Art Hazards

Image of paint Brushes dipping into paint containers The California Education Code Section 32064 prohibits schools from ordering or purchasing any product that contains toxic or carcinogenic substances for use in grades K-6. The law also restricts the purchase of such products in grades 7-12, allowing the use only if the product bears a label informing the user of the presence of hazardous ingredients, the potential health effects, and instructions for the safe use. This restriction applies whether or not the product is included on the list of unacceptable art and crafts supplies.

Section 32066 of the Education Code requires that OEHHA develop a list of art and crafts materials "which cannot be purchased or ordered" for use in kindergarten or grades one through six.

Accordingly, OEHHA has compiled a list of unacceptable products -- those which "cannot be purchased" for use in kindergarten through 6th grade. The products are those listed among the Arts and Creative Materials Institute's (ACMI) determinations of products that require a "Caution Label". Other art and craft materials on the list are products recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as those brought to OEHHA’s attention as bearing health hazard labels.

For more information, you can refer to the guidelines that OEHHA has developed for the purchasing and safe use of art and craft materials in schools, along with a fact sheet with quick tips for the safe use of art and craft materials.