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"No label can be a perfect guarantee that an art product contains no toxins of any kind," says Fanning.
"But our approach is very conservative."
For those of us who wish to be extra cautious, follow our advice below.
The Perils of Paint
The primary toxins in certain art supplies are chemical solvents, which are substances that can dissolve other substances to create a solution. In paints, solventsÑincluding methyl alcohol, which can cause blindness if swallowed, and toluene, linked to kidney and liver damageÑdissolve pigments and allow paint to spread evenly. Also, some pigments in art paints can contain highly toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead, says the Washington Toxics Coalition.
"Paints in the ACMI program, even oil paints, very rarely contain solvents," says Fanning. "Solvents may be contained in sprays and fixatives, some permanent markers, mediums and varnishes, silkscreen inks, etching grounds, rubber cement and some other adhesives, enamels and lacquers, and turpentines."
What to do: Though the base formulas of water-based paints do not contain solvents and are therefore safer than those of oil paints, Fanning says it's the pigments in any type of paint that can be the most problematic. Look for the AP seal on any color of paint you buy, even watercolors.
If you use oil-based paints, make sure you use AP-certified oil paint thinners and brush cleaners. Children should only use water-based AP children's paint.
Crayon and Marker Madness
There are three types of markers: water-based, alcohol-based, and aromatic solvent-based. Aromatic solvent-based markers are the most toxicÑmany contain xylene, a neuro-, kidney-, reproductive-, and respiratory toxin, says the Washington Toxics Coalition. Alcohol-based markers contain toxins, but they're not as potent as xylene, says the Coalition.
As for crayons, they no longer contain talc and are made from beeswax or paraffin. ACMI mandates that all children's crayons under its watch be AP nontoxic. "Industrial" crayons may contain toxic pigments and are not evaluated by ACMI.
What to do: Avoid alcohol- and solvent-based markers, both of which are often marked "permanent" or "waterproof." Look for water-based markers with an AP label. If you need dry-erase markers for white boards, look for those marked "low-odor," which are alcohol-based and less toxic than other kinds.
Clay Calamity
Potential hazards abound in a potter's studio. According to the EPA, certain ceramic glazes contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, and lead. Firing glazes in a kiln can further release toxins into the air, says the EPA. In addition, the clay itself contains silica dust, a respiratory toxin. As for popular children's clay, be cautious with polymer "modeling" clay, for the reasons stated in the "Labels to Look For" section.
What to do: If you have a home kiln, make sure it's properly ventilated outside.Working with wet clay minimizes the silica you may breathe in. Also, clean up with wet mops and rags to avoid spreading dust.
Keep children out of a pottery studio with an on-site kiln, and make sure they work only with wet clay to limit silica exposure. Check the labels of any glazes for an AP seal. When choosing play clays, stick with Play-doh types that dry when exposed to air, or make your own (see resources).
Gluey Goodness
Many readers may remember using model glues and rubber cement as childrenÑwhich are two of the most toxic kinds of glues available. Rubber cement is especially dangerous, as it contains hexane or heptane, potent neurotoxins.
What to do: That elementary school standby, white Elmer's glue, is much less toxic than other kinds of glue. Yellow wood glue, white library paste, and mucilage are also good choices.
Finding Alternatives
Here's what else you need to know:
- Look for the AP or CP seal.
- When possible, avoid products with a warning label of any kind.
- To find out which chemicals are in a given product, check its Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which lists ingredients and potential health hazards, and can be obtained from the manufacturer.
- By law, US schools cannot give art supplies with any hazard warning to K-6 school children. California provides a list of prohibited art supplies.
- To find nontoxic and green alternatives to common art supplies, or recipes for making your own, see the resources box below.
Resources
Education:
Arts and Creative Materials Institute, 781/293-4100.
Healthy Child Healthy World, 310/820-2030.
Washington Toxics Coalition, 206/632-1545.
Green Art Supplies:
Better Basics for the Home by Annie Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1997). This bible of nontoxic living contains recipes for making your own art materials.
Budget Art Materials, 866/438-8080. Green, nontoxic art supplies.
Ecochoices.com, 626/969-3707. Low-impact art supplies.
Homemade Finger Paints:
Ever see a child use finger paints and not put their colorful, gooey fingers in their mouths? Protect their health and let them have fun using this homemade finger paint recipe that is free of synthetic dyes and pigments.
1 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. water
1/3 cup soap flakes melted with 1/2 cup boiling water
juice dyes (see below)
Make your own soap flakes by grating a bar of homemade hand soap (available in your health food store) until you have 1/3 of a cup of soap flakes.
Combine the cornstarch, water, and melted soap in a bowl. Stir to blend. Let the mixture set until it has become thick. Divide into separate bowls, and stir in juice dyes for color.
How to Make Juice Dyes
1/2 cup of plant material to make the desired color (see below).
Blue: blueberries, red onion skins.
Brown: walnut hulls, paprika.
Green: oak bark, crab apple leaves, and bark.
Orange: yellow onion skins, oats.
Purple: purple grapes.
Red: cranberries, beets.
Tan: coffee and tea.
Yellow: apple tree bark, white onion skins, turmeric.
Use the juice straight from thawed berries, or juice drained from canned beets. If using fresh berries, fruit, walnut hulls, tea, or other plant matter, combine the plant material with 1 cup of water in a pan and simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour or so, adding more water as it evaporates. Mix colors for hue variations.
From Better Basics for the Home, by Annie Bond, Healthy Living editor for Care2.com.
Reprinted with permission from Co-op America, a national nonprofit that harnesses economic powerÑthe strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplaceÑto create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pagesª directory of green businesses, and other green living resources, call 800/58-GREEN or visit www.coopamerica.org.
