Health Hazards in the Arts and Crafts

Toxic chemicals commonly found in art materials pose potential health risks for unaware artists. These health risks, ranging from minor skin irritation to serious damage to kidneys, lungs, heart and other vital organs, can be minimized through prevention and simple precautions. This article discusses various hazardous chemicals found in common art materials and the ways in which these chemicals can enter the body, along with various factors that influence the degree of risk to an artist. Precautions that should be taken are outlined.