Your opinion plz-best paint

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

Hi- I'd like your opinion, i'm a kitchen painter. what are the best non-toxic student grade paints. I can't use professional grade due to heath considerations. your answers will help ty

[JamesDFarrow]

Aren't there "non-toxic" artist grade paints?

James

[idcrisis55]

My question is, essentially the same paint, binders, etc. are in student grade (just more binders in student grade), so why not use artist grade? Here is a link to Einion's thread on paint brands, manufacturers, with links. Browse through it and read their MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). That will give you the best information on what paints are safest and their quality. Cadmium colors can be harmful, as well as some others.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410125

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

thank you all- off to view the thread

[Einion]

Originally Posted by Mz_Sketch_Pad

Hi- I'd like your opinion, i'm a kitchen painter. what are the best non-toxic student grade paints. I can't use professional grade due to heath considerations.

If you're careful and make a point of not getting any paint on your skin (pretty easy of course) painting is a very safe pastime. Do you have a specific problem or concern, relating to something only found in artists' acrylics?

The obvious stuff in acrylic paint is the easy part, the pigment(s) and binder. The hidden things like the anti-foaming agent, humectants and/or retarders, the anti-bacterial agent and perhaps a solvent may be of most concern since we don't generally know what they are or how much of them is present.

Einion

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

einion- my concern is the ones that have the cl and ca prop later- i'm in remission from cancer - and i read in a dick blick catalog those with cl have been known to have cancer- that is why i don't use the cl ones
need to know best ones that are non toxic

[Café LoLa]

wow - congratulations on being in remission - hope you stay in remission for a long long time.

I'm not sure what CL and CA Prop means - could you explain a bit more?

I think probably avoiding cadmium-based paints would be a starter. Also, paints itself is usually pignment + polymer, so really the artist-quality paints may be the better way to go as the student quality tend to have more fillers in it. Also, probably not to use any mediums such as slow-dry mediums as some of it will have formaldehyde in it.

You can always put on some latex gloves on while painting so if you get any paints on your hands, you can just take off the gloves and discard.

[jocelynsart]

Artist grade has better pigment load, but they are still non toxic?

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

I got this from the dick blick site
Additional Health Labeling: California Proposition 65



The State of California requires clear and reasonable warnings on products and/or storage containers containing chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Even if these products contain only trace levels of harmful chemicals, a warning is required by the State of California.

Manufacturers of certain products have included warnings pursuant to California Proposition 65, and caution is recommended when using products marked with the Prop 65 icon.

and

Products bearing the CL seal of the Art & Creative Materials Institute ("Caution Label") contain ingredients that are toxic or hazardous, but they can be used safely with appropriate caution. Materials that bear the CL seal should be used only by those persons who are able to read, understand, and follow suggested safety precautions for handling those materials. The Caution Label signifies that although the product contains a toxic element, it can be handled safely if the directions on the container or packaging are followed. Many such art products cannot be made non-hazardous, but are necessary for certain creative activities. When used in properly supervised and controlled conditions, they can be enjoyed with complete safety.

and

Products bearing the AP seal of the Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI) are certified non-toxic. A medical expert evaluates each product and its ingredients. A product can be certified non-toxic only if it contains no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, or to cause acute or chronic health problems. AP certification is reviewed by ACMI's Toxicological Advisory Board. These products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D-4236 and federal law P.L. 100-695.

Dick Blick recommends that when you purchase art materials, particularly for classroom and institutional use, you should carefully consider the ultimate consumer. In cases where a product may be used in pre-school or primary school classes (K-6), or in environments with physically or mentally challenged persons who may be unable to read or understand safety labeling, you should purchase materials which are AP certified non-toxic products. This will ensure that even the most sensitive populations can safely enjoy art and craft activities.


so what i've been thinking - even though the artist grade has better pigment- i'm trying to look for something that won't harm me

[Einion]

Originally Posted by Mz_Sketch_Pad

- i'm in remission from cancer -

I hope you're doing well on that front.

Originally Posted by Mz_Sketch_Pad

...and i read in a dick blick catalog those with cl have been known to have cancer- that is why i don't use the cl ones

The cautions on the labelling for artists' paints containing certain heavy metals can be quite specific in warning about the risks associated with spray-applying them.

On Proposition 65:

The State of California requires clear and reasonable warnings on products and/or storage containers containing chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Even if these products contain only trace levels of harmful chemicals, a warning is required by the State of California.

My emphasis. These trace levels can be well below the generally-recognised harmful threshold.

Originally Posted by Mz_Sketch_Pad

so what i've been thinking - even though the artist grade has better pigment- i'm trying to look for something that won't harm me

In all honesty if you want to err firmly on the side of caution I would suggest switching to watercolour or gouache.

Einion

[Mz_Sketch_Pad]

ty einion for your detailed responses- i've been fooling around with gouache and oil pastels- even tho i love the acylics