You might want to pick up a better mask, because the silica particles are veeery veeery small.
They aren't even effectively stopped by some HEPA filters. That's why they are so bad.
I have the kind with the two little side thingies, it's made from rubber and forms nicely to the face. And leaves really funny marks around your cheeks. Look for a mask specific to particle dust, and get the best that you can. Uncomfortable blasted things. They fog up your glasses, and make you sweat, but when dealing with stoneware greenware you need to be careful. We want you to make lots and lots of pots for many decades to come.
Joanie, a fussy mother hen....