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How to Handle Hazardous Art Materials


Identify your hazardous art materials and supplies
- Poisonous, irritant and corrosive materials
- Flammable and combustible materials
- Review the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the chemicals you use in order to better understand their proper use, storage and disposal
- It is important to have a copy of the SDS for each hazardous chemical used in your studio and to understand the SDS information
- SDS’s include a “Signal” word. “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards and “Warning” is used for the less severe hazards.
- Manufacturers and distributors of hazardous chemicals are required to provide information about the hazards in a standard, 16 section format
- Sections 1-8 of an SDS contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., fire fighting).
- Sections 9-11 and section 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, exposure control information.
- Sections 12-15 contain information regarding chemical disposal, transport and other important, but non-mandatory considerations.
- Have these OSHA SDS reference sheets available at your studio
- Learn about Art & Creative Materials Institute’s (ACMI) seals found on many artist material labels.
- “AP” stands for APPROVED PRODUCT and is usually accompanied by the word “Nontoxic”.
- “CL” is an abbreviation for CAUTIONARY LABEL, and is used when risk and safety information is required on the label.
Minimize hazardous material use and mitigate exposure
- Store flammable materials properly
- Ventilate for health
- Wear the right gear

- Don’t leave dirty rags about. They can spontaneously combust!
- Don’t use generic containers, because having the original label on the chemical container is essential for safety.