How to Protect Yourself from Toxins of Pastels

I worked with pastels for years before realizing the danger of ingesting and inhaling toxic materials from the pastel dust.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Respirator or protective face mask
• Exhaust fans

1. Do not work with pastels without wearing a protective mask. This is a real nuisance for an artist who is more interested in the art-making process than in safety. If possible, open windows and use fans for ventilation.

2. Certain pigments are particularly dangerous. Pastels have the potential fo be more hazardous than any other painting media. Watch out for all cadmium colors, as well as vermilion strontium yellow. Many manufacturers have removed some of the more toxic pigments from their palettes.

3. Know that the fixative sprays used with pastels are particularly dangerous, too. Only use in a very well-ventilated area, a painting booth, or outdoors. Always wear a respirator mask when working with fixtive spray. It's mist stays in the air for a very long time.

4. Make sure to vacuum pastel dust when finished working on your art piece in order to remove as much as possible from the environment.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not inhale pastel dust.

[Sumac]

on 9/14/2008 Thanks. After using pastels for many, many years, I was dismayed to find this out.

[Kilogramm]

on 9/13/2008 I learned something by reading this, thanks for this, 5 stars!