Q: I am a beginner artist and I paint in oils. I have heard that oil paint can be toxic and I am thinking of switching to acrylics instead. What is your opinion?
A: There is a book written on this subject by Michael McCann called Artist Beware that points out the health hazards of certain arts and crafts. It is still available through Amazon.com. The book was written some years ago so some of the information may be out of date because there are many new paints available now that are non-toxic.
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The main problem with oil paints is not so much the paint itself but the solvents used to thin it. Turpentine is a toxic chemical and can be absorbed through the skin to some degree. Don’t use it to clean your hands after painting. For most people it is better not to use turpentine at all. Use a specially prepared thinner available in art supply stores.
Some of them are also odourless or lemon scented, so are less likely to provoke an allergic response.
Many pigments that give paint its colours are poisonous. Some contain heavy metals such as lead, cobalt, arsenic or manganese. Cadmium, which is in oranges and yellows, is a known carcinogen. Anyone with a history of cancer should not use oil paints. Van Gogh’s famous history of mental and physical illness may have been partly due to his habit of putting paintbrushes in his mouth to get a finer point. Don’t put your coffee cup near your painting. It is easy to absent-mindedly dip your brush into the coffee instead of the solvent or water.
Acrylics and water-based oils are somewhat safer than traditional oils. Ask the salesperson in the art store which types and colours are less harmful. They are quite know-ledgeable on the subject.
Pastels may seem harmless, but can be even more dangerous than oil paints because they produce a lot of fine dust.
Clare Rowson is a retired medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
