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: Acute inhalation of high concentrations of mineral spirits, turpentine vapors, and other solvents can cause narcosis, which can include symptoms of dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, fatigue, loss of coordination, coma, as well as respiratory irritation. Chronic inhalation of large amounts of solvents could result in decreased coordination, behavioral changes and brain damage. Chronic inhalation of turpentine can cause kidney damage and respiratory irritation and allergies. Odorless mineral spirits and turpenoid, in which the aromatic hydrocarbons have been removed, are less hazardous. Ingestion of either turpentine or mineral spirits can be fatal. In the case of mineral spirits, this is usually due to chemical pneumonia caused by aspiration (breathing in) of the mineral spirits into the lungs after vomiting. Natural resins (copal, damar, rosin, Japanese Lacquer) may cause skin irritation or allergies. Rosin dust can cause asthma. Encaustic involves suspending pigments in molten wax. If the wax is overheated, flammable wax vapors and wax decomposition fumes are produced, which are strong respiratory irritants.