The art room in a school, office or your home can be a wonderful place where creativity knows no limit. It can also be a place where airborne chemicals cause your air quality to be poor, and your health to suffer because of it.
Even limited exposure to volatile organic chemicls can cause acute symptoms such as burning throat, watery or dry eyes, headaches and nausea. Prolonged exposure can cause all of the same symptoms and can cause long term health problems that are not so easily remedied.
Here are 6 easy and cost effective ways to clean up the air in your art room starting today.
Keep Containers Closed--Many chemicals used to paint, spray, and clean up contain volatile organic chemicals which by nature evaporate easily into the air and can then be inhaled by all in the room. As an artist you are probably well acquainted with these solutions. Literally keeping the lid on will greatly reduce the possibility of fumes evaporating into your air.
Buy Products that are Ready to Use--It's true you may save money by being willing to buy products as a powder and mix them yourself, but this sends fine particles up your nose and into the air making it unhealthy to even breathe. The additional cost of premixed products is well worth the long term savings on your health.
Go Green--Look for products that are easier on the environment because fewer volatile organic chemicals are use in their manufacturing process. They are better for you and leave less of a footprint on the earth.
Avoid Sprays--Whenever possible, dip or brush your project. A HEPA mask is an excellent way to avoid exposure to fumes and vapors, particularly if you need to spray for more than a few seconds. A room that is properly ventilated will help keep air quality high by preventing a build up of harmful vapors.
Use Water to Clean--Use a damp cloth to clean tables, chairs, and other furniture rather than a dry duster, and damp mop the floor rather than sweeping. This will lessen the amount of particulates that are sent airborne.
Use a Chemical Air Purifier--Constant removal of the airborne chemicals is essential to maintaining healthy air quality. A high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) air purifier that has an inner filter specifically designed to remove chemicals, and that is built to run 24 hours every day will insure that the air is fresh and clean, and that you and every one who enters will maintain good health despite their time spent in the art room.
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