There seems to be little news of the restrictions now in place at the Bullseye factory in the US. It now seems they are being sued by residents in the area...
So what happens now? Will there be limited stock in the UK?
I'm surprised no news has come from Warmglass as yet. What does everyone think/know about the situation?
I saw something yesterday on one of the Facebook groups about filtration systems, but I didn't have chance to read it properly and I cannot recall which site it was on.
I was disappointed, but not at all surprised to read about the litigation issue.
From everything I have read, Bullseye acted as swiftly as they possibly could - they had been operating within the legal parameters set by the government, but as soon as this came to their attention they immediately suspended manufacturing involving the use of the two named elements (cadmium & arsenic) but they also suspended chromium too, requesting testing themselves rather than it being imposed. They appear to have been willing to co-operate fully and be completely open, so I am not sure how much more they could have done.
Stained Glass Supplies (Glasgow) facebook page has posted up several interesting reports. To be honest I'm not sure about the data at present, and I think that more sampling and analysis needs to be done to be sure that Bullseye and Uroborus are the sources of these contaminants as there are many other potential sources - from other industries and even the wood preservatives in your back yard. Mosses are used as air pollution indicators (http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news-and-media/news/mosses-provide-early-warning-air-pollution), but would need to understand a lot more about how they work with these metals. There has been a lot of media finger pointing, but I think that this report is more balanced http://wantonempiricist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/cadmium-arsenic-and-glass-manufacturing.html
I gather that some glass suppliers are limiting how much of some of the colours they will sell to you. To avoid hoarding.
Yes, Warm Glass were limiting sales to two sheets of suspended colours I believe. Not helped by those going out (US Based) buying up all available stock, 'just in case'.
Interestingly, I've just quickly read somewhere in an article that arsenic levels are much higher in Oregon because of 'it's volcanic past' - and elsewhere, comments that all contaminants listed could have come from other sources (factories I think) that have been in the area longer than Bullseye.
Thanks for the added into guys.
I understand that they have done all that they can, must be a massive knock on their business. Do you think they will be able to move on? Or could this be the end of Bullseye glass?
I think it seems such massive news and nothings really been said. I only saw about it because a friend posted the discontinued list on facebook.
Quote from: anditsinthefish on March 07, 2016, 12:14:19 PM
Do you think they will be able to move on? Or could this be the end of Bullseye glass?
No, absolutely not.
It may mean a delay if they have to change the formulation, or install new filtration systems - they've already announced intent to install a 'baghouse' system, which apparently is for filtration.
I've only heard of Uroboros and Bullseye affected, not Spectrum so either they've got alternative recipes or better filtration.
I guess we don't hear much because it's in one town in the USA. Bullseye have been posting updates on their website - there's a lot of hysteria abound on some of the Facebook groups, and in the US media, but I think we won't hear much from Bullseye until they've got some actual answers.
Incidentally, it's not a discontinued list, it's a suspended list. Suspended until they can solve the problem, although I understand they've stopped using arsenic, which apparenlty isn't used for colour, it's a flux or something, but I guess they can cope without out (Uroboros apparenlty don't use it anyway)
Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I tested samples of the grass just outside my shed extraction outlet. Obviously I know it's all about scale, I just hope the whole thing doesn't lead to some sweeping legislation that the UK adopts as well, that might affect what we do in our little sheds.
It's the shock statements that annoy me, like: "100x the state safe level" or whatever, which sounds lots worse than 30 nanograms per cubic meter (http://www.deq.state.or.us/nwr/docs/metalsem/Cadmium_MultCo.pdf - based on moss which isn't a great indicator as mentioned above). The calculated risk of cancer is 20-30 in 1 million where the daycare and schools are. Obviously, any risk that you aren't controlling isn't brilliant, but how many of those kids drink full-sugar soft drinks, or sit in the room where the parents smoke? What's the number-per-million risk of cancer from that?
It's a tangled web, isn't it? Easy to see why the locals are concerned about (as they see it) a factory spraying heavy metals and arsenic out near a school and want it looked into. But Bullseye was fully compliant with standards as they were; and they seem co-operative and prepared to move towards whatever new standards they want to impose. These things are bound to change as new info turns up.
The whole matter gets complicated by fear, ignorance, panic, previous evil corporate cover-ups; and people spotting an opportunity to sue someone for the price of a new house.
My guess is that Bullseye will do what they need to do, and the fuss will die down. It may make the glass pricier, and change the available range.
Quote from: Moira HFG on March 08, 2016, 11:53:19 AM
The whole matter gets complicated by fear, ignorance, panic, previous evil corporate cover-ups; and people spotting an opportunity to sue someone for the price of a new house.
My guess is that Bullseye will do what they need to do, and the fuss will die down.
Fingers crossed! :)
Someone posted this on the Facebook group: an update :)
http://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=1029
thanks, that's good news
Sounds very reasonable.
Thanks for the information guys! :)
How do effetre and the 104 manufacturers get their colours? Is it only time before the lampwork community goes through the same restrictions.
I expect Italy and China won't be as picky as America!
Nick
you could be right, the other manufacturers must be using similar formulations, however Bullseye glasses have more lead in them than most 104's. (hence EU restrictions hit them harder)
I've just read a report that construction of a baghouse filtration system is well underway;"Maggie the Baggie" !
If you look up Lani McGregor's FB site you can see pics.
Thank goodness!
Quote from: Moira HFG on March 26, 2016, 11:22:08 AM
I've just read a report that construction of a baghouse filtration system is well underway;"Maggie the Baggie" !
If you look up Lani McGregor's FB site you can see pics.
Thank goodness!
Fab news Moira!! x
Quote from: anditsinthefish on March 07, 2016, 10:06:50 AM
I'm surprised no news has come from Warmglass as yet. What does everyone think/know about the situation?
All updates have been added to the information on each restricted product page as they have happened....all looks to be settling now :)