What makes an art material
"safe"?
Knowledge of materials and their proper use makes them safe. Be sure to read the label on all products you use so you will know they have been evaluated and are non-toxic or need special handling to avoid possible health hazards from misuse. Look for the ACMI Seals so you will know the product has been evaluated by a qualified toxicologist for both acute and chronic hazards. Or, you may see other indications that the product conforms to ASTM D 4236, the chronic hazard labeling standard that is now part of the U.S. labeling law. Follow all safe use instructions. Purchase only products with the ACMI Non-Toxic Seals [CP, AP, and HL (Non-Toxic)] for young children, the physically or mentally handicapped, and any persons who cannot read or understand the safety labeling on product packages. Observe good work habits and teach them to others.
What should I do if I or my child
swallows a product by mistake?
First, read the label and follow any instructions that may appear there. If the product bears a warning, call your local poison control center. (This number should be kept handy by the phone.) Be ready to provide the center with information concerning ingredient content and first aid directions that appear on the label. If the product has an ACMI non-toxic seal, there is no need for alarm or action.
What do "acute" and
"chronic" mean?
"Acute" and "chronic" refer to different types of toxic reactions. An acute reaction means the effect will occur immediately after using the product. For example, something that causes a skin rash, irritates your eyes, or causes immediate sickness, is acutely toxic. A chronic reaction means the effect will occur over time (months or even years). For example, something that causes cancer is chronically toxic. Products can cause acute effects, chronic effects, both types, or neither.
If a product smells bad, does
that mean it is toxic?
Smell is not a good indicator of toxicity. Sometimes a material can have a strong smell (such as a marker) but be non-toxic. On the other hand, something that has no smell or smells sweet could be highly toxic. Always remember to read the label before using a product.
Some products are very dusty. Is
all dust toxic?
Again, it is important to read the label.
Not all dust is toxic. In fact, many dusty or dry products, such as chalk,
powdered tempera, and many pastels, are non-toxic, even if inhaled. Other
dust-causing products, such as many dry clays, can be toxic, and proper
precautions need to be taken. Dust is messy but not always toxic.