Pastel safety/alternatives
bij...@my-dejanews.com
I'm trying to find out about the safety of soft pastels, and possible
alternatives. I was using pastels in my house for about four months, before
I found out about how dangerous the dust can be. I had been having asthma
most of that time, but didn't put two and two together. Since then, I've
heard a lot of conflicting information regarding pastels. A few local
artists told me that they are VERY dangerous, can cause white lung/black lung
disease (I don't know what that is), and that they will not use them unless
they are in a special studio and use a face mask. Apparently there is both a
concern about inhaling the toxic pigments, and simply about dust accumulation
in one's lungs. I've also heard that the cadmium, once inhaled, can lead to a
variety of forms of cancer.
However, I have also talked to some artists and art teachers who don't see
pastels as dangerous at all. They say to just vaccuum, and make sure that
you don't put your fingers in your mouth. I haven't been using pastels
indoors for the last few months, because I want to find out what the bottom
line is here. I've been thinking about giving them up entirely, but so far
it's my favorite medium. I have also tried oil pastels, but have difficulty
achieving nice blended effects, or precise lines. I'm also curious whether
conte crayons pose the same health risks as soft pastels.
Is there anyone who knows just how dangerous pastels are? Also, does anyone
have recommendations for an alternative medium that might behave similarly to
pastels but not be as dangerous?
I'd really appreciate your help. My email address is meli...@bu.edu.
Thanks,
Melissa
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Jeff Gruszynski
> I'm trying to find out about the safety of soft pastels, and possible
> alternatives. I was using pastels in my house for about four months, before
> I found out about how dangerous the dust can be. I had been having asthma
> most of that time, but didn't put two and two together. Since then, I've
> heard a lot of conflicting information regarding pastels. A few local
> artists told me that they are VERY dangerous, can cause white lung/black lung
> disease (I don't know what that is), and that they will not use them unless
> they are in a special studio and use a face mask. Apparently there is both a
> concern about inhaling the toxic pigments, and simply about dust accumulation
> in one's lungs. I've also heard that the cadmium, once inhaled, can lead to a
> variety of forms of cancer.
Here's a web site for you.
http://www.artswire.org:70/1/csa
http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa/arthazards/visualarts/paintdrw
The 2nd URL (part of the first sitting on a different machine) has info
specific to pastel. It's a little scary. It does recommend switching
to oil pastels.
Jeff
--
Molly Fide
>Is there anyone who knows just how dangerous pastels are? Also, does anyone
>have recommendations for an alternative medium that might behave similarly to
>pastels but not be as dangerous?
Toxicity problems are not confined to pastels. Most artist
materials have some element of hazard involved unless
they are those made 'safe for children.' There are numerous
books on the subject of artist health and safety that you
should research if you really want to be up-to-date on the
subject. My references are several year's old so I won't
even site them. I'd advise doing a Web search using the
words "artist health" and you should find all sorts of cross
links to various references and resources. Molly F.
Molly Fide
>Here's a web site for you.
>
>http://www.artswire.org:70/1/csa
>http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa/arthazards/visualarts/paintdrw
Excellent references. Here is something clipped from
the CSA site:
Written and telephone inquiries about health hazards in the
arts will be answered by the Art Hazards Information Center of
the Center for Safety in the Arts. !!! The Information Center has a
variety of written materials available on this subject. !!!
Write: Center for Safety in the Arts
5 Beekman Street, New York, N.Y. 10038.
Telephone: 212/227-6220
NOTE::: CSA is partially supported with public funds from the National
Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, the
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York
State Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Training and Education Program.
