20:40
Faizan
Mold making studios regularly use solvents for multiple purposes. Most silicone mold rubbers and polyurethane resins are mixed or thinned with a compatible solvent. Only then can the material be used for making molds and casts.
Even specialized silicone and other paint systems need to be thinned with a solvent for airbrush applications. Some solvents even serve well for enlarging or shrinking molds.
Solvent are not only used in mold making materials, but are used to clean surfaces. The same solvents serve also well for cleaning brushes, tools and even spills.
The other side
The problem with most solvents, especially the organic ones, is that they emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The VOCs can contain various chemicals and are easily released in the form of imperceptible gases at room temperature itself and are often carcinogenic if inhaled over long periods.
When used indoors in the studio, the concentration of the VOCs is much higher (2 to 5 times or even 10 times on occasion) then if used in the open air. While artists definitely wear gloves and other protective clothing to protect their skin, they often fail to use a filtered mask and end up breathing in the harmful fumes.
Having proper ventilation and using exhaust fans can only help reduce the concentration of VOCS, but will not get rid of them completely. Respirators are also only partially useful in limiting the exposure as the harmful carbon compounds will linger in the air for long periods of time.
Moreover, while high levels of VOCs become obvious because of the odor, some VOCs are quite odorless. To add to this, solvents can even emit VOCs during storage in closed containers.
The effects can be quite dangerous and even varied depending on the chemical released, its particular toxicity, volume of air indoors and so on.
Short term exposure can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, skin allergies, headaches, nausea, fatigue or dizziness to even visual disorder, loss of coordination or memory impairment. It is even known to worsen symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems. And constant long-term exposure to these VOCs can damage the liver, kidneys, the central nervous system or even lead to cancer.
Even specialized silicone and other paint systems need to be thinned with a solvent for airbrush applications. Some solvents even serve well for enlarging or shrinking molds.
Solvent are not only used in mold making materials, but are used to clean surfaces. The same solvents serve also well for cleaning brushes, tools and even spills.
The other side
The problem with most solvents, especially the organic ones, is that they emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The VOCs can contain various chemicals and are easily released in the form of imperceptible gases at room temperature itself and are often carcinogenic if inhaled over long periods.
When used indoors in the studio, the concentration of the VOCs is much higher (2 to 5 times or even 10 times on occasion) then if used in the open air. While artists definitely wear gloves and other protective clothing to protect their skin, they often fail to use a filtered mask and end up breathing in the harmful fumes.
Having proper ventilation and using exhaust fans can only help reduce the concentration of VOCS, but will not get rid of them completely. Respirators are also only partially useful in limiting the exposure as the harmful carbon compounds will linger in the air for long periods of time.
Moreover, while high levels of VOCs become obvious because of the odor, some VOCs are quite odorless. To add to this, solvents can even emit VOCs during storage in closed containers.
The effects can be quite dangerous and even varied depending on the chemical released, its particular toxicity, volume of air indoors and so on.
Short term exposure can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, skin allergies, headaches, nausea, fatigue or dizziness to even visual disorder, loss of coordination or memory impairment. It is even known to worsen symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems. And constant long-term exposure to these VOCs can damage the liver, kidneys, the central nervous system or even lead to cancer.
Posted in: arts
