adminthe hundreds artists in the areas of visual arts is of critical importance to this industry.
Like other industries the arts have many occupational hazards which Zimbabwean artists should be aware of.
In recent articles, this writer alluded to the myriad of health and safety hazards posed by materials and processes used in the arts.
There are many types of hazards associated with the arts and crafts including, physical accidents, fire and radiation hazards, and a multitude of health hazards from overexposure to dangerous chemicals which are often used on a daily basis.
Of these, chemical hazards are probably the least known.
Effects of these hazards can include:
- Lead poisoning in potters; solvent overexposure in printmakers and painters;
- Sulphur dioxide gas exposure in photographers and potters;
- Solvent and pesticide poisoning in gallery conservators.
Hazards in the visual arts are found in almost all media.
Chemical hazards, in particular, are very common since art materials contain a wide variety of toxic chemicals. These include solvents in paints, inks, thinners, and paint removers; metals like lead and cadmium in pigments, pottery glazes.
Dusts like silica and asbestos in clays, stones, acids in intaglio etchings, and many more are very hazardous.
Other hazards found in the visual arts include eye damage from ultraviolet and infrared radiation from welding, foundries, kilns, hearing loss from noisy machinery.
Safety hazards from inadequately guarded machines
Damage to the fingers and hands “white fingers” from vibrating pneumatic tools; and ergonomic malaise – damage to muscles, tendons joints and nerves, from inadequately designed tools and repetitive motions – i.e. grinders and power hammers
Often artists are not educated on the hazards associated with their work or the appropriate preventative measures to take to avoid unnecessary risks and adverse effects. These hazards are not limited to artists but also to the audience.
Visual artists, art teachers and even children can be at risk since they often use the same materials and work in the same way.
The chemicals found in art materials can cause a wide variety of occupational illnesses, including damage to skin, eyes, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, nervous system, and the reproductive system.
Illnesses that appear after a single exposure, for example, skin burns from contact with concentrated acids, are called acute illnesses.
Because of the swift onset of symptoms it is fairly simple to relate the exposure source to the health problem. Other occupational diseases, called chronic illnesses, only develop after months, years, or even decades of exposure to a chemical, often at low concentrations overtime, i.e. silicosis.
Some of the toxic substances causing these chronic illnesses are much more insidious and difficult to identify because of the prolonged latency period of the disease.
One example is asbestosis or cancer from long-term exposure to stone dust.
For chemicals to enter the body there are three ways in which this can occur: via skin contact or puncture, inhalation and ingestion.
Many toxic chemicals, however, do not just damage the skin itself, but can actually be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, where they can affect other parts of the body.
Some chemicals, like acids used in etching or solvents like lacquer and paint thinners, can directly irritate the skin to cause a variety of skin problems.
Other chemicals can cause skin allergies, for example formaldehyde found in some colour photography solutions, turpentine, epoxy glues and resins, nickel and chromium compounds.
If the skin’s protective barrier is broken by cuts, burns, rashes, etc, then chemicals, which would not normally be absorbed through the skin may in fact do so. It is therefore important to wear protective gloves.
For materials, which are airborne, such as stone dust, the concern is primarily inhalation.
Some of the chemicals in these materials can cause lung damage or chemical pneumonia lead poisoning, nerve damage, kidney damage and reproductive damage, including miscarriages and birth defects. Examples include:
- Solvent vapours from paints, inks, thinners, etc;
- Spray mists from air brush or aerosol spray cans;
- Gases from photographic baths, pottery kiln firing, and welding
- Metal fumes from soldering, welding and metal casting;
- Dusts from dyes and pigments, pottery glazes, woodworking and grinding.
Ingestion of toxins through pointing paintbrushes with your mouth and other habits such as nail biting can also result in ingestion of toxic art materials. With young children and even older retarded individuals, deliberate ingestion is a serious concern.
Even adults, however, can be poisoned by eating, drinking, smoking, in a studio where their art materials can contaminate these items. Cleanliness is highly advisable at all times.
A variety of factors can influence how great a risk you are taking when working with your art materials. These factors include:
- Amount of Exposure,
- Frequency of Exposure,
- Conditions of Exposure,
- Toxicity,
- Total Body Burden,
- Multiple Exposures.
The creation of art is an investment in humanity’s creativity – which is a perennial, renewable resource. It is therefore pertinent for arts’ authorities and artists, to invest in the health and well-being of the artists. That begins with comprehensive knowledge and practice of a safe and clean environment for the artists to thrive in Zimbabwe.
- Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a practising artist, art critic/consultant and corporate image consultant.
Online Reporter