Solvents and health

I do fairly large oils (averaging 36 to 48 square feet). I use a lot of solvent at times and there is a lot of evaporation. My studio has some ventilation, but it isn't great and I hate having the windows open during the winter. The smell of turpentine is obnoxious, thought tolerable, but I am concerned about the health effects of breathing turpentine and mineral spirits fumes. Would a respirator offer any protection from these fumes? If so, what type? Any other thoughts or recommendations? Thanks, Rob

I was just at the Gamblin web site. They have a lot of info on making your studio safer. Basically the idea is to get rid of turpentine and only use the safest mineral spirits (lowest volatility). Naturally their mineral spirits are the best. In this case they may be right.

I would be careful. I'm suprised you haven't had problems before. Those chemicals are strong and will make you very sick. The effects won't go away quickly once it's in your system.

Good luck, Frank

says...

Wearing a respirator all the time would be a terrible bore, I'd think but it will offer protection if you're really worried. Look for replaceable cartridge types with ORGANIC

I am thinking along the same lines in the use of spray fixative. The commercial spray can variety irritates my lungs. Rather than buy a respirator I was hoping to find some formula for fixative used with mouth sprayer.

About mouth sprayers. Have you ever used one that gave a spray uniform enough to varnish a picture with? I haven't. Your best bet would be an airbrush used with water-soluble acrylic as the fixative spray, IMO. I am not an airbrusher, but seems to me there are acrylic formulations made specifically for air brushing and those include clear acrylic 'varnish' or 'medium.'

Any name brands or further info on that water soluble acrylic?