Art Hazards and Children's Health at OEHHA

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, we are providing you with 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," dated September 29, 2009. Additionally, we include products that have been recalled as reported by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

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.

Other Resources

• California Department of Education

Visual and Performing Arts

• Tools for Schools Program (USEPA)

Indoor air quality in schools

• CalMax

Free source of used materials. By reusing materials, we conserve energy, resources, and landfill space, while reducing disposal, green house gas emissions, and purchasing costs.

Lead Jewelry and Children's Health

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is responsible for enforcing California's law to protect children and adults from exposure to lead in jewelry.

The law restricts the amount of lead in jewelry by identifying what materials may be used, as well as establishing lead concentration thresholds that may not be exceeded. This Fact Sheet has been developed to help consumers and people in the jewelry industry understand the law and its requirements.

Documents

Art materials that cannot be purchased for use in kindergarten through 6th gradeSep 30, 2016

Art Smarts! Quick Tips for Safe Use of Art and Craft MaterialsOct 1, 2014