Safety Article 1
STUDIO THIRTYEIGHT
SAFETY ARTICLE 1
Safety: Non Toxic
You should also be aware that the word "non-toxic" is unregulated and not covered under any US federal or Canadian law that I can find. The label "non-toxic” can be added to a product when it and its ingredients have been tested using recognized test methods that produce measurable results which can then be published for public consumption. Understand that there are an awful lot of art related materials and products in today’s market place and not all of them have been tested.
TESTING
Art materials are generally tested in accordance with the ASTM 4236 STANDARD PRACTICE FOR LABELING ART MATERIALS FOR CHRONIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ASTM 4236 Document Abstract
This practice describes a procedure for developing precautionary labels for art materials and provides hazard and precautionary statements based upon knowledge that exists in the scientific and medical communities. This practice concerns those chronic health hazards known to be associated with a product or product component(s), when the component(s) is present in a physical form, volume, or concentration that in the opinion of a toxicologist (see 2.1.11) has the potential to produce a chronic adverse health effect(s).
This practice applies exclusively to art materials packaged in sizes intended for individual users of any age or those participating in a small group.
Labelling determinations shall consider reasonable foreseeable use or misuse. The responsibility for precautionary labelling rests with the producer or repackager who markets the materials for art or craft use.
This practice does not specify test methods for determining whether a substance or product presents chronic health hazards.
This practice does not apply to products appropriately labeled for known chronic health hazards in accordance with chemical substance labeling standards and practices, such as another national consensus standard, existing labeling statutes, regulations, or guidelines.
Since knowledge about chronic health hazards is incomplete and warnings cannot cover all uses of any product, it is not possible for precautionary labeling to ensure completely safe use of an art product.
Manufacturers or repackagers may wish to determine individually or collectively precautionary labeling for art materials in accordance with this practice. Compliance may be certified by a certifying organization. Guidelines for a certifying organization are given in Appendix X1.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
END OF ARTICLE 1
