The
household toxic tour
Home
Laundry
Bathroom
Bedrooms
Living
rooms Baby's
room Garage
Garden
Shed
The hobby room
Dangerous
chemicals and metals include:
- lead
in some ceramic glazes, stained-glass materials, and many pigments affects
almost every organ and system in your body, especially the central nervous
system. Painted
or treated wood, and paper printed with some coloured inks, may contain lead
or other chemicals. Do not burn these items in a fireplace or woodstove, as
this might release lead fumes. Some materials used in crafts and hobbies may
contain lead or other hazardous materials. Those involved in oil painting,
stained glass, automotive repair, furniture refinishing, and electronics. It
caused damage to the kidneys and the reproductive system. The effects are
the same whether it is breathed or swallowed. Almost all symptoms of
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are the same as the symptoms of lead
poisoning. (Source: Lead
in your home)
- cadmium
in silver solders, pigments, ceramic glazes and fluxes causes severe damages
to the lungs and can even cause death. Long-term exposure to lower levels of
cadmium in air, food, or water leads to a build up of cadmium in the kidneys
and possible kidney disease. Other long-term effects are lung damage and
fragile bones.
- manganese
dioxide in ceramic colours and some brown oil and acrylic paint pigments
causes impairment of the central nervous system
and breathing this chemical causes lung damage.;
- Cobalt
in some blue oil and acrylic paint pigments causes effects on the lungs,
asthma, pneumonia, and wheezing;
- formaldehyde
(cancer-causing) as a preservation in many acrylic paints and photographic
products;
- aromatic
hydrocarbons in paint and varnish removers, aerosol sprays, permanent
markers, etc. can cause severe irritation, redness, tearing, blurred vision
as well as nasal and respiratory irritation, dizziness, weakness, fatigue,
nausea, headache, possible unconsciousness, central nervous system
depression, and even suffocation.;
- chlorinated
hydrocarbons (such as tetracloroethane (acetylene tetrachloride),
chloroform, ethylene dichloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene) in
ink, varnish, and paint removers, rubber cement, aerosol sprays dissolves
the fatty layer of the skin and can cause dermatitis, heart failure, death
and suffocation;
- petroleum
distillates (solvents) in paint and rubber cement thinners, spray adhesives,
silk-screen inks cause damage to the nervous system, skin, kidneys, and
eyes. They are likely to cause one or more detrimental health or
environmental effects;
 glycol
ethers and acetates in photography products, lacquer thinners, paints, and
aerosol sprays.
- Methyl
cellosolve (ethylene glycol monomethyl ether) and butyl cellosolve (ethylene
glycol monobutyl ether) were known to cause anaemia and kidney damage.
Cellosolve, methyl cellosolve, and their acetates can cause birth defects,
miscarriages, testicular atrophy and sterility at low levels.
Safe Substitutes
for Art and Hobby Materials
There
are some non-toxic choices that can be made when buying art or craft supplies,
but because some techniques require certain materials, minimizing exposure may
be the best you can do.
 In
painting and printmaking, ready-mixed water-based paints or inks can be used. If
you must be exposed to paint dust, use toxic dust respirator approved by the
United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Ventilate the space thoroughly whenever using any kind of solvents, whether in
painting or in lithography, intaglio, or photo etching. Solvents also should be
avoided while pregnant. Store hobby and craft materials in a tightly closed
container. Clean up your work area thoroughly afterwards, and be sure to wash
your hands well, too. Don’t work near areas where food is prepared or served.
Don’t eat while you’re working. Avoid working near children. Wash work
clothes separately.
Enamels
are usually lead-based, and can contain other toxic metals such as cadmium and
nickel. Use lead-free-enamels whenever possible, and make sure kilns are vented
outside.
In pottery as well,
outside vented kilns are important, as is a careful choice of materials.
Most
potters know to avoid lead glazes and lead frits, but many don't know that
flint, feldspars, fluorspar, and some compounds containing barium, lithium,
manganese, or nickel can also be toxic. Children should avoid the pottery
studio, as they are more susceptible to the toxics used in pottery than
are adults.
 Photography
presents a number of toxic hazards, which are difficult to avoid. Minimize
exposure to photochemical by using gloves, mixing chemicals in a mixing box with
holes in the sides for gloved hands, and providing adequate ventilation.
Children under 12 should avoid the darkroom.
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