Visual and Performing Arts Framework-Complete - Free Downloads (CA Dept of Education)

Appendix F

Safe Products for Grades Seven Through Twelve

Education Code Section 32064 mandates the labeling of any toxic art and

craft materials purchased for grades seven through twelve. Section 32065 speci-

fies what the label must list, including a warning to alert users of potential ad-

verse health effects, information on the health-related dangers of the materials,

and instructions for safe use. The rationale for labeling assumes that students in

grades seven through twelve are capable of reading and understanding hazard

labels on art products so that, once aware of the hazard, they can take the neces-

sary precautions to minimize exposure.

Although products bearing toxic warning labels (e.g., Harmful if Swal-

lowed, Use with Adequate Ventilation, Avoid Skin Contact) may be purchased

Art and Craft Materials to Avoid

and Recommended Substitutes

1. Avoid: Products that may generate an inhalation hazard
   (e.g., clay in dry form, powdered paints, glazes, pigments, wheat
   paste, and aerosols, such as spray paints and fixatives)
   Substitute: Wet or liquid nonaerosol products (If dry products
   are used, they should be mixed when young children are not
   present.)


2. Avoid: Hazardous solvent-based products (e.g., rubber cement
   and its thinner, turpentine and other paint thinners, and solvent-
   based markers)
   Substitute: Water-based glues, paints, markers


3. Avoid: Materials that contain lead or other heavy metals
   (e.g., some paints, glazes, and enamels)
   Substitute: Products that do not contain heavy metals


4. Avoid: Cold-water dyes or commercial dyes
   Substitute: Vegetable dyes (onion skins and so forth)


5. Avoid: Instant papier-mâché, which may contain asbestos fibers
   or lead or other metals from pigments in colored printing inks
   Substitute: Papier-mâché made from black and white newspa­
   per and library or white paste (or flour and water paste)