Marilyn
>
> bij...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> > I'm trying to find out about the safety of soft pastels, and possible
> > alternatives. I was using pastels in my house for about four months, before
> > I found out about how dangerous the dust can be. I had been having asthma
> > most of that time, but didn't put two and two together. Since then, I've
> > heard a lot of conflicting information regarding pastels. A few local
> > artists told me that they are VERY dangerous, can cause white lung/black lung
> > disease (I don't know what that is), and that they will not use them unless
> > they are in a special studio and use a face mask. Apparently there is both a
> > concern about inhaling the toxic pigments, and simply about dust accumulation
> > in one's lungs. I've also heard that the cadmium, once inhaled, can lead to a
> > variety of forms of cancer.
>
>
> http://www.artswire.org:70/1/csa
> http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa/arthazards/visualarts/paintdrw
>
> specific to pastel. It's a little scary. It does recommend switching
> to oil pastels.
>
> Jeff
> --
I haven't checked into the sites above, but at art college we read
books on the hazards of art materials.
For pastels
The first step towards safe use is the awareness of the potential danger
Second use a dust buster to vacuum the dust after each session.
Third always wear a dust mask.
a user,
Marilyn
Tom Hart
From: Molly Fide, mo...@nomon.com
Date: 23 Jul 98 14:23:30 GMT
In article <35b74...@oracle.zianet.com> Molly Fide, mo...@nomon.com
writes:
>>http://www.artswire.org:70/1/csa
>>http://artsnet.heinz.cmu.edu:70/0/csa/arthazards/visualarts/paintdrw
>
>Excellent references. Here is something clipped from
>the CSA site:
I also find this to be a helpful source of information. However, I have
for a long time been struck by the lack of specific, practical and clear
safety advice (especially as relates to oil painting) in all the
literature that I've seen. Even a book as comprehensive as Artist Beware
seems be full of charts and lists without much specific advice, as I
recall. If it's there, it's so buried in the (albeit necessary) technical
writing that I fear many folks give up looking for answers to their own
concerns and problems. All the painting "how to" books I've seen just
about ignore the topic entirely. (I imagine there are some liability
considerations for authors here.)
Anybody know of good, pracitical and clear safety literature regarding
oil painting (aside from the pretty good site mentioned above)?
Thanks,
Tom
Molly Fide
>Anybody know of good, pracitical and clear safety literature regarding
>oil painting (aside from the pretty good site mentioned above)?
I'm puzzled by your request. Maybe if you could post
some of the specific concerns you have about
oil painting someone could either answer for you or
direct you to a reference. I think the known hazards
of oil painting -- of which there aren't that many really --
are well documented. None of that is a substitute for
good common sense when handling materials of any
kind which are toxic or potentially can be toxic. Aside
from toxicity of the materials, safety in the studio is
applicable to all sorts of things beside oil painting.
Like cleanliness, good ventilation, disposal of toxic
and flammable waste, etc. All of this is covered in
just about any safety discussion of studio practices.
Molly F.
Tom Hart
In article <35be0...@oracle.zianet.com> Molly Fide, mo...@nomon.com
writes:
>In article <35bc8de5.0@news>, tj...@hamp.hampshire.edu says...
>
>>Anybody know of good, pracitical and clear safety literature regarding
>>oil painting (aside from the pretty good site mentioned above)?
>
>I'm puzzled by your request.
<snip>
Molly -
Sorry. I wasn't particularly specific in my post because I really meant
it more as a comment on what I see as the paucity of clear and specific
safety advice in the literature. (I'm speaking specifically about oil
painting here.)
There are, of course, several significant areas of concern regarding oil
paint, at least three of which are: (1) the toxicity of pigments (high
toxicity in many cases); (2) inhalation of solvent vapors (i.e.
turpentine) and (3) fire hazard issues relating to solvents and discarded
material (cleaning rags, etc.).
I do use "good common sense". But I would like to be armed with a little
more than that when dealing with potentially dangerous materials. The web
site we have discussed earlier in this thread has some very clear,
specific and helpful advice regarding the amount of ventilation required
for indoor oil painting. And I have received some appreciated tips from
this newsgroup regarding safe disposal of painting materials. But I
continue to be amazed at how difficult this information is to find and
wonder why it is lacking in nearly every oil painting technique book that
I have used. Unfortunately, the warning to "use adequate ventilation" or
to "dispose of flammable materials properly" is often as far as it goes.
