware producers must have all finished ware tested and approved as sale for dinnerware through a certified laboratory due to possible variations in firing temperature and possible contamination.

Not all ceramic glazes contain lead compounds and extremely few contain cadmium.  Whether or not such glazes could be used on food containers is listed on their individual labels.  Amaco subjects all its glazes to lead release testing by an independent, approved laboratory to establish the dinnerware status of each glaze by passing the guidelines established by the FDA for dinnerware glazes.  However, in view of the new reduced guidelines established by the FDA in November 1991 and due to the many variables that can affect lead leachability in finished ware (exact firing temperature, contamination from other ware being fired in the kiln, etc.) AMACO recommends that the producer of any for sale dinnerware have it tested for leachable lead by an approved laboratory to determine whether or not it meets FDA guidelines in its own category BEFORE IT IS PUT ON THE MARKET.  

It is impossible for any glaze manufacturer to guarantee the finished properties of its products, since application and firing are critical factors over which the supplier has no control.  Table producers are responsible for complying with FDA guidelines for lead release.  Any statements concerning dinnerware safety must be confirmed by the producer of the products through lead release testing by an approved laboratory.

AMACO Product Encyclopedia and Glaze Safety Brochure

* The above statements taken from 2007 AMACO Catalog.