| Pastels/Charcoals | Painting | Printmaking | Relief Printmaking | Silk Screening |
| Do Not Use! | Ceramics | Sculpture | Metalworking | Photography |
 | Painting - Use the least toxic hues available. Use only brushes or palette knives to apply paint; e.g. use of hands to apply toxic hues and airbrush use are unsafe. Use of hand-wiping techniques with non-toxins or slight toxins may cause temporary contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Thinners and mediums can contain turpentine, mineral spirits, or varnishes; use of these serious toxins may be eliminated by using a combination of sun-thickened linseed oil plus stand oil to thin paints and using a non-toxic brush cleaner to clean hands and brushes. Do use a fire-safety canister to contain oil soaked rags and paper until they can be disposed of because of the low flash point of oils mean that they can spontaneously combust under certain conditions. Rags may be submerged in water for additional safety. 1) Paint can enter cuts, sores, or abrasions. Pointing the brush tip with the mouth, holding the brush in the teeth, eating or smoking while painting, and failing to wash hands after working MAY RESULT IN CHRONIC POISONING. 2) Acrylic paints may contain mercury preservatives so use a reliable manufacturer. Eye, nose, and throat irritations occur from acrylic paints or mediums, probably due to the presence of small amounts of ammonia and formaldehyde. 3) The base of watercolour paints is 4-chlor-3, 5-xylenol, and Gluteraldehyde - a teratogen and irritant 4) Dusts can occur from dried and flaking paints. Use the least toxic pigments available. WHEN AIRBRUSHING ALWAYS USE A SPRAY BOOTH, FUME HOOD, OR RESPIRATOR WITH AN EXHAUST SYSTEM AND AVOID GETTING FINGERS IN THE WAY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. |
| Pastels - dust hazard. Applies to charcoal as well. Use a dust mask respirator (not a nuisance filter) when working with dusts. Use the least toxic pigments available and cover surfaces with damp newspaper to limit airborne dusts. Wear vinyl gloves (not latex due to risk of allergy to latex developing) that will prevent general contamination from nuisance materials and keep dust build-up from under fingernails and skin. Vacuum or mop instead of sweeping to clean up dusts. If making pastel sticks from powders use damp surfaces (damp newspaper covering surfaces) to limit airborne dusts, gloves, goggles with splash guard and respirator or a full face respirator, proper ventilation, and vacuum instead of sweeping dusts. Launder work clothes frequently. Try to keep studio and living area separate to prevent continual dust exposure. USE OF DRY PIGMENTS CAN BE A SERIOUS HAZARD - KEEP WORK AREA AWAY FROM LIVING AREA TO PREVENT CONTINUAL EXPOSURE TO DUST. Eliminate the use of spray fixatives. The fixative is a solvent and is not archival, eventually resulting in yellowing of the paper. Instead, stack drawing flat (with glassine or vellum between layers if you want extra protection), and the weight of the paper will imbed the pastel particles into the paper. |
| Solvents - Do not use. If solvents must be used (they really are unnecessary) use as little as possible, wear neoprene or nitrile rubber gloves (not Latex - latex gloves are not impermeable to solvents and may cause skin allergy) and respiration, keep container closed while using, use an approved fire-safety can to store waste, properly dispose of rags, and use adequate ventilation. When painting with oils solvent use may be eliminated entirely. Thin paints with a combination of sun-thickened linseed oil plus stand oil instead of using turpentine and use a non-toxic brush cleaner to clean brushes. (personal note: my primary medium is oil painting and I have been using this method since 1991 - it really works! The only problem you may encounter is if your medium is too thin - then, as the paint dries it will migrate/move and cause some wrinkling - the same problem may occur with use of poppy seed oil because of the slow drying rate of the oil. Poppy seed oil may cause some yellowing of whites.) |
| Pigments - In all areas of art creation do use the least toxic pigments available. NOTE: IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD TO MIX YOUR OWN PIGMENT. DO NOT MAKE YOUR OWN ART PIGMENTS BECAUSE OF THE EASE OF INHALATION, INGESTION, AND SKIN HAZARD. Frequently, the hazard of a raw dust pigment is greatly minimized or eliminated once it is supported by a base. |
| Printmaking - This applies to standard printmaking. Many people now are working on non-toxic printmaking techniques that include eliminating solvent use, using non-toxic pigments, and avoid heating pigments. back to top of page |
ALWAYS wear chemical respirator plus goggles with splash guard or full face respirator, gloves, and apron during all stages of printmaking. The main hazards occur during the inking and cleaning steps due to skin contact (esp. cuts and sores), heating inks, accidental ingestion, and with hand-wiping techniques. DIRECT SKIN CONTACT SHOULD NEVER BE USED TO APPLY PRINTMAKING INKS. Wash hands carefully and often with soap and water and waterless hand cleaner. NEVER WASH WITH SOLVENTS.
