LOOKING AT ARTS & CRAFTS FOR UNSAFE CHEMICALS

INTRODUCTION –Art Supplies Need to be Safe for Children

Some art and craft supplies contain asbestos, heavy metals, organic solvents, and other toxic ingredients. Some of these materials are known potential human carcinogens. These materials present risks to the health and safety of children using them through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.

Glues and Adhesives: (can contain these toxic ingredients: hexane, heptane, toluene, and trichloroethane)

Some of the most toxic adhesives include contact cement, rubber cement, spray adhesives, epoxy, instant glues, plastic adhesives, and model glues.

The toxic ingredients most commonly found in glues of all types are SOLVENTS. Solvent-based glues give off toxic vapors that can have a narcotic effect or cause illness when inhaled in sufficient quantity. It is the presence of solvents that can make glues problematic for children. .

Solvents can cause damage to internal organs! Solvents off-gas quickly, and children can easily breathe in the hazardous vapors. Children are at risk when solvents contact the skin. In both cases, solvents can be absorbed into the bloodstream and can then cause damage to sensitive organs.

Rubber cement, a popular glue for bonding paper, is particularly nasty because it contains hexane or heptane. This chemical is a nervous system depressant that can also cause nerve damage. Rubber cement is also extremely flammable.

Contact cement, model cements or airplane glues often contain toxic and flammable solvents. Avoid these adhesives whenever possible. Super-strong or instant bonding glues are especially dangerous to the eyes; even a small amount of vapor is intensely irritating. Spray adhesives also vaporize readily. Epoxies can cause skin irritation.

ALTERNATIVES TO TOXIC GLUES: A glue stick is a safer choice. White and yellow wood glues, such as Elmer's, have very low toxicity. White glue works well for bonding paper, cloth, wood, pottery, and other porous and semi-porous materials.

Paints and Solvents: (can contain these toxic ingredients: methyl alcohol, toluene, and turpentine)

Oil based paints contain solvents. They are used to dissolve pigment and allow paint to spread. Virtually all solvents are toxic, and many are extremely flammable.

Reduce your exposure to the solvents in paints by choosing watercolors or other water-based paints. You will avoid inhaling the solvents in the paint, and you won't need to use additional solvent for thinning or for cleaning up. If you must use a solvent-based paint, choose one with the least toxic solvents. Ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or odorless mineral spirits are less toxic than methyl alcohol, toluene, and turpentine.

Applying paint with brushes is safer than using sprays. Using spray paint increases your chances of breathing harmful particles. Buy your paints in a solid or liquid form so that you avoid exposure to dusts when mixing paints.

Extra Tip: Never dispose of leftover thinner or solvent-based paint in the sink or the trash. Take these hazardous wastes to a household hazardous waste collection facility

ALTERNATIVES TO PAINTS CONTAINING SOLVENTS: Children should be given only water-based children's paints with nontoxic pigments.

Markers and Crayons (can contain these toxic ingredients: xylene, toluene, ketone, and alcohol)

Markers include highlighters, felt-tip markers, stamping inks, and dry-erase markers.

There are basically three kinds of markers: 1) water-based, 2) alcohol-based, or 3) aromatic solvent-based. Aromatic solvent-based are the most hazardous: many use xylene or toluene. Alcohols are also volatile solvents, but they are generally not as toxic as xylene.

If the pen is labeled "permanent" it is likely to be xylene or alcohol-based. Try to choose the alcohol-based kind, marked as "low odor. Solvents have distinct odors, so sometimes a quick sniff will tell you if the marker is made with alcohol or xylene. If there is no odor at all or the marker smells slightly like vinegar, it is likely to be water-based ink. Some children’s felt tip markers scented with fruit flavors are not toxic.

ALTERNATIVES TO SOLVENT-BASED MARKERS: Use water-based markers whenever possible; they are much easier than solvent-based markers to clean up from walls and surfaces too. Markers for highlighting are usually water-based. Fine-point pens are less hazardous than wide-point markers because they do not put as much ink on the paper or as much solvent into the air.

CRAYONS: Most children's crayons are made from paraffin wax or beeswax, and are considered non-toxic. A few years ago some imported crayons were found to contain lead. To be safe, avoid crayons not made in this country. Stick with trusted names like Crayola.

Other Art and Hobby Materials

Clay: Direct damage to the lungs may result from silica or asbestos present in dry earth clays. Never mix dry clays with children in the room.

Paints, Pottery and Papier-mâché: Many other arts and crafts involve using hazardous materials. Lead is a common hazard and should not be used with children’s art projects. Lead can be found in stained-glass work, lead-based solder, some kinds of paints, and pottery glazes. Instant papier-mâché may contain asbestos fibers or lead and other metals. Stick to the good old black and white newspaper slopped in flour and water paste! It’s messier, but fun!

Others: Some art and craft projects involve processes that are inappropriate for children under the age of 12. Some examples are airbrushing, enameling, photo developing, and soldering.

Just a Few Common Sense Ideas

• Read the label and follow all directions carefully. Look for ingredient information on labels and material safety data sheets.
  
• Use product in its safest form: choose liquid instead of a powder and brush on rather than spray.
  
• Work in a well-ventilated area with an exhaust fan.
  
• Wear gloves to prevent skin contact. Special glove materials are necessary for some solvents.
  
• Be sure to extinguish all sources of flames if you are working with flammable materials.
  
• Don't eat or drink in the work area. Wash your hands after using arts supplies.
  
• Never use toxic products on items that may contact food such as cutting boards, bowls, silverware or utensils or kitchen counters.