Living close to an art studio? Protect yourself from fumes

Art materials can release chemical fumes and other toxins.

Many materials and processes used in the creation of artworks involve inhalation hazards.

These include VOCs and chemical fumes released by paints and adhesives, fine particles from pigments, pastel dust, plaster, rock and wood dust, and many other toxins.

When it comes to sculptures, artists often turn to welding, which can release harmful chemicals and fumes.

Artists are not immune to these pollutants. Reported short-term health effects include headaches, nausea, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and skin irritation, while long-term exposure has been linked to respiratory diseases and even cancer.

But people living close to a busy art studio may also be affected by the noise and fumes wafting into their indoor environment.

AllerAir has designed a variety of versatile air purifiers that are uniquely suited to the removal of indoor air pollutants associated with art materials.

The units clean the air with a powerful multistage filtration system that includes the deepest beds of activated carbon in the industry, the longest dwell times for pollutants, the most inert materials and high-efficiency HEPA filters.

• Activated carbon is a highly adsorbent filter material that can remove a wide range of airborne chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes, vapors and odors. 
• HEPA is the gold standard for particle filtration and can trap up to 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns in size.

AllerAir recommends the following air purifiers for artists and art studios:

AllerAir's 5000 model
removes chemicals, odors
and particles from the air.

5000 Exec: A great all-purpose air cleaner for those concerned about chemicals, odors and particles, with an 18 lb. carbon filter + medical-grade HEPA

5000 Vocarb: This unit features a custom carbon blend in an 18 lb. carbon filter for superior chemical adsorption, plus a medical-grade HEPA for particles

AirMedic Series: A 360-degree air intake and medical-grade HEPA provide superior particle control, especially for fine particles, pigments and dust while also removing irritating odors and harmful chemicals with an 18 lb. carbon filter.

5000 D or DX models: These air purifiers feature even more activated carbon and longer dwell times for artists that are exposed to heavier concentrations of chemicals and VOCs emitted by paints, turpentine and adhesives.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Air Quality Issues for Artists: Metal Clay, Jewelry

I found a great blog post by Mary Ellin D’Agostino on air quality issues for artists who work with metal clay* (thanks for the mention of our industrial division, Electrocorp!).

Many artists, especially hobbyists, underestimate the importance of air quality in the studio. The problem lies in the repeated exposure to dust, chemicals, fumes and odors. Simply opening a door or window is not enough to mitigate this type of air pollution on an ongoing basis. In the case of professional jewelers, metal artists, encaustic painters etc. I would agree with this blogger that an industrial air cleaner or fume hood may be a sound investment. For artists or hobbyists on a tight budget, I would also recommend looking at an AllerAir unit. Most of the models that are designed for chemical, odor and particle control actually have as much chemical-adsorbing activated carbon as some industrial units, as well as excellent particle filters. AllerAir’s air quality experts can also recommend a carbon blend that better removes the specific chemicals, fumes and odors present in your studio.

Links:

AllerAir
Electrocorp
The Electrocorp blog
MED'A Creations Fine Silver & Gold Art Jewelry, Metal Clay Instruction & Certification Classes

*Metal Clay is an amazing, relatively new (1990's) material that originated in Japan. It has a soft consistency and contains microscopic particles of precious metals suspended in a mix of clay binder and water. When fired, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse together, creating a piece that is fine silver or gold.