Flake White paint contains lead

[Karin Wells]

Flake White (oil paint) contains lead.

Lead is a neurotoxic metallic element that can be absorbed by the body, primarily through the lungs and stomach and also through the skin. Lead poisoning occurs when too much lead accumulates in the body. Generally, lead poisoning occurs slowly, resulting from the gradual accumulation of lead in bone and tissue after repeated exposure.

Left untreated, lead poisoning can damage many internal organs, including the kidney, nervous system and brain.

Common symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are;
Fatigue, Depression, Heart failure, Abdominal pain, Gout, Kidney failure, High blood pressure, Wrist or foot weakness, Reproductive problems and Anemia.

There are many safe white oil paints on the market. Gamblin's Flake White Replacement is an effective and safe substitute for Flake White.

[Khaimraj Seepersad]

Yes Karin,

This is quite true. However, a blood test, once or twice a year and good studio hygiene is more than sufficient to handle the problem. As well as proper disposal of rags/paper or solvent.

I am speaking of tubed Flake White, by the way.

W and N also has a Flake White replacement seen in their Winton Series. I have used the W and N and the Gamblin replacement, but I still prefer the Zn0/Ti02 mix I hand mull in walnut oil with a very little stand oil added. The replacements were too translucent and left me a litte nervous about see through.

If you need to understand toxicity in pigments, tubed or dried, ask the druggist for his copy of the Pharmacopoeia (Martin Dale on my side). You may be interested in Cobalt and Manganese (umber and sienna).

Khaimraj

[Tom Martinez]

Karen, God loves you and so do I. But, I can't go along with this. If we are so concerned about the health of our society, teaching the proper use and handling of our tools is the way to go. Toxicity and risks abound in mostly everything that we use in and out of our work materials. Radiation exists in our surroundings. Cancer agents exists in our drinking water. The risk of fire and breathing disorders is found in our handling of solvents. Yes, lead is a hazard. But, so is all of our materials. Most are combustible. Some are poisonous. Some are irritants. Some are sharp. But, are we going to eat them, breathe them, bath in them or set them on fire?

If Gamblin is paying us to support their products, let's do it openly. Let's not scare the pants off of every person who loves to paint and draw. I believe that if we investigate Gamblin products we will find hazards associated with them as well. For instance, odorless turpentine and mineral spirits have the same amount of toxicity as the real article. Just because that you can't smell it doesn't mean that the fumes are not there.

Yes, there are hazards in art materials. Don't eat or smoke in your work area. Don't handle powdered material in a drafty area. Do keep your workshop and tools clean and orderly. Do wear goggles and masks when handling powdered material. Do ventilate your work space. Do wash your hands. Do keep the business end of brushes out of your mouth. Do keep and dispose of rags, paper towels and combustible material in the proper manner (check with your local fire and trash disposal departments).