| Mineral spirits and turpentine are toxic and may cause allergies and dermatitis. Hazard may enter the body through the skin, by ingestion, and by inhalation. |
| HEATING GROUNDS AND INKS ON A HOTPLATE CREATE INHALATION FUMES THAT ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC. |
| DO NOT USE talc to clean residues off of rollers and to line the inside of gloves. Talc is highly toxic by inhalation and may contain asbestos. Use corn starch or baby powder. |
| Etching acids are strong skin and eye irritants and inhalation dangers. |
| Commercial soft ground often contains highly toxic solvents. |
| Xylene in hard ground should not be used. It is highly toxic by inhalation. |
| Benzine and mineral spirits are in hard and soft grounds and may cause dermatitis and eye and mucus membrane irritation. |
| Asphaltum in hard ground and rosin stop may cause skin cancer and respiratory allergies in some people. |
| Aquatint - spray paints are highly toxic because of pigments and solvents. |
| Acid preparation is highly toxic and dangerous. |
| Nitric acid etching of zinc releases small hydrogen gas bubbles. If larger areas are being bitten or a strong solution is used, the solution may get hot enough to cause the ground or gas to catch fire. |
| Nitric acid etching of both zinc and copper plates can release highly toxic nitrogen oxides, especially when large open areas are being bitten or the acid is too strong. It then becomes a strong lung irritant. A single, heavy exposure (especially if a brownish/orange gas is formed) can cause pulmonary edema and possible death, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. There is a latent effect of several hours after exposure. Latent symptoms may include migraine occurring several hours after exposure and nosebleed symptoms from single and repeated exposures. The system readily becomes sensitized to the chemical and small amount of exposure may trigger symptoms |
| Relief printmaking - Some woods, such as, boxwoods and some beeches, are toxic and may cause skin irritation and allergies. In addition, the dust from the wood is toxic if inhaled. Vacuum or mop all wood dust (instead of sweeping and dusting) even when using non-toxic varieties of wood. Use gloves, goggles and a respirator dust mask (not a nuisance filter) or full mask respirator while grinding. |
| Silk-screening - Use water based inks whenever possible. Oil based silk-screen inks are very toxic. back to top of page |
| Ceramics - 1) The toxicity of glazes is increased by heating and can cause additional hazards (e.g. pneumonia from manganese). 2) Respiration problems similar to pneumonia and asthma-type allergies can result from molds or inhalation of drying clays. 3) Sanding may result in inhalation of silica. 4)There is a physically harmful effect form prolonged exposure to cold water combined with wet clay. 5)DO NOT USE LEAD GLAZE. 6) Use a full mask respirator or dust mask respirator (not a nuisance filter) goggles, and gloves when handling dry glaze powder. 7) DO NOT SPRAY GLAZE. 8)Use special work cloths and wash them regularly. |
| KILNS - Kilns release chlorine/fluorine, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone - all highly toxic by inhalation. Chronic lung problems may occur with use of high sulfur clays, symptoms may be acute and severe. Regular inhalation at low levels can cause chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Fluorine can cause bone and teeth problems, metal fumes are toxic, and a gas-fired kiln combined with combustion of organic matter produces carbon monoxide poisoning and may result in a strong frontal headache not relieved by medication (e.g. aspirin/Tylenol). Infrared radiation released by kilns is a possible eye hazard that may result in cataracts. This can occur from looking into the kiln to check pyrometric cones without wearing approved safety goggles. ALL KILNS MUST BE VENTED DIRECTLY TO THE OUTSIDE BY A LOCAL EXHAUST SYSTEM. An overhead canopy is the best choice. |
| Sculpture - General hazards are inhalation from grinding and sanding and danger of eye damage from flying material. Precautions are use of a dust hood, respirator, wet techniques, and goggles. |
