Safety of Art Supplies

Safe use of art supplies requires an understanding of potential health and environmental risks, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and compliance with European labeling regulations.

What are the relevant regulations governing the safety of art supplies?

EU Regulations

The key regulations that apply to art materials sold on the market are:

Regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals - CE n. 1907/2006)

This Regulation forms the basis of European legislation on chemicals. Under this legislation, all chemicals must be specifically registered, and the risks they pose to both the environment and human health must be assessed for each one. It also imposes restrictions (via Annex XVII) on the use of certain substances, such as some heavy metals in pigments, and provides for their replacement with safer alternatives.

CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging - CE n. 1272/2008) about product labeling:

The CLP aims to ensure that products are labelled correctly in order to inform consumers of the potential hazards to which they are exposed when using the product.

• Artistic materials containing hazardous ingredients must bear the following on their label:

• Hazard pictograms (graphic symbols, e.g. a flame or a skull).

• Warnings (e.g. ‘Danger’ or ‘Caution’).

• Hazard statements (H-phrases) and precautionary statements (P-phrases) explaining the specific risks and the precautions to be taken. 

Specific Regulations by User Category

Products for Children: Art supplies for children (pencils, watercolours, felt-tip pens) are considered toys and, as such, are subject to the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC), which is in turn supported by the harmonised technical standard EN 71, with the aim of ensuring they are non-toxic. Compliant products bear the CE mark.

Additional standards may apply to the use of art materials in other settings, such as professional studios or schools.

Voluntary Standards for products imported or sold on the international market

ASTM D-4236 (“Standard Practice for Labelling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards”). This standard requires a toxicological assessment and clear labelling regarding chronic health risks.

What are the potential health risks and related precautions?

Due to their composition, which includes pigments, solvents or other additives (VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds), many art materials can be harmful or irritating if accidentally inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. 

With this in mind, whenever you decide to buy or use a new material, it is advisable NOT ONLY TO READ THE LABELS OR SAFETY DATA SHEETS but also to take certain precautions to protect your health. Here are some examples:

• Ventilation: Always work in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling vapours or dust.

• Skin contact: Avoid direct contact with the skin by wearing protective gloves, particularly when handling harsh chemicals.

• Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the materials and before eating or drinking.

• Ingestion: Do not eat, drink or smoke whilst using art materials. Ensure that materials are not put in the mouth, especially in educational settings or where children are present.

• Safety data sheets: Always consult the safety data sheets (SDS) provided by manufacturers for detailed information on specific risks and first-aid measures. 

  
  

Specific safety considerations for individual art materials

Coloured pencils

Modern coloured pencils are generally considered safe, as the pigments they contain are of organic origin and no longer contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or chromium. However, it is advisable to check when purchasing that the products comply with the safety standards mentioned above, such as the label ‘non-toxic’ or the presence of the CE mark.

Marker pens

The safety of marker pens depends largely on the type of ink and their intended use. Here is a key distinction to help understand the safety levels:

Children’s marker pens (water-based) 

Most children’s felt-tip pens sold in Europe contain water-based ink, which is non-toxic and washable from both fabrics and skin, making them suitable for use in both schools and at home. As with coloured pencils, it is, however, advisable to check when purchasing that the products comply with the safety standards mentioned above, such as the label ‘non-toxic’ or the presence of the CE mark.

Artists’ Markers and Permanent Markers (alcohol- or solvent-based)

Permanent markers or professional artists’ markers, such as alcohol-based markers, have different chemical compositions and require greater precautions.

• Chemical components: The ink in these markers contains solvents such as alcohol, xylene or toluene, which ensure their durability and permanence.

• Risks: These substances are considered toxic if inhaled in large quantities or in the event of prolonged skin contact, and are not suitable for use by children.

• Precautions: It is essential to use them in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling the vapours. They are not suitable for painting on the skin. 

  
  

In summary, water-based, washable felt-tip pens for school use are safe when used correctly. For permanent or professional-grade felt-tip pens, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the general safety precautions for art supplies.

Watercolours

Modern watercolours are generally regarded as among the safest art materials available. They are water-based, free from toxic solvents, and the pigments used are largely non-toxic. 

However, there may be differences in safety standards between children’s products and professional-grade products: whilst children’s watercolours are formulated to be non-toxic and must comply with EN 71 standards and bear the CE mark, watercolours for professional use require greater caution, as a much wider range of pigments may be used in their production, including those containing minute traces of heavy metals such as cadmium or cobalt, although synthetic alternatives are becoming increasingly common.

For professional use, it is always advisable to consult the manufacturer’s safety data sheets (SDS) for the specific colours you are using. Standard hygiene precautions (do not drink the water used to wash brushes, do not eat whilst painting, wash your hands) are sufficient to ensure safe use. 

Acrylics

As acrylic paints are water-soluble, they are generally considered safe for artistic use, particularly when compared to oil paints, which require toxic solvents (such as turpentine or white spirit) and carry the risk of inhaling toxic vapours during use.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to bear in mind and take the following precautions:

• Avoid ingesting them or prolonged contact with the skin: due to the additives they contain, there may be rare cases of skin irritation or sensitisation.

• Pigment dust: the dust produced when sanding dry acrylic paint, due to the pigments it contains, can be harmful to the lungs if inhaled. When sanding surfaces painted with acrylics, it is advisable to wear a protective mask.

• Mediums and additives: Whilst acrylic paints themselves are considered non-toxic, some professional acrylic mediums (retarders, gloss enhancers, etc.) may contain substances that require good ventilation during use, as specified in the product’s safety data sheets (SDS).

• It is best to use them in well-ventilated areas, especially if you are using acrylic sprays.

In summary, acrylic paints are very safe for domestic and artistic use, provided that standard hygiene practices are followed and the inhalation of dust is avoided.

Pastels

Pastels are generally considered safe art materials, but their safety varies depending on the specific type (wax, oil or dry) and their composition.

Here is an overview of the different types of crayons:

Wax Pastels (crayon)

These are the most common type of crayon used in schools and are extremely safe. Composed mainly of paraffin wax and non-toxic pigments, they are formulated to be non-toxic, comply with European safety standards (CE mark, EN 71) and are safe even in the event of skin contact or accidental ingestion in small quantities.

Oil Pastels

Unlike wax pastels, oil pastels are creamier in texture due to the oil they contain. The key safety concern relates to the pigments they contain which, like professional watercolours, may contain trace amounts of heavy metals such as cadmium and cobalt, although safer synthetic alternatives are available.

Dry Pastels (Soft and Hard Pastels/Chalk Pastels)

The main risk associated with this material is lung problems caused by prolonged inhalation of the dust generated whilst applying the colour to the surface. Consequently, if you choose to use this type of product, it is advisable to take the following precautions:

• Work in a well-ventilated area.

• Avoid blowing dust off the drawing (use a damp cloth or shake it gently outdoors).

• Consider wearing a protective mask (such as an FFP2 respirator) if you are working intensively with large quantities of dry pastels or for prolonged periods.

Final Thoughts

Wax and oil pastels are very safe. Dry pastels require precautions to manage the dust they produce. In general, modern, certified products are safe when used as intended.

This was a brief overview to help you use art materials more safely and knowledgeably. If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like, and if you have any other suggestions on this topic, please let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading.

Laura