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Health hazard evaluation of art materials used at the Cooper Union School of Art, New York

NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) has just released the report on the first health hazard evaluation to be carried out at an art school by a government agency. The survey, which took place at Cooper Union's art school, located in New York City, in April and December of 1975 and March 1976, was conducted at Cooper Union's own request. George Sadek, Dean of Cooper Union's School of Art and Architecture, said that they decided to request NIOSH to carry out this evaluation because he felt that 'the schools have to show concern for the health and safety of artists of the future.' As stated in the NIOSH report, the purpose of the survey was 'to evaluate the exposure of students, faculty and technical assistants to materials used by artists and craftspersons.' The survey covered the areas of print-making, painting, metal-casting, woodworking and plastic sculpture. Since the results of this survey are applicable to art schools all across the country, I am going to quote the Conclusions and Recommendations from the report in their entirety: It is believed that most of the chemicals and processes to which students, faculty, and technical personnel at the Cooper Union School of Art are exposed have no serious and long-lasting health effects. This is primarily due to the fact that exposure times are usually brief and sporadic in nature. However, there are a few exceptions to this, notably the exposure to silica, benzene (benzol), and lead. Although exposures to these substances also are occasional, it is believed that even short-term exposures to concentrations in the ranges of those measured during this investigation may have potentially toxic effects. Several substances used at Cooper Union may produce transient irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and may dry and defat the skin. The solvents used in etching, lithography, silk screening, and painting are in this category. Concentrations of mineral spirits, lithotine/benzine, toluene, xylene, acetone, and styrene are not judged to be a health hazard at the concentrations measured during this evaluation. It is recognized that concentrations may be higher at times of increased activity in these areas, however, since these exposures are shortterm and occur intermittently, they are not believed to be capable of producing any long-term health effects. Concentrations of wood dust encountered in the sculpture area also are believed to be capable of producing transient irritation of the upper respiratory tract. Although longterm health effects are not likely with limited exposure times, the evidence from woodworking industries that more