So I'm not really asking a specific safety question here. I'm just
wondering what sources people have found to be clear and helpful. Again,
the website mentioned earlier is great, but somewhat limited in actual
practical advice. Others have found "Artist Beware" to be a valuable
tool, but I have been disappointed in it and find it to be unclear in
several areas.
Thanks,
Tom
Jeff Gruszynski
> There are, of course, several significant areas of concern regarding oil
> paint, at least three of which are:
> (1) the toxicity of pigments (high toxicity in many cases);
Anything with lead, cadmium, chromium, etc. are toxic. At least with
oil paints you don't have the air-borne hazard. The only major issue is
getting it on your hands and failing to wash them somewhat promptly or
before eating. There is the toxic waste issue of these paints from
washing brushes or disposing of "failed" paintings. There was a big ado
about this a few years ago which seems to have settled to a dull buzz.
> (2) inhalation of solvent vapors (i.e. turpentine) and
The hazards of real turpentine are similar to inhaling kerosene
(hydrocarbons) for toxicity. There is also a fire hazard in enclosed
spaces. Using minimal amounts and containers with narrower mouths
should reduce the amount of vaporization (think wine glasses :-) ).
Odorless thinners have fewer volatile components to vaporize.
> (3) fire hazard issues relating to solvents and discarded
> material (cleaning rags, etc.).
Linseed oil hardens exothermically (releases heat as it chemically
hardens) which makes oil-soaked rags a fire hazard. Generally you
should treat rags as if they could spontaneously combust when discarded.
This means don't keep them inside the house or a warm garage in a
plastic garbage can. If you're feeling paranoid, the ideal spot is a
metal, well-sealing garbage can or flammable hazmat container, sitting
outside, away from buildings. Usually painting aren't a fire hazard
as they "dry". The volatiles released probably aren't real good for
you.
Jeff
Tom Hart
From: Jeff Gruszynski, je...@ptp.hp.com
Date: 30 Jul 1998 01:56:13 GMT
In article <6pojrt$rdr$1...@hpscit.sc.hp.com> Jeff Gruszynski,
je...@ptp.hp.com writes:
Jeff -
Those were great (and very specific) responses to my areas of concern.
Thanks.
Tom
Bob C
>
> Tom Hart (tj...@hamp.hampshire.edu) wrote:
> > There are, of course, several significant areas of concern regarding oil
> > paint, at least three of which are:
>
> > (1) the toxicity of pigments (high toxicity in many cases);
>
> Anything with lead, cadmium, chromium, etc. are toxic. At least with
> oil paints you don't have the air-borne hazard. The only major issue is
> getting it on your hands and failing to wash them somewhat promptly or
> before eating. There is the toxic waste issue of these paints from
> washing brushes or disposing of "failed" paintings. There was a big ado
> about this a few years ago which seems to have settled to a dull buzz.
>
> > (2) inhalation of solvent vapors (i.e. turpentine) and
>
> The hazards of real turpentine are similar to inhaling kerosene
> (hydrocarbons) for toxicity. There is also a fire hazard in enclosed
> spaces. Using minimal amounts and containers with narrower mouths
> should reduce the amount of vaporization (think wine glasses :-) ).
> Odorless thinners have fewer volatile components to vaporize.
>
Correct me if I'm wrong, but another hazard of real turpentine is that
it can be absorbed through the skin, which becomes another major issue
concerning the toxic pigments described in (1), since these may be
dissolved in the turpentine.
- Bob C.
Molly Fide
>Linseed oil hardens exothermically (releases heat as it chemically
>hardens) which makes oil-soaked rags a fire hazard.
