Quick Guide: Detoxing Your Art Studio

Photo , Creative Commons 

How much time do you spend in your studio each week?

Most professional artists spend most of their working time in their studio, surrounded by the materials they need to create a work of art.

Unfortunately, some of these materials can be toxic and harm your health. In fact, in the mid-1980s, the US National Cancer Institute conducted two studies that found a higher risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease among artists.

Because these chemicals masquerade as paint, powder, and dye, artists are often unaware that the materials they use contain toxic ingredients, some of which are even banned from other consumer products (like lead paint).

Do not worry! By understanding the potential dangers you face as an artist, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you work in a safe, toxin-free environment:

1. Take inventory of the studio

First, about everything in your studio. This way, you will know what possible hazards may be in your space. Once you've identified potential hazards in your studio, consider replacing them with safer alternatives.

Here are common toxic substances found in artists' studios and possible substitutes:

• If you are using oil, acrylic and watercolor paints, markers, pens, varnishes, inks and thinnersconsider using mineral spirits to thin oil paints, water-based markers, or water-based and acrylic paints.

• If you are using dusts and powders as dyes, consider using pre-mixed paints and clays or dyes in liquid form.

• If you are using ceramic glazes, consider using lead-free glaze, especially for items that may contain food or drink.

• If you are using solvent-based adhesives such as rubber adhesive, model cement adhesive, contact adhesive, consider using adhesives and water-based adhesives such as library paste.

• If you are using aerosol sprayers, sprayers, consider using water-based materials.

2. Put in all harmful substances

Once you know what's in your studio and have identified possible toxic items, make sure everything is labeled correctly. If something is not labelled, it should be thrown in the trash. Then enclose all harmful substances. Store everything in their original containers and keep all jars tightly closed when not in use.

3. Ventilate your studio properly

If you are a professional artist, you spend a lot of time in your studio with these potentially harmful substances. Because of this, artists are more susceptible to the dangers of chemicals. While you need to maintain the temperature in your studio to protect your art, you also need to ensure proper ventilation and free flow of clean air into the studio. And, if your art studio is in the same room as your home, it might be time.

4. Have protective gear on hand

If you're using items you know are toxic, take a page from a scientist's book: put on goggles, gloves, fume hoods, and other protective gear. You may feel a little out of sorts at first, but it's important to protect yourself, especially when working with lead-based paint!

5. Buy only what you need

When you buy supplies in the future, only buy what you need for one project at a time. This way, it will be easier for you to keep track of what is in your studio. As soon as you buy a new can of paint or other supplies, label the cans with the date of purchase. When you need red paint, first get to the old inventory and work your way to the newly purchased paint.

Now that you've detoxed your studio, take the next step. Verify .