It’s unclear whether this man named Michael Pearce is coming up with that claim or if, in fact, M. Graham is coming up with it. Although M. Graham did invent as DAK723 said above, the first non-toxic medium, I would be surprised the company would make that claim about their oil paint. It would seem the only way to inhale toxins is if you’re sanding dried oil paint without wearing a mask. I live in Portland Oregon area where it’s made and I’ve spoken with Art Graham and I find it hard to believe he would make that claim. I know he did dislike solvents. But as far as I know, Art Graham is no longer the owner but it’s still made in the Portland area and seems like the company isn’t making any different claims about toxicity but I could be mistaken.

how common is it to put vaporous toxins in oil paints? I know neither Vasari nor Puro use them . . . what’s with all the hype about M. Graham not doing so?

It is not hype, it is just wrong. Graham paints are not any safer than any other artist oil paints. The binding oils used in oil paints do not give off any toxic fumes. If you have a rare allergic sensitivity to walnut oil, then they would be much worse to use than linseed oil paints.
I nearly go into sugar shock sometimes when I read artists gushing about how much better their stuff is than other artist’s stuff, this one put me into high alert.

In M. Graham’s defense, on their website I do not see any claims that their oil paints are safer than other brands. What they do is endorse solvent free painting and point out that if you use M. Graham paints and mediums, you will be working solvent free as they make only solvent free products. They recommend using their walnut oil to clean up instead of turps or OMS.

Earlier I said that they made one of the first mediums that was solvent free. I was using the term medium in its more restricted meaning – a combination of oil, solvent and sometimes a resin. If you include 100% oils in your definition of medium, then, yes, of course, many others have been making solvent free mediums. Since most every other company sells mediums containing solvents, this set M. Graham apart and I think this was one of their advertising claims – use M. Graham products and you will be painting safer. But the oil paint itself is no different or safer.

Don

I agree with Don. If you look at the oil paints page on the M.Graham website, there’s no claim that their paints are made without solvent, only that their mediums are made without solvent and their manufacturing facility is solvent-free.

Why Walnut Oil
We chose to build our oil paint with this oil because its unique refractive index and non-yellowing nature produces color that is more naturally alive and brilliant. In addition walnut oil allows us to increase the amount of pigment in each color, resulting in extraordinary richness, color saturation, brilliance and tinting strength. – See more at: [url]http://mgraham.com/products/oil-paints/#sthash.ywUnnyZZ.dpuf[/url]

They also do mention solvent-free painting:

Solvent Free
Our commitment to the artist extends to their environment. At M. Graham, we have freed ourselves from solvents in our work environment. You can free your studio of dangerous solvents as well. Using walnut oil to clean brushes is a natural way to remove color without creating a solvent hazard.
Learn More »

– See more at: [url]http://mgraham.com/products/oil-paints/#sthash.ph4v7M62.dpuf[/url]

It seems unfair to say that their advertising is deceptive when all they appear to be doing is promoting a healthy and environmentally safe oil painting process – a good thing, imho.

I can’t help but wonder if the idea that they are saying the paints themselves are solvent-free came about from people – likely those lacking knowledge of oil painting in general – reading things into their advertising that simply were not there.

I cannot say that the M Graham Co. has tried to discredit anyone or even market their paints in a different manner than others. They bring to light the lack of solvent in their mediums, and also point out it’s benefits, never saying other companies do not do the same or that their product is better.

As far as the paints themselves (and the walnut oil and alkyd medium), they are top notch materials with some of the highest pigment loading I’ve seen (cut with either a custom calcium carbonate medium or white paint to see the comparison to other brands I’d tried over the years). This is all around great for me as I like the consistency out of the tube but also like to adjust the consistency easily with mediums if needed.

The hype I think is that they do manage to do something most do not, promote using only paint and oil to do the painting. Most companies mention using some sort of medium besides oil (often containing solvents). Funny thing about solvents though, is that even water can be considered a solvent. . . if you are dissolving certain kinds of glues (some starch glues are very water soluble).

As for other inhalants in the actual paint itself, I do not remember reading much (beyond Gigalot’s explanations of “toxins” released during the curing process, which is much less than bad for you than breathing a fart even) regarding inhalation issues with just paint. I have however found that I can definitely smell a difference between linseed based paints on my palette and walnut oil based paints. (be it known I have an extremely acute sense of smell)

Hope this helps you some Saskia.

Propanal is toxic (it’s an alcohol), but it is present in far, far smaller quantities in this context than the white spirit vapors.
The quantities of hexanal are even less. We are talking extremely minute quantities . . . much less irritating exposure than, say, spritzing yourself with perfume. There are NO studies of which I am aware (and I have looked) which even suggest that this could be harmful. If you have seen one, please do reference it.

Try to heat two table spoons of good, one month in open air rancidificated safflower oil, at a temperature about 100-120 Celsius degree. Do it in a kitchen, but close windows and ventilation. I am sure, you will never forget those fumes, which drying oil can emit. Drying Alkyd has less strong odor, but much more irritant for my lungs. I like to keep drying Alkyd paintings as far as possible from my bed room or ,even, from living room. The most pleasant odor has Linseed oil paint. It can also emit strong odor, but linseed oil odor is not as unpleasant.