Studio Safety Guidelines

 

The products listed on our web site are considered relatively non-toxic, but it is best to avoid unnecessary exposure. Keep in mind that they are industrial chemicals and not intended for inhalation or ingestion. We encourage teachers to advise students about safety precautions and proper use of safety equipment, clean work habits and responsible use of products.

 

All artists should use the following common sense safeguards:

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas where dyes and chemicals are used.

• Work in a well-ventilated area.

• If you experience an adverse symptom to anything, move away from the area to fresh air. If the symptoms persist, stop using the product & consult your physician.

• Wear a disposable dust/mist respirator if you dye fabric occasionally. If you dye fabric on a regular basis wear a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator with cartridges for dusts, mists, and fumes. Disposable dust/mist respirators don't help with fumes.

• Even though dyes are not absorbed by the skin you should wear rubber gloves, old clothes or protective clothing, and even old shoes.

• Wear goggles when working with corrosive chemicals such as acetic acid and lye (you only have one set of eyes).

• Contact lens wearers should be careful around powders to avoid eye irritation.

• Cover your work area with dampened newspaper. Weigh and mix dyes and other powders with local exhaust ventilation or use a mixing box. See Helpful Information at right.

• Do not mix powders near furnace or air conditioner intake pipes.

• Use appropriate utensils to stir solutions and dye baths. If you use food utensils as dyeing tools don't reuse them for food preparation.

• Avoid exposure to dye powders, auxiliary chemicals and vapors during pregnancy or lactation.

• Avoid prolonged or repeated contact with the skin.

• Vacuum floors and surfaces, do not sweep.

• Keep dye and auxiliary containers closed and in a cool dry place, away from food and out of the reach of children when not in use.

• Wipe up spills immediately. Liquid dye dried to a powder can be accidentally inhaled or ingested.

• Label dye container with purchase date to insure out of date dye is not used. See page 24 for shelf life information.

• Clearly label all solutions and containers of powder. Do not remove the supplier's name or hazard warning labels.

• Always add acid to water.

• Always add Lye to cold water.

Disposal

Quantities of dyes and auxiliary chemicals used by home dyers rarely exceed limits set for disposal in municipal or even septic systems. Concentrated highly acidic or alkaline waste water can upset the balance of a septic system. The amount of rinse water used for a normal dye bath is sufficient to dilute your dye bath for disposal purposes. Therefore, waste water disposal should not be a problem. If you have questions about disposal contact your local board of health for guidelines specific to your area.

 

Clean Up

Clean up work area with damp sponge and towels. Remove dye stains with a household cleaner containing bleach. Do not use bleach to remove dye stains from hands. Instead use a specifically designed hand cleaner - ReduRan. While hands are dry, rub a small amount of hand cleaner on hands and work in well. Add a small amount of water and work until dye residue is loosened. Wash off thoroughly with soap and water and dry hands. Repeat as necessary.

 

Protect those who cannot protect themselves - children and pets. Clearly label dyes and auxiliary chemicals and keep in safe storage and out of the reach of children. Supervise children carefully.

 

Helpful Information

How to make a mixing box Cut off the top and one side of a 10"x10" cardboard box. Cut a stack of newspapers the size of the inside dimensions and place them inside the box. Dampen the surface of the newspaper with a sponge or spray bottle filled with water. Measure dye or auxiliary powder and dissolve it with water. Once the powder is mixed with water, carefully roll up the top sheet of newspaper and discard. This way any excess powder that falls on the damp newspaper does not blow around.

 

Wax

Waxes pose a specific set of safety concerns. Read and follow the guidelines below before batiking with hot wax.

• Always use proper ventilation in your work area. Create a local exhaust system by putting a portable exhaust fan in a window, so it pulls air from the room to the outside.

• Heated wax releases irritating chemicals including acrolein and aldehydes. There is no approved MSHA/NIOSH filter for acrolein. A respirator is not a substitute for good ventilation

• Heat wax to the lowest temperature at which it remains liquid.

• Hot wax is a fire hazard. Do not leave it unattended.

• Wax forms potentially hazardous vapors at high temperatures and may ignite. Do not use open flames, such as a gas or propane burner, to heat wax. Instead use a crock pot or electric fry pan with a temperature control.

 

California Proposition 65

California Proposition 65 is a labeling act that requires a special label on products that contain (in any amount) any chemical on the Prop 65 list. Many household items including rubbing alcohol and some bug sprays are on the list, as well as car exhaust and cigarette smoke. You will find this label on many of our products because trace amounts of these listed chemicals such as copper, Ethyl Oxide and rubbing alcohol are on the Prop 65 list.

 

Material Safety Data Sheets

We have MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on all our products. This information sheet details precautions, potential health hazards, and clean up information for industrial applications. Free copies are available upon request for each item purchased or you can download the MSDS from our web site.