Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resources by Project Area - Art Supply Resources

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Art Supply Resources

EPA's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Web site features a "Teacher's Checklist" covering 11 major topic areas, including art supplies. The checklist gives examples of supplies and activities that could contribute to IAQ problems. It also provides teachers with suggested steps for learning about supplies; making purchasing decisions or recommending products for purchase; following correct safety, handling, and storage procedures; and minimizing exposure to hazardous materials.


The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Web site includes a copy of "Guidelines for the Safe Use of Art and Craft Materials." The document is designed to help school personnel select safe arts and crafts products. It explains how exposure to hazardous substances in art supplies occurs, how to limit exposure, and how to identify possible illnesses from exposure. The document also lists art materials to avoid and recommends substitutes. A resources list for obtaining information on product toxicity also is included.


California OEHHA also publishes "Art and Craft Materials Which Cannot Be Purchased for Use in Kindergarten and Grades One Through Six." The document lists more than 1,000 materials that should not be purchased. The list is broken into categories such as adhesives, ceramics, clays, drawing and writing instruments, markers, paints, solvents, and more. It includes the products' manufacturers and brand names.


The National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Web site features "Safe Art - When art materials pose a health risk to children," originally published in PTA Today. The article includes safety guidelines for choosing art materials and recommendations for monitoring children involved in arts activities.


The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection lists answers to commonly asked questions about household hazardous waste, including art supplies, on its Web site. Although the questions and answers do not pertain specifically to children, much of the advice is applicable to school environments.

Publications

Artist Beware: The Hazards of Working With All Art and Craft Materials and the Precautions Every Artist and Photographer Should Take
By Michael McCann, Ph.D., C.I.H. (Paperback - March 2001)
Health Hazards Manual for Artists
By Michael McCann (Paperback)
The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide
By Monona Rossol (Paperback - December 2001)

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