Title: Section 10: Painting and Drawing | Environmental Health & Safety | Baylor University
Headings: Section 10: Painting and Drawing
Section 10: Painting and Drawing
► Pigments
► Water-Based Paints
► Non Water-Based Paints
► Airbrush, Spray Cans and Spray Guns
► Dry Drawing Media
► Liquid Drawing Media
Pigments
Water-Based Paints
Non Water-Based Paints
Recommendation: During pregnancy and nursing, switch to water-based paints to avoid exposure to solvents.
Airbrush, Spray Cans, and Spray Guns
Dry Drawing Media
Liquid Drawing Media

Content: 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. Other inorganic pigments may be hazardous, including pigments based on cobalt, cadmium, and manganese. ( See Table 1)
Some of the inorganic pigments, in particular cadmium pigments, chrome yellow and zinc yellow may cause lung cancer. In addition lamp black and carbon black may contain impurities that can cause skin cancer. Chromate pigments (chrome yellow and zinc yellow) may cause skin ulceration and allergic skin reactions (such as rashes). The long-term hazards of the modern synthetic organic pigments have not been well studied. Precautions
Obtain MSDSs on your paints to find out what pigments you are using.