Getting started with electronics with minimal space?
Use your computer!

It used to be that to "get started" in electronics you had to have materials. Now you can do some pretty high quality experimentation and learning in online simulators, tutorials, and videos. 

It is definitely, much less than ideal, but with zero space and zero hazardous materials, you can gain a remarkable amount of basic skill.

Some resources for free tools and data


CircuitLab -- online circuit simulation
CircuitHub -- online parts library for CAD/EDA tools
Kicad -- free design software
Upverter -- online design software
Octopart -- online part search