Health & Safety in the Arts
A Searchable Database of
Health & Safety Information for Artists


Jewelry
ID Jewelry Tech Ingestion Haz Inhalation Haz Skin Contact Haz Other Hazards Precautions
1 JEWELRY




2 Silver Soldering
Cadmium extremely toxic; Antimony highly toxic; flux fumes highly toxic Silver particles cause blue-black stain Carcinogenic; thermal burns; infrared radiation; flammable; acids corrosive Don't use cadmium, avoid antimony; use borax fluxes, instead of fluoride; wear respirator, gloves, goggles w/#4 shade; use ventilation; use Sparex; don't use asbestos; if acid splashes, rinse off
3 Soldering Lead highly toxic, Antimony highly toxic Lead highly toxic; Antimony highly toxic; flux fumes moderately irritating Zinc chloride corrosive; flux fumes irritating to eyes Hot metal can cause thermal burns Use lead- and antimony-free solders; avoid zinc chloride and rosin fluxes; use respirator, ventilation; avoid contact w/hot soldering iron
4 Lost Wax Casting
Silica highly toxic; cuttlebone dust irritating Sodium silicate moderately toxic Molten metal can splash and burn Use nonsilica plaster; do mixing of silica in glove box; wear respirator, gloves, goggles; wet mop dust; clean cuttlebone; wet sand; make sure centrifugal casting equipment is balanced, w/protective shield
5 Electroplating Cyanide salts extremely toxic Cyanide salts highly toxic Cyanide salts highly toxic; gold salts can cause allergic reactions Acid added to cyanide forms hydrogen cyanide (extremely toxic); risk of shock Avoid cyanide plating solution; send piece out to be plated; use cyanide solution in laboratory hood only; keep antidote kit available; if poisoning occurs, give amyl nitrite; don't touch wires; don't pour cyanide in sink
6 Annealing, Cleaning, Polishing,& Finishing Cyanide extremely toxic Cyanide extremely toxic Cyanide extremely toxic Sodium & Potassium cyanide extremely toxic Avoid cyanide plating solution; use cyanide solution in lab hood only; keep antidote kit available; if poisoning occurs, give amyl nitrite; don't pour cyanide down sink
7 ENAMELING




8 Cleaning the Metal Surface
Kiln/torch fumes haz.; nitrogen dioxide gas highly toxic Sulfuric, nitric acids highly corrosive; diluted acids, Sparex irritating Kilns/torches can cause thermal burns Wear welder's gloves, long-sleeve cotton shirts, splash goggles, protect. apron; use tongs; kiln should have canopy hood; avoid fire; if acid spills, rinse w/water; use ventilation; neutralize acid w/baking soda
9 Preparing Enamels Lead highly toxic Lead highly toxic
Lead-safe doesn't mean it doesn't contain lead Use lead-free, ready-made enamels; place sifters on top of each other to minimize dust; sift in glove box; wear respirator, gloves; don't eat, smoke, drink in studio; wash hands after working
10 Applying Enamels Turpentine moderately toxic Gum tragacanth irritating, enamel dust highly toxic; turpenine moderately toxic Enamel dust irritating; turpentine moderately toxic; potash corrosive Contact w/ferric chloride or nitric acid haz. to skin & eyes Brush/dip enamels instead of dusting/spraying; spray in spray booth; use respirator; wear gloves; avoid accidental ingestion; prevent fire; use ferric chloride instead of nitric acid; don't heat ferric chloride
11 Firing Enamels
Metals, fluorides emitted are haz. Hot kilns emit infrared radiation, causing cataracts Hot enamel can cause thermal burns All enameling kilns should be vented; wear welder's gloves, long-sleeve cotton shirts; use tongs; use goggles w/shade number of 1.8 to 3
12 Finishing Enamels Hydrofluoric acid extremely toxic; ammonium bifluoride highly toxic Particles haz.; hydrofluoric acid highly corrosive Hydrofluoric acid highly toxic; ammonium bifluoride highly toxic
Do wet grinding; wear protect. goggles, gloves, face shield; don't use hydrofluoric acid; use ammonium bifluoride pastes instead; use hydrofluoric acid in lab hood only; treat hydrofluoric acid as haz. Waste
13 Hazards of Finished Enamels Metals soluble in stomach acid


Enameled pieces should never be used for holding food or drink because of the risk of toxic metals leaching into food or liquid






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This information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and is based on public domain information that is believed to be reliable. The City of Tucson makes no warranty as to the completeness or accuracy thereof. The information is to be used at an individual's own risk.
This web site is sponsored by the City of Tucson's Environmental Management Division through an Environmental Justice Grant.

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