Acrylics - health hazard
I've just been looking at the latest "the Artist's magazine" and have seen an advertisement for an air circulation/cleaner system that is attached to the easel.
Are there any health hazards attributed to acrylics? Now it has me wondering. So far my only health problem seems to be lack of sleep as I get myself too involved in my painting and don't watch the time. I paint way past the time I should be retiring for the night and am feeling overtired when I have to get up at 1/4 to 6 for work.
Alison F
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lea Sapsford on -
I have no idea. However, I will ask my art teacher tomorrow and let you know. Lea
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Permalink Reply by Nina Cringan on -
Interesting. I don't see how that could be unless you are going to eat it. But what is not hazardous. Even the air we breathe. I don't think I would worry about it.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Muller on -
Allison, my understanding is that acrylics are non-toxic. I think the air cleaner you saw is meant for people using dusty things such as pastels and charcoal and perhaps even oils. I have always believed that oils generally speaking are toxic (some colors are worse than others) as well as the " powders" ( bronze, gold, etc.) used in some traditional forms of stenciling. I know a lot of artists from my decorative painting days that have developed allergies, etc. from using oil paints and have had to switch to another medium. Another problem can occur when using aerosols - paints, sealers, etc. so an air filtration system would help there too. I think you are safe as long as you don't fall asleep and hit your head on an easel or table : )
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Permalink Reply by Tony Haas on -
That's incorrect Sharon, while student ranges of both acrylics and oils are generally non toxic. Artist grade acrylics can have the same range of pigments as artist oils. So may contain cadmium, cobalt and other toxic pigments.
Not that that should scare anyone as they perfectly safe when used correctly and sensible precautions are taken like washing hands, not putting the brush in your mouth etc...
Sharon Muller said:Allison, my understanding is that acrylics are non-toxic.
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Permalink Reply by Tony Haas on
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With all paints watercolours, oils and acrylics what makes a colour toxic or not, is the pigment, not what kind of paint it is. Artist ranges of acrylics can use toxic pigments. They're no real problem as they're not loose powder but bound together in the sticky body of the paint. So sensible precautions and cleanliness will be all you need to do.
If you want to avoid any hazard then you can select your colours from pigments that are non toxic. This applies to all kinds of paint, none are inherently more toxic than any other. Even watercolours can use toxic pigments.
But to eliminate some of these pigments would be a shame and you'd miss out on some of the most intense colours !
Don't let the word toxic scare you. Keep it in perspective, it doesn't mean it deadly poisonous. It's just an advisory that if you eat your paint or spread large amounts on your skin it might not be good for you !
Tony
Alison Flannigan said:Are there any health hazards attributed to acrylics?
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Permalink Reply by Sharon Muller on
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Thanks for the clarification on acrylics Tony! I mis-spoke. I am aware that pigments can be toxic (in varying degrees ) and the binders and other ingredients necessary to make a pigment useable may also be toxic.
The way it was taught to me is that overall acrylics usually have very little actual pigment in them. Also, clean up is with water as opposed to turp. Because of this acrylics are generally considered safe/ non-toxic.
However, there are a multitude of new products, acrylic and otherwise, since I took my class and I am not familiar with the content of these newer products and my info may be dated.
Sharon
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Permalink Reply by Howard Cowdrick on -
You may want to consider going to the sites of the major paint manufacturers, i.e. Golden or Liquitex, and see if there are safety reports (I believe that Golden has a rather extensive set of reports).
Then follow common sense. Don't eat around your work area, wash your hands regularly, if you like to smear paint then wear gloves, don't eat paint, clean up carefully. There are no guarantees as each individual is different and respond differently to chemicals and such. If you feel the air filter is advisable, then by all means, get one. I have a UV filter in my studio, not because of the paints, but, because I have gone through cancer treatments and the immune system is weak. I felt it necessary to try and keep the health as good as I can and since I spend many hours each day in the studio....the filter seemed to be a good idea.
If I worked in charcoal or pastel, I would definitely have an air cleanter/filter.
Just my humble thoughts on the subject.
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Permalink Reply by Tony Haas on
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Hi Sharon
That's probably true in budget or student acrylics but artist grade acrylics have the same very high pigment load as other types of artist grade paints. Ie They're packed as full of pigment as the binder will allow whilst still remaining workable !
The water clean up is a benefit with acrylics but you don't have to use turps / thinners with oils, either to paint or to clean if you have solvent concerns. Oil paint itself is just as safe as Acrylics (or as toxic depending on the way you look at it ! )
Tony
Sharon Muller said:
The way it was taught to me is that overall acrylics usually have very little actual pigment in them. Also, clean up is with water as opposed to turp. Because of this acrylics are generally considered safe/ non-toxic.
Sharon
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Permalink Reply by Alison Flannigan on -
Thanks everyone for your comments - I have learned a lot. if you are wondering about the advertisement it is in the April copy of the Artist's magazine page 69 - I have a friend who for years has been in the paint restoration business in Europe and last time we met I noticed how much his hands shook and I was wondering if working with oils and solvents could over the years cause nerve damage.
Of course my painting room (small bedroom) is no where near a "studio" and the air conditioning is just opening the window.
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Permalink Reply by Gunilla Wachtel on -
From what I understand most of the acrylic paints are non-toxic, if it isn't it should say. If you airbrush the paints, then you should have a proper respirator mask for it (not just a dust mask) as well as proper ventilation.
Varnish, clear-coat etc is a different matter altogether and appropriate precautions need to be made when using those.
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