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"But our approach is very conservative."
For those of us who wish to be extra cautious, follow our advice below.
The Perils of Paint
The primary toxins in certain art supplies are chemical solvents, which are substances that can dissolve other substances to create a solution. In paints, solventsÑincluding methyl alcohol, which can cause blindness if swallowed, and toluene, linked to kidney and liver damageÑdissolve pigments and allow paint to spread evenly. Also, some pigments in art paints can contain highly toxic metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead, says the Washington Toxics Coalition.
"Paints in the ACMI program, even oil paints, very rarely contain solvents," says Fanning. "Solvents may be contained in sprays and fixatives, some permanent markers, mediums and varnishes, silkscreen inks, etching grounds, rubber cement and some other adhesives, enamels and lacquers, and turpentines."
What to do: Though the base formulas of water-based paints do not contain solvents and are therefore safer than those of oil paints, Fanning says it's the pigments in any type of paint that can be the most problematic. Look for the AP seal on any color of paint you buy, even watercolors.
If you use oil-based paints, make sure you use AP-certified oil paint thinners and brush cleaners. Children should only use water-based AP children's paint.
Crayon and Marker Madness
There are three types of markers: water-based, alcohol-based, and aromatic solvent-based. Aromatic solvent-based markers are the most toxicÑmany contain xylene, a neuro-, kidney-, reproductive-, and respiratory toxin, says the Washington Toxics Coalition. Alcohol-based markers contain toxins, but they're not as potent as xylene, says the Coalition.
As for crayons, they no longer contain talc and are made from beeswax or paraffin. ACMI mandates that all children's crayons under its watch be AP nontoxic. "Industrial" crayons may contain toxic pigments and are not evaluated by ACMI.
What to do: Avoid alcohol- and solvent-based markers, both of which are often marked "permanent" or "waterproof." Look for water-based markers with an AP label. If you need dry-erase markers for white boards, look for those marked "low-odor," which are alcohol-based and less toxic than other kinds.
Clay Calamity
Potential hazards abound in a potter's studio. According to the EPA, certain ceramic glazes contain toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, and lead. Firing glazes in a kiln can further release toxins into the air, says the EPA. In addition, the clay itself contains silica dust, a respiratory toxin. As for popular children's clay, be cautious with polymer "modeling" clay, for the reasons stated in the "Labels to Look For" section.
What to do: If you have a home kiln, make sure it's properly ventilated outside.Working with wet clay minimizes the silica you may breathe in. Also, clean up with wet mops and rags to avoid spreading dust.
Keep children out of a pottery studio with an on-site kiln, and make sure they work only with wet clay to limit silica exposure. Check the labels of any glazes for an AP seal. When choosing play clays, stick with Play-doh types that dry when exposed to air, or make your own (see resources).
Gluey Goodness
Many readers may remember using model glues and rubber cement as childrenÑwhich are two of the most toxic kinds of glues available. Rubber cement is especially dangerous, as it contains hexane or heptane, potent neurotoxins.
What to do: That elementary school standby, white Elmer's glue, is much less toxic than other kinds of glue. Yellow wood glue, white library paste, and mucilage are also good choices.
Finding Alternatives
Here's what else you need to know:
- Look for the AP or CP seal.
- When possible, avoid products with a warning label of any kind.
- To find out which chemicals are in a given product, check its Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which lists ingredients and potential health hazards, and can be obtained from the manufacturer.
- By law, US schools cannot give art supplies with any hazard warning to K-6 school children. California provides a list of prohibited art supplies.
- To find nontoxic and green alternatives to common art supplies, or recipes for making your own, see the resources box below.
Resources
Education:
Arts and Creative Materials Institute, 781/293-4100.
Healthy Child Healthy World, 310/820-2030.
Washington Toxics Coalition, 206/632-1545.
Green Art Supplies:
Better Basics for the Home by Annie Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1997). This bible of nontoxic living contains recipes for making your own art materials.
Budget Art Materials, 866/438-8080. Green, nontoxic art supplies.
Ecochoices.com, 626/969-3707. Low-impact art supplies.
Homemade Finger Paints:
Ever see a child use finger paints and not put their colorful, gooey fingers in their mouths? Protect their health and let them have fun using this homemade finger paint recipe that is free of synthetic dyes and pigments.
1 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. water
1/3 cup soap flakes melted with 1/2 cup boiling water
juice dyes (see below)
Make your own soap flakes by grating a bar of homemade hand soap (available in your health food store) until you have 1/3 of a cup of soap flakes.
Combine the cornstarch, water, and melted soap in a bowl. Stir to blend. Let the mixture set until it has become thick. Divide into separate bowls, and stir in juice dyes for color.
How to Make Juice Dyes
1/2 cup of plant material to make the desired color (see below).
Blue: blueberries, red onion skins.
Brown: walnut hulls, paprika.
Green: oak bark, crab apple leaves, and bark.
Orange: yellow onion skins, oats.
Purple: purple grapes.
Red: cranberries, beets.
Tan: coffee and tea.
Yellow: apple tree bark, white onion skins, turmeric.
Use the juice straight from thawed berries, or juice drained from canned beets. If using fresh berries, fruit, walnut hulls, tea, or other plant matter, combine the plant material with 1 cup of water in a pan and simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour or so, adding more water as it evaporates. Mix colors for hue variations.
From Better Basics for the Home, by Annie Bond, Healthy Living editor for Care2.com.
Reprinted with permission from Co-op America, a national nonprofit that harnesses economic powerÑthe strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplaceÑto create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. To join Co-op America and get a free copy of the National Green Pagesª directory of green businesses, and other green living resources, call 800/58-GREEN or visit www.coopamerica.org.
Page 1 | 2
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