Hazards and Precautions in the Visual Arts

Hazards

Risk Factors Amount of exposure Length and frequency of exposure Exposure conditions Toxicity Total Body Burden Multiple exposures High risk groups

High Risk Groups Children Smokers Heavy drinkers People taking medications Elderly Disabled

Examples of Disabilities Hearing impairment Epilepsy Emotional disturbance Physical impairment Chronic diseases heart, lung, liver, etc. Asthma and other allergies

Routes of Entry Skin contact and absorption Inhalation Ingestion Injection Example of injection is hand injuries from putting hand in front of airless spray gun.

Types of Diseases Acute Chronic

Skin Diseases Irritant dermatitis Allergic dermatitis Skin cancer e.g., acids, alkalis, solvents, dichromates Allergic dermatitis e.g., turpentine, formaldehyde, nickel, dichromates, epoxies, tropical woods Skin cancer e.g., arsenic compounds, ultraviolet radiation

Eye Diseases Conjunctivitis Corneal damage Cataracts Blindness e.g., alkalis, acids, other irritants, UV Corneal damage e.g., alkalis Cataracts e.g., infrared radiation Blindness e.g., silver nitrate, methyl alcohol

Acute Respiratory Diseases Chemical pneumonia (pulmonary edema) e.g., Dutch mordant, isocyanates, cadmium fumes Acute bronchitis high concentrations of irritants

Acute Respiratory Diseases (Cont.) Acute asthma and "hay fever" e.g., fiber-reactive dyes, isocyanates Hypersensitivity pneumonia e.g. redwood dust, molds Metal fume fever e.g., zinc, copper fumes

Chronic Respiratory Diseases Chronic bronchitis and emphysema e.g., nitrogen dioxide Pulmonary fibrosis e.g., silicosis, asbestosis Respiratory cancer e.g., arsenic, chromates, nickel, asbestos, uranium oxide

Heart and Circulatory System Diseases Heart muscle damage e.g., barium and cobalt compounds Heart arrhythmias e.g., freons, methylene chloride, toluene Hemoglobin diseases e.g., methylene chloride, carbon monoxide, photographic developers Anemias and bone marrow damage e.g., lead, arsenic, benzene

Kidney and Bladder Diseases Heat stress Chemical damage to kidneys e.g., cadmium, turpentine, lead, chlorinated solvents Bladder cancer e.g., benzidine dyes

Liver Diseases Hepatitis Liver cancer e.g., chlorinated solvents, toluene, xylene Liver cancer e.g., chlorinated solvents

Central Nervous System Diseases Solvent narcosis (intoxication) Encephalopathy - brain damage e.g., high concentrations of solvents Oxygen starvation e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide Central nervous system and heavy metals e.g., manganese, lead, mercury

Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Peripheral neuropathy Metals (e.g., lead, arsenic) Solvents (e.g., n-hexane, methyl butyl ketone)

Reproductive System Damage Prior to pregnancy - effects on fertility e.g., toluene, xylene, lead, cadmium During pregnancy - miscarriages, birth defects e.g., solvents, lead, carbon monoxide After pregnancy - breast-feeding, infant exposures e.g., solvents, lead, other toxic chemicals

Precautions

Precautions Know your materials Substitution Ventilation Storage and Handling Work practices and hygiene Personal Protective Equipment Medical check-ups

Know Your Materials Labels Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) Other references

Substitutes Use least toxic chemicals Use water-based instead of solvent-based Use wet methods Avoid carcinogens Using substitutes - takes time to convert

Ventilation What is adequate ventilation? Dilution ventilation not an open window! Dilution ventilation e.g., window exhaust fan Local exhaust ventilation capture contaminants at source

Dilution Ventilation For small amounts of vapors or gases Not for highly toxic vapors or gases Not for dusts or fumes Do not recirculate

Local Exhaust Ventilation Hoods Ducts Fans Air cleaners Explosion-proof systems for flammable vapors and gases

Examples of Local Exhaust Systems

Rules for Good Ventilation Use local exhaust Provide make-up air Direction of air flow: Clean air passes by your face Don’t put head under canopy hood Enclose process 100% exhaust to outside Don't place exhausts next to air intakes Maintenance

Storage and Handling Safe storage Fire prevention Handling of chemicals Housekeeping Spills Waste disposal

Safe Storage Purchase in small amounts Location of chemicals avoid high shelves Label materials Cover containers Incompatible chemicals don’t store together (e.g. acids and ammonia)

Fire Prevention No sources of ignition near flammables Flammable storage cabinets Safety cans for solvents Self-closing waste disposal cans Solvent waste cans Fire extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers Correct type (A, B, C, D, ABC) Location (near exit) Class A: for ordinary combustible materials Class B: for solvents and oil Class C: for electrical fires Class ABC: multipurpose Location (near exit) Training in use Fire emergency procedures

Handling of Chemicals Cover all containers Containment - glove box Transfer powders carefully Avoid liquid splashes

Work Practices and Hygiene No smoking, eating or drinking in studio area Wear separate work clothes Wash separately Eyewash fountains Do not use eyewash bottles Emergency showers Avoid electrical outlets near shower Wash-up - do not use solvents

Housekeeping Do not sweep Wet mopping Vacuum cleaners Sweeping stirs up dust Wet mopping Can hose down if have drain with clay trap Vacuum cleaners HEPA vacuum cleaners for silica (e.g., clay)

Spills of Flammable Liquids Shut off open flames and open windows Call fire department Shut off power from outside room Evacuate room and building, if needed Wear SCBA for clean-up

Waste Disposal Use approved waste disposal companies Do not pour solvents down sink Use solvent waste cans Aqueous liquids and sinks Check with local sewer codes Other sources of help

Personal Protective Equipment Face and Eye protection Don’t work without protection Select type according to hazard Gloves Make sure is suitable for type of liquid used Hearing protection Protective clothing Respirators

Respirators Use as last resort Use NIOSH-approved respirators Select proper types of cartridges and filters Fit testing Limitations of respirators Lung and other medical problems Cleaning and maintenance Storage e.g., Ziplock plastic bag

Medical Check-ups Type of doctor What to tell your doctor Most physicians don’t have training in occupational hazards Occupational health physicians What to tell your doctor what art materials you use Medical tests

Medical Tests Blood lead tests Tests for other chemicals Rarely useful except for metals Lung function tests and chest x-rays Can detect lung problems in early stages Hearing tests Liver and kidney function tests Used to detect liver and kidney damage

Thank you!