ASTM D4236 Standard Practice for Labeling Art Materials for Chronic Health Hazards

Scope:

To develop the precautionary labels for art materials and provide hazard and precautionary statements based upon science and medical communities, ASTM D 4236 describes the practice. This practice concerns those chronic health hazards known to be associated with a product or product component when the component is present in a physical form, volume, or concentration that in the opinion of a toxicologist has the potential to produce a chronic adverse health effect. This practice applies exclusively to art materials packaged in sizes intended for individual users of any age or those participating in a small group.

Test Procedure:

In the Labeling practice, if the chronic hazard exists, the word WARNING in bold capitals in a size equal to or greater than the statement of potential chronic hazards is written. Then a list of potential chronic hazards are determined and stated. Then the name of all the chronic hazardous components is listed. Safe handling instruction and appropriate precautionary statements as to work practices, personal protection, and ventilation requirements are used. To protect users from known sensitizers found within art materials, each label is contained with a list of those sensitizers present in sufficient amounts to contribute significantly to a known skin or respiratory sensitisation. If an art material contains more than one component capable of causing a chronic adverse health effect, or if a single chemical can cause several different chronic adverse health effects, the potential effects may be combined into one statement. Information sources and health information telephone numbers, 24 hrs Cost-free telephone numbers are stated on the label. Labelling content and product sizes are also given in the label. With all this supplementary information of health and hazard, physical, chemical properties are also stated.

Test Specimen: 

Specimens and be art material such as papier mache, chalk, soap, pens, weaving materials, papier mache, chalk, paper of different sizes, soap or wood, beaverboard, linoleum, dyes, wool for weaving or stitchery, sheet cork.

Data:

Followings are the chronic hazard that can result from art materials.
May cause sterility.
Contact may cause permanent eye damage.
It may be harmful by breathing vapours/dust.
It may be harmful if swallowed.
It may be harmful by skin contact.
May produce congenital disabilities in the developing Fetus.
It may be excreted in human milk.
May cause harm to the nursing infant.
Cancer agent, Exposure may produce cancer.
Possible cancer hazard based on experimental data
May produce allergic reaction by Ingestion/inhalation/skin contact.
May produce numbness or weakness in the Extremities.

Conclusion:

ASTM D 4236 provides perfect labelling practice so it can be used to create awareness and caution for chronic and acute health Hazard for art materials.