Is Your Pastel Studio Safe?
Q. Im concerned about the safety of using pastels in my home studio, but I havent been able to find much information specifically on this medium. What are the best ways to keep an indoor pastel studio safe?
A. Pastel safety is a complicated issue, partly because its a continually evolving one. Artists have been using pastelsgenerally without much concernfor about 250 years now, but recently weve begun to learn about the effects of breathing the dust created by pastel sticks, and it turns out theres good reason for concern. In fact, the health risks are strong enough that every pastel artist should be made aware of them, and Id advise that regularly working in a pastel studio without some level of safety precaution is simply too big a risk for you to take. Ill discuss the precautions shortly, but first Ill explain some of the dangers.
Essentially, there are two fundamental characteristics of the pastel medium that make it dangerous to inhale: the small particle size of the dust and the toxicity of the pigments. Pastel dust consists of extremely fine particles of both pigments and binders. When the dust is inhaled, some particles will deposit in the upper respiratory system, where theyre raised on the lungs mucous and swallowed along with other dust. But more harmfully, a significant portion of the pastel dust particles, especially those from pigments, are small enough to get deep into the lungs air sacs (alveoli), where they may remain indefinitely.
Practically speaking, you can reduce your exposure to the pastel dust in your studio, but you cant adequately control it in the home setting. The particles are essentially invisible, theyre carried throughout the house on clothing and shoes, they go right through common vacuum cleaner filters, and they become airborne on even the smallest air current. If, as your questions implies, the studio is indoors, then you and your family will inevitably be exposed to some level of potentially toxic pastel dust. The only exception to this condition would be if you work with only black, white and a few other low-toxicity colors such as those with iron-based pigments or ultramarine pigments.
Reducing the health risk in your studio basically consists of minimizing the amount of pastel dust floating in the air and clinging to the objects and surfaces in the room. To do this, keep your studio clean and well-ventilated. Make sure it has floors and surfaces that are sealed and easily wet-cleaned, and if you prefer vacuuming, you should get a high-efficiency, particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to capture fine pastel dust. While youre working, wear gloves, a smock, hair covering and work shoes, and dont wear them outside your studio. In addition, launder the clothing separately from your familys other clothes. Wash up thoroughly after your work sessions, and dont eat, drink, apply cosmetics or do other tasks of hygiene in the studio. Also, small children should be kept out of a studio in which professional art materials are used.
Respirators and breathing masks are often recommended for pastelists, but they can provide a false sense of security and even be harmful in some cases. The physical stress caused by breathing through a respirator may be dangerous for people with certain heart and lung diseases, or for women who are pregnant. Plus, respirators are made to fit the average face, and many people cant find one that sufficiently conforms to their own face. If the device doesnt fit, it doesnt work. To wear a mask or respirator, consult your doctor about the breathing stress, then get yourself professionally fit, tested and trained in the use and limitations of the gear.
Finally, pastelists working at home might consider using oil pastels. The look and feel of this medium is somewhat different from dry pastels, but oil pastels dont create dust. They may be the biggest improvement in safety you can make with the smallest sacrifice.
While these measures may sound a bit excessive, any steps you take to reduce your exposure to toxic particles will be worth the effort. You may not notice the benefits right away, but its the long run that counts.
Sheri Ramsey, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, studied art at Indiana University and has operated the Ramsey Art Studio in Springfield, Illinois, since 1974. Shes also taught high school art, as well as oil and pastel painting at the Springfield Art Association since 1975. Her art hangs in public collections throughout the United States and in private collections all over the world. Shes also had several solo and group exhibitions, and is a member of the Pastel Society of America.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I hope your trip to Alaska was amazing, and that you continue to let others know about precautions that can be taken. Wishing you all the best!
Thanks,, Cherie~!~ I try but surprising how much resistance I run into. I’m a retired RN. I know that when your lungs are damaaged, they don’t ever recover. I’m currently still on oxygen after the great Alaska adventure. I know that the diagnosis I was given, interstitial lung disease, is one of the few not related to smoking, but is related to chemical exposure. I worry about where all this is headed for me and wouldn’t wish that kind of worry on anyone! I’m very glad for your article!!! This really gives me a bit more courage about saying something if there’s even an iota of a possibility that it will help someone.