Title: Painting and Drawing | Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Headings: Painting and Drawing
Painting and Drawing
Introduction
Chemical Safety Basics
Pigments
Pigments vs. Hues
Hazards
Precautions
Water-Based Paints
Hazards
Precautions
Non Water-Based Paints
Hazards
Precautions
Airbrush, Spray Cans, and Spray Guns
Hazards
Precautions
Dry Drawing Media
Hazards
Precautions
Liquid Drawing Media
Hazards
Precautions
Staff

Content: Dry pigments are especially hazardous because they are easily inhaled and ingested. They are used in encaustic, paper-marbleizing and in the fabrication of paint products, and will be discussed more thoroughly in the section below on pastels. Pigments vs. Hues
Most paints used in Visual Arts
(link is external)
do not contain metal pigments and are considered non-toxic. These are most easily identified by the product name. If the paint is described as hue, such as "chromium yellow hue", there is no (or too little to be concerned about) toxic metal contained in the product. Hazards
Poisoning can occur if toxic pigments are inhaled or ingested. The main hazard in standard painting techniques is accidental ingestion of pigments due to eating, drinking or smoking while working, inadvertent hand to mouth contact, or pointing the paint brush with the lips. If methods such as spraying, heating, or sanding are employed then there is an opportunity for inhalation of toxic pigments. The classic example of a toxic inorganic pigment in painting is white lead, or flake white (basic lead carbonate). Lead pigments can cause anemia, gastrointestinal problems, peripheral nerve damage (and brain damage in children), kidney damage and reproductive system damage.