> If you're feeling paranoid, the ideal spot is a
>metal, well-sealing garbage can or flammable hazmat container, sitting
>outside, away from buildings.
If it's a rag that you want to continue using, it's okay
to spread it out and hang it to 'dry' since this will
prevent any heat buildup. It's the rags that get wadded
up and left lying or put into confined but uncapped
containers with others where heat can build that are
the hazard. But all of these points are amply covered
in the safety hazard information available to artists
so I don't know why the person who began this thread
persists in claiming their is insufficient info. Smacks
of trolling to me. Molly F.
Marilyn
Wow, it is enough to make a person give up art work all together.
First, we have "notes from a failure," which I found excellent
and
which had a ring of honesty to it.
Now, we have these toxic warnings.
So I am thinking that we endanger our lives to create something
nobody (or hardly anybody) wants?
This could be a little discouraging.
The question is why do we continue ?
Marilyn
Charles Eicher
> Wow, it is enough to make a person give up art work all together.
>
> First, we have "notes from a failure," which I found excellent
> and
> which had a ring of honesty to it.
>
> Now, we have these toxic warnings.
>
> So I am thinking that we endanger our lives to create something
> nobody (or hardly anybody) wants?
>
> This could be a little discouraging.
Well, consider this: There are plenty of oil painters (and even pastel
users) who live until a ripe old age. However, just to pick the most
dramatic example I know of, ALL the plastic and fiberglass artists from the
early 1970s are dead from cancer. The big problem is if you happen to use a
newly developed medium (like the fiberglass sculpture from the 70s) before
people discover the toxicities. Fortunately, almost all pigments have known
qualities, and its easy to avoid the problems.
> The question is why do we continue ?
It sure beats other jobs that you could die from toxic exposures, like for
example, applying asbestos insulation to the inside of Navy ships.
----------------
Charles Eicher
cei...@inav.net
----------------
Marilyn
Well yes, you are right.
An artist I know died before she knew the dangers of copper etching.
Dangerous jobs? My father was killed in a work accident (peace time)
a year after spending a 2-year stint on a mine sweeper in the Pacific.
My last question was rhetorical. By continuing we elude failure.
Marilyn
Tom Hart
From: Molly Fide, mo...@nomon.com
Date: 30 Jul 98 14:54:53 GMT
In article <35c08...@oracle.zianet.com> Molly Fide, mo...@nomon.com
writes:
>If it's a rag that you want to continue using, it's okay
>to spread it out and hang it to 'dry' since this will
>prevent any heat buildup. It's the rags that get wadded
>up and left lying or put into confined but uncapped
>containers with others where heat can build that are
>the hazard. But all of these points are amply covered
>in the safety hazard information available to artists
>so I don't know why the person who began this thread
>persists in claiming their is insufficient info. Smacks
>of trolling to me. Molly F.
Molly-
I think I'm the person you're referring to here. I didn't begin the
thread, but I stated the opinion that clear and specific safety advice is
not easy to find. When you said that you were confused by my
point/question, I rephrased it (once), and so I'm sorry that you find my
posts to be repetitive and trolling (whatever that means, I assume it's
no compliment). It's fine that you don't agree with my assertion, but if
you find this thread boring, you don't have to add to it, and you
certainly don't have to impugn motives to those who are participating in
good faith.
I'm sorry that you are annoyed by my question. I am no newcomer to the
study of art, although I am relatively new to oil painting. I guess you
and I just disagree that specific safety information (such as the helpful
information you relay above) is either amply, clearly or easily available
to artists. I admit that it's there if you search for it, but it should
be easier to find.
Tom
Molly Fide
>Correct me if I'm wrong, but another hazard of real turpentine is that
>it can be absorbed through the skin, which becomes another major issue
>concerning the toxic pigments described in (1), since these may be
>dissolved in the turpentine.
Minor correction:
Pigments would disperse but not dissolve in turpentine.
Some of the organic dyes used in oil paints would dissolve.
M.F.