| Plaster may irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Do not sweep or dust, vacuum instead; place wet newspapers on work area surfaces to keep dust down. |
| Wax vapors are highly toxic. |
| Stone dusts are highly toxic and free silica in large amounts. For example, sandstone, soapstone, and slate may contain asbestos. New York soapstone contains asbestos. Always wear a good quality dust mask respirator (not a nuisance filter), goggles, and gloves as necessary and use water spray over the sculpture to keep the dust down. The noise hazard from pneumatic tools can affect heart circulation, blood pressure, intestines, and balance. The vibration may cause "dead" or "white" fingers. |
| Wood dusts, especially the exotics, may cause frequent skin irritations and allergies, conjunctivitis (eye infection and inflammation), hay fever, asthma, coughing, and other respiratory diseases. Wood dusts can also cause serious lung problems very similar to pneumonia and fibrosis. Highly toxic woods include the giant sequoia, cork oak, some maples, redwood, cedar, Ipe', and stave wood. Use dust mask respirator (not a nuisance filter), goggles, and gloves as necessary. |
| Raynaud's Phenomenon - loss of sensation in the hand. More common than realized. Initially symptoms are temporary but can spread to the entire hand and cause permanent damage. |
| Metalworking - Gold is the only safe metal to use. Always use metals in a well-ventilated area. Danger from gas and metal fumes include carbon monoxide poisoning from bronze and brass, metal fume fever from zinc, and nickel fumes may be fatal if inhaled and cause lung and nasal cancer. Most metals are cancerous! |
| Photography - proper ventilation is required and an eyewash fountain for first aid is necessary. Full face chemical respirator, or goggles with splash guard plus half mask chemical respirator, apron, and rubber gloves are recommended. back to top of page |
| Developers are skin and eye irritants and in many cases are a strong sensitizer creating many skin problems and injuries. Hydroquinone causes depigmentation and eye injury after 5 (five) or more years of repeated exposure. Severe poisoning can occur through skin absorption. Potassium bromide may cause systemic poisoning including somnolence, depression, lack of coordination, mental confusion, hallucinations, and skin rashes. Ingestion will cause severe poisoning or death. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES AND GOGGLES WITH SPLASH GUARD. USE TONGS. Immediately rinse skin and eyes with lots of water. |
| The continual inhalation of stop bath may cause chronic bronchitis. Contamination by the developer increases the hazard.. STOP BATHS SHOULD BE COVERED WHEN NOT IN USE. |
| Fix is slightly to moderately toxic and proper ventilation is necessary. |
| Bleach is highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion. Use gloves, goggles, and respiration along with proper ventilation. |
| Any colour processing effects are maximized. |
| Do Not Use! |
| Rubber cement and bestine can produce damage to the central and peripheral nervous system by absorption through the skin or inhalation. |
| Liquin - same as above with more severe lung damage. |
| Workable/spray fixative is a tertogen (may cause birth defects). Use adequate ventilation. Repeated exposure may cause permanent brain, nervous system, and internal organ damage. (Note of interest: fixative is not archival and will cause yellowing and deterioration of the paper) Use of fixative may be eliminated simply by stacking drawings and storing flat. The weight of the papers will embed the materials into the paper, eliminating the need for fixatives. |
| Photo mount and spray adhesive are hazardous by skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion. Inhalation may cause respiratory system irritation as well as temporary and permanent nervous system damage. |
| Aspiration of all oils and hydrocarbons may cause pneumonia. |
| Most solvents including naphtha, kerosene, and gasoline contain both benzene and possibly lead. |
| Cutting oils are a human carcinogen, moderately toxic via skin absorption, and highly toxic by ingestion. |