Art

Wallace Foundation on Arts
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** Purchasing Safe Products for Grades K-6 **


 * In purchasing products for a particular application, alternative or substitute products should always be considered and preference give to the least-toxic product. The following list describes general types of art materials that are likely to be hazardous and suggests substitute products. Although the law does not prohibit the use of all of these materials, it is suggested that they be used with discretion and that substitutes be used whenever possible. **


 * Art and Craft Materials to Avoid and Recommended Substitutes **


 * 1. AVOID: Products that may generate an inhalation hazard. Examples include clay in dry form, powdered paints, glazes, pigments, wheat paste, and aerosols (for example, spray paints, fixatives). **


 * SUBSTITUTE: Wet or liquid non-aerosol products. (If dry products are used, they should be mixed while young children are not present.) **


 * 2. AVOID: Hazardous solvent-based products. Examples include rubber cement and its thinner, turpentine and other paint thinners, and solvent-based markers. **


 * SUBSTITUTE: Water-based glues, paints, markers. **


 * 3. AVOID: Materials that contain lead or other heavy metals. Examples include some paints, glazes, and enamels. **


 * SUBSTITUTE: Products that do not contain heavy metals. **


 * 4. AVOID: Cold water dyes or commercial dyes. **


 * SUBSTITUTE: Vegetable dyes(onion skins and so forth). **


 * 5. AVOID: Instant papier-mâché, which may contain asbestos fibers or lead or other metals from pigments in colored printing inks. **


 * SUBSTITUTE: Papier-mâché made from black and white newspaper and library or white paste (or flour and water paste). **

** Some art and craft projects involve processes that are inappropriate for young children. Some examples are airbrushing, enameling, photo developing, and soldering. Instructors are encouraged to avoid projects that would involve these processes. **

** Purchasing Art and Craft Materials for Grades 7-12 **

** Education Code Article 6, Section 32064 mandates hazard labeling of art and craft materials purchased for grades 7-12. According to this law, art and craft supplies purchased for use in grades 7-12 must bear a label disclosing the presence of hazardous ingredients, the potential health effects, and instructions for the safe of the product. The rationale for labeling assumes that students in grades 7-12 are capable of reading and understanding hazard labels on art products, and once aware of the hazard, they can take the necessary precautions to minimize exposure. Although products bearing "toxic" warning labels (for example, "harmful if swallowed," "use with adequate ventilation," "avoid skin contact’) may be purchased for use by older children, it is recommended that exposure to toxic materials be limited as much as possible. When they are used, care should be taken to ensure that the products are used in accordance with the label direction and that all cautions are observed. While not mandated by law, purchasing products that do not contain toxic ingredients or products on the list of "Art and Craft Materials Which Cannot Be Purchased for Use in Kindergarten and Grades One through Six" and "Products Acceptable for use in Grades 7-12" will provide an additional measure of safety in the classroom. **

** In some instances art and craft materials will not bear hazardous ingredient labels. If a product is not properly labeled, contact the California Department of Health Services, Food and Drug Branch for information as to whether the materials are in compliance with the labeling requirements. **

** Resources for Obtaining Information on the Toxicity of Products **

** There are a number of information sources on art and craft hazards and on products and ingredient toxicity. Follow these steps to obtain information on the toxicity of products as well as to increase general knowledge regarding the safe use of art and craft material: **


 * 1. Check the list, "Art and Craft Materials Which Cannot Be Purchased for Use in Kindergarten and Grades One Through Six." If the product is included on the list, it presents a chemical health hazard to those using it. **


 * 2. For information on the toxicity of chemicals, contact: **

** Laurie Monserrat or Karen Randles ** ** Office Of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) ** ** California Environmental Protection Agency ** ** Integrated Risk Assessment Branch ** ** 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4010 ** ** Sacramento, CA 95812 ** ** (916) 324-2829  **


 * 3. Contact the State Department of Education for information regarding updates of the Art Hazards list. The legislation requires periodic updates, and the Department of Education will furnish information about the current status of the updates. The Department of Education cannot deal with issues of toxicity, inclusion or exclusion of products from the list, or interpretation of the field safety guidelines. The basic responsibility of the Department of Education is to print and disseminate the list developed by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). **

** Nancy Carr ** ** Department of Education ** ** Visual and Performing Arts Office ** ** 1430 N Street, Suite 4309 ** ** Sacramento, CA 95814 ** ** (916) 445-5669  **

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 * 4. Contact the American Lung Association of California for further information about art hazards. This organization maintains a library of reference books, brochures, and slide or tape programs and also sponsors seminars and workshops for teachers and others interested in art hazards. By contacting the central number in Oakland, individuals can be referred to local American Lung Association offices in their area. **

** American Lung Association of California ** ** 424 Pendleton Way ** ** Oakland, CA 94621 ** ** (510) 638-5864  **


 * 5. Contact the Art and Creative Materials Institute for information on the toxicity of art materials and their certification program of art materials. **

** Art and Creative Materials Institute ** ** 1280 Main St, 2nd floor ** ** P.O. Box 479 ** ** Hanson, MA 02341 ** ** (781) 293-4100  **  ** [|http://www.acminet.org] **


 * 6. Check the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to see if the product you are considering has been recalled. [] **


 * 7. Refer to the following publications for general information regarding the safe use of art and craft materials. **

** PUBLICATIONS and LINKS **
 * [|AMIEN] is a resource for artists dedicated to providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate, and unbiased factual information about artists' materials **


 * [|Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety] a not-for-profit corporation that provides health, safety, industrial hygiene, technical services, and safety publications to the arts, crafts, museums, and theater communities. **
 * Health and the Arts Program of the University of Illinois at Chicago **
 * [|Online Health and Safety in the Arts Library] **
 * Poison Palette: Lack of Compliance of Toxic Art Supplies with Federal Law. **
 * (510) 644-3454 **
 * Qualley, Charles. Safety in the Art Room. Worcester, Mass.: Davis Publications, Inc., 1986. A guide to setting up a safe art classroom for various types of projects. This book includes suggestions for a safe classroom and provides information to give students before they embark on an art project. **


 * Last updated: September 29, 2009 **