Art Supplies & Pregnancy

Pregnant women should take special precautions when working with art supplies.

Air that is inhaled by a pregnant woman, as well as chemicals or toxins that are absorbed through the skin, are also taken in by the fetus. Supplies such as paints, inks, ceramics, adhesives and oils contain a variety of pigments, dyes and chemicals, and most have not been tested as to their reproductive ramifications.

Solvents

Ethyl alcohol is used in art supplies such as in paints, paint strippers and ink as a thinning agent and has been proven to cause harmful effects such as birth defects, abnormal growth in fetuses, spontaneous fetus termination and breast milk contamination. In some thinners and inks, this alcohol can be taken into the body via inhalation when it evaporates. Solvents labeled "natural" do not necessarily imply that they are safe. Natural solvents are capable of producing adverse effects in pregnant women as well; however, there have not been enough studies to determine the risk.

Glues and Sprays

Inhaling the vapors of a glue--glue-sniffing--can be fatal. Pregnant women should avoid inhalation of any glue or spray product, as it could be harmful to the fetus.

Metals

Reproductive hazard research has been conducted on several metals and several have proven to be harmful. Antimony, arsenic, boric acid, cadmium, lead, mercury and manganese all pose a risk to the fetus in different ways. These metals can be found in a variety of art supplies including ink pigments in paint, enamel, soldering equipment, ceramic glazes, clay colorants and glass.

Precautions

Pregnant women should take special precautions when working with art supplies. Read the labels of all the materials you will be working with and request material safety data sheets (MSDS) from the manufacturer. Use proper protection in the form of gloves and masks and use sufficient ventilation when needed. Consult with your doctors with any questions.

Misconceptions

There is little to no scientific data on the harmful effects of some chemicals found in art supplies. Art supplies contain a vast amount of different dyes, pigments, metals and chemicals--most of which have not been studied. Product labels can prove ineffective, in that manufacturers are not aware of the ingredient's known hazards, because such hazards have not been studied and identified. Labels that contain the words "natural" and "nontoxic" do not guarantee the ingredients are safe.

References

• True Art: Pregnancy
• Princeton University: Art Safety Training Guide