Endangered Species: The ArtistAuthor(s): Rhoda SherbellSource: Art Journal, Vol. 34, No. 4 (Summer, 1975), pp. 314-315Published by: College Art AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/775911 .

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Endangered Species: The Artist

RHODA SHERBELL

Are you aware that many materials that artists use today are insidious killers? Facts are emerging that your vital organs and brain are under attack.

This health alert is for the study and investigation into the safe usage of art materials by practicing artists in all art-related fields. The Professional Artists Guild, as a responsible art organization, wishes to invite other concerned art organiza- tions to join in its efforts to bring an awareness of how specific art materials can be injurious to health.

In view of the fact that continuous and profound investigation is given to the conservation of art involving painting, sculpture, paper, and objects, it is our deep concern to see that the same care and investigation is given to all living artists. These materials also affect teachers and students in the

public schools. We feel it necessary to conduct a study into the uses and abuses of art materials to factfind and gather information from art practitioners in all media, the ultimate

goal being to help serve the living artist to pursue his creative endeavors in good health and long life.

It is the P.A.G.'s desire in the not too distant future to have a program to help serve the health needs of the art

community. To publish a handy easily-read-in-lay-terms lifesaving manual for the artist.

This manual will list:

1. Toxic materials and the correct approach in using them. 2. Ways to safely design art studios, with illustrations to serve

as a guide. 3. Where to buy equipment and appliances to serve your

studio and school needs. 4. Hospitals and clinics to care for your health needs with

information on the type and frequency of examination. 5. To have lectures, seminars, and caucus groups at our local

museums where artists and teachers can participate in

discussions concerning the problems related to their media, with biochemists, medical doctors and engineers.

What effects will this study have:

A. For the first time artists in each medium will pool ideas concerning their very special needs, helping themselves to overcome their health problems.

B. All schools should have as part of their art program special classes on the hazards and the proper methods of using these materials.

C. To have panels of artists who became ill share their experiences and further help those artists working with hazardous materials.

D. To influence manufacturers to find safe substitutes for toxic materials and to see that all materials are labeled adequately as to their hazard to health.

E. To alert government agencies to their responsibility in a long-neglected area: the protection of the artist by law from the manufacture and marketing of hazardous materials (already in effect) by more stringent supervision.

F. To enlist the help of the Nassau County Department of Health to test new materials and consistently advise the artist of their hazards and use.

G. To have physicians who will specialize in the particular medical problems of the artist.

These results can only be achieved with the cooperation of the entire artistic community. Please fill out the following questionnaire and send it to Rhoda Sherbell, Chairman of the Professional Artists Guild Committee for the Survival of the Artist, P.O. Box 737, Westbury, N.Y. 11590.

ART JOURNAL, XXXIV/4 314

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SURVEY OF HEALTH HAZARDS TO ARTISTS, ART TEACHERS, AND RELATED ART FIELDS

OCCUPATION AGE SEX COUNTY MEDIUM SIZE OF STUDIO: HEIGHT WIDTH LENGTH DO YOU WORK AND LIVE IN THE SAME PLACE? TYPE OF VENTILATION DO YOU USE SOLVENTS? LIST HOW DO YOU STORE YOUR SOLVENTS? HOW DO YOU DISPOSE OF YOUR WASTE MATERIALS? METAL CAN PLASTIC OTHER DO YOU EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR MATERIALS? DO YOU WASH YOUR WORK CLOTHES WITH THE FAMILY CLOTHES? YES NO HOW MANY HOURS PER DAY DO YOU WORK WITH YOUR DESCRIBED MATERIAL? MATERIAL? DAYS PER WEEK AMOUNT OF TIME PER YEAR? IF YOU USE DRY CLAYS OR PLASTER, HOW DO YOU HOUSEKEEP? WET MOP BROOM VACUUM CLEAN OTHER DO YOU USE A SPRAY GUN? YES NO AIR BRUSH? YES NO SPRAY CANS? YES NO HOW DO YOU HEAT YOUR STUDIO? GAS OIL KEROSENE OTHER IS THE HEATING UNIT IN THE STUDIO? YES NO DO YOU TAKE SPECIAL CARE IN CLEANING UNDER YOUR FINGERNAILS AFTER WORK? YES NO DO YOU EAT ANY MEALS IN YOUR STUDIO? YES NO WHAT NEW MATERIALS ARE YOU USING? DESCRIBE DO YOU USE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING? IF SO WHAT KIND? RESPIRATOR GOGGLES GLOVES EAR PLUGS PROTECTIVE SKIN CREAM FIRST AID KIT FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHAT KIND? WATER VENTED SOLVENT CABINET SPRAY BOOTH HAVE YOU EVER CONTRACTED ANY MAJOR DISEASES OR BEEN SICK FOR MORE THAN 7 CONSECUTIVE DAYS POSSIBLY RELATED TO YOUR WORKING WITH CERTAIN MATERIALS? IF SO, DESCRIBE DO YOU HAVE FREQUENT SKIN REACTIONS? DO YOU HAVE BREATHING DIFFICULTIES? DO YOU SMOKE, IF SO HOW MUCH? DO YOU HAVE OTHER FREQUENT COMPLAINTS (HEADACHES, FLU, NAUSEA, FATIGUE, ETC.)? DO YOUR EYES SMART? DESCRIBE DO YOU GET BLISTERING, SWELLING? DESCRIBE DO YOU USE CAUSTICS OR ACIDS? DESCRIBE

IF YOU WISH TO GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS YOU MAY DO SO. YOUR NAME WILL NOT BE USED WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY WISH TO ADD TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE OR FURTHER INFORMATION YOU WISH TO OFFER WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED. A MANUAL WILL BE COMPILED FROM THE INFORMATION COLLECTED AND FROM THE ADVICE OF MEDICAL, HEALTH, AND ENGINEERING AUTHORITIES FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE ARTISTS IN THE CARE OF THEIR HEALTH. A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MANUAL'S PUBLICATION WILL BE MADE TO ALL ARTISTS.

SUMMER 1975 315

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