Porcelain enamel glass (frit) has been manufactured industrially for over 100 years. Many of the glass formulations have a long history of successful application and safe consumer use. With increasing knowledge of the physiological and ecological effects of various materials in our daily lives, new regulations are being promulgated at an ever-increasing frequency. The Porcelain Enamel Institute has been active in assisting regulators in developing common-sense approaches to control of various metal compounds used. Of critical concern is the short & long-term exposure of the public & workers using these materials through wastewater, air, & municipal waste treatment facilities that handle effluents. Many of the metal compounds, oxides of these in many cases are used in porcelain enamel ground coat formulations. This paper illustrates the limits of exposure.
