Do you like GW Paints? Yes? Sorry.....

[Primarch]

Do Vallejo paints really have toxins in em? I've never read anything to that effect.

From the Vallejo Site.

Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards). In addition to compliance with European Common Market regulations, Acrylicos Vallejo decided in 2004 to begin the process of obtaining the ASTM D-4236 "No Health Labelling Required" certification for the U.S.A. distribution of their products. For a period of two years formulas for our colors were submitted to a U.S. laboratory, and were found within the safety limits set by the ASTM organization. This is a continuing process, as new formulations arise. For more information please see http://www.astm.org.

The ASTM certification, "Conforms to ASTM D-4236" is commonly accepted as a guarantee that the product is not toxic. However this should not be understood as a warrant to use paint without caution, since any color will contain some level of potentially harmful chemicals. Besides pigment and binder, paint contains many more ingredients and although no immediate or long term health hazards are anticipated with the use of any of these chemicals in the prescribed quantities, long term testing for chronic toxicity has been scant and incomplete. Colors should not be ingested or inhaled, no matter what their pigment content may be.

You can read all the details here.

I'd say that it is a safe bet that this applies to all acrylic paints regardless of manufacturer.

[job]

I remember there was one guy who would lick his brushes dry while painting. I think he is still kicking around, so I guess it is all fairly okay.

[me_in_japan]

Brush licking is a very common practice. I've been doing it for near on 20 years, and seem to have survived...

Incidentally, I'm reliably informed that green stuff is pretty toxic, too. For wee odds n sods it's ok, but for full time sculptors it's apparently pretty nasty.

[Admiral-Badruck]

So what prim is saying is devlinmud causes cancer and should never be used. It only serves as a poor replacement for skill. And at the end of the day it puts you at risk for many health conditions.

[Primarch]

So what prim is saying is devlinmud causes cancer and should never be used. It only serves as a poor replacement for skill. And at the end of the day it puts you at risk for many health conditions.

Yes exactl....what? No, wait.....

Seriously though, we do come in contact with a lot of chemicals and hazardous materials through this hobby. I guess its good to remind ourselves to be careful with the materials we use from time to time and not just take things for granted.

P.s. Devlan Mud for life!

[Mike the Pike]

Back OT...

This pick has been floating round the internets for a while now.



I was hoping for a move to Vallejo-style dropper bottles.
Just as long as they don't get rid of Devlan Mud!

[Tenorikuma]

I remember there was one guy who would lick his brushes dry while painting. I think he is still kicking around, so I guess it is all fairly okay.

You don't ingest much by licking, and cadmium doesn't get absorbed through the stomach easily. However, if aerosolized by an airbrush, it can be absorbed through your lungs very easily, and apparently that "no health labelling required" label doesn't take airbrushing into account. I'm actually not the type who normally worries about these things, but I've read enough online to be cautious in this instance.

[job]

Hmm, I had no idea it was common place. I thought using water was more predominant. I guess saliva has its properties that must also help with cleaning the brush of any residue.

(Well, I guess you guys are at the forefront of painting. Daring, and I must say the rest of us can see if it is safe first. )

Anyway, I meant it as a jest. Has anyone else smelled the aroma of cocoa when they open and paint awhile with Scroched Brown? some of the Vallejo browns, too? Maybe I am just hungry, but I wouldn't be surprised some of the pigments are just from common natural sources.

[Primarch]

I find that many of the Vallejo paints I use smell like dish washing detergent. I guess they use a similar chemical or something. Beyond that I haven't noticed much of a smell from my paints except the GW washes which are sometimes quite stinky.

[me_in_japan]

Hmm, I had no idea it was common place. I thought using water was more predominant. I guess saliva has its properties that must also help with cleaning the brush of any residue.

(Well, I guess you guys are at the forefront of painting. Daring, and I must say the rest of us can see if it is safe first. )

Anyway, I meant it as a jest. Has anyone else smelled the aroma of cocoa when they open and paint awhile with Scroched Brown? some of the Vallejo browns, too? Maybe I am just hungry, but I wouldn't be surprised some of the pigments are just from common natural sources.

Hehe, nah - us brushlickers do actually use water, too. I actually checked on CMoN to see if people did like you described, and apparently I'm normal. The process is:

Brush goes into paint.
Paint is applied to mini
Brush is swooshed around in water pot for cleaning
Brush goes into mouth to be re-pointed.
Repeat.

And for what it's worth, yeah - foundation paints totally smell of cocoa, particularly mechrite red.

With regards to inhalable toxins in paint, after seeing my bogeys the first time I airbrushed with no mask, i came to the speedy conclusion that having blue snot was not a healthy thing, regardless of the chemical composition, and have worn a mask ever since. I'd recommend y'all do the same...