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 Pollution Affecting Historical Artifacts Worldwide, Even Indoors

The Taj Mahal is turning yellow.

Greece’s Parthenon and Egypt’s pyramids are showing signs of serious decay.

500 year old statues in Florence, Italy which were restored only nine years ago are now pockmarked and covered in black scum.

These vital links to our past and our humanity are not being damaged by vandals, earthquakes or even acid rain, but by air pollution.

For many countries the problem has become so insurmountable that where possible, important monuments have been moved indoors.

Unfortunately, conservationists have found that the decay doesn’t end there. Museum curators and archivists are also struggling with preserving art and other historical documents from indoor air pollution.

In 1985 the Getty Conservation Institute began researching the risks of atmospheric pollutants on museum collections as well as possible remedies and solutions.

Among their findings, they determined that ozone concentrations within museums fitted with activated carbon air filtration units were generally quite low (ozone causes fading and discoloration).

Activated carbon is also effective on numerous other pollutants which can affect artifacts, including formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, formic acid and acetic acid.

Cultural facilities property should address these contaminants in order to preserve their collections, before pollutants will cause irreparable damage.

Contact AllerAir or its industrial division Electrocorp for suitable air filtration solutions.