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


Textile Art Mordants
ID Type of Mordant Other Names Ingestion Haz Inhalation Haz Skin Contact Haz Other Hazards
1 Alum Potassium Aluminum Sulfate, Ammonium Alum, Ammonium Aluminum Sulfate Slightly toxic to moderately toxic Slightly toxic Slightly toxic May cause irritation and allergies
2 Ammonium Hydroxide Ammonia Water Moderately toxic to highly toxic; can be fatal Highly toxic; can cause pneumonia Highly toxic; can cause burns Mixing w/alkalis cause release of ammonia gas; mixing w/chlorine bleach causes poison gas
3 Copper Sulfate Blue Vitriol Highly toxic; causes vomiting, irritation Moderately toxic Slightly toxic May cause skin allergies, irritating to skin, eyes, nose, throat
4 Cream of Tartar Potassium Acid Tartrate Moderately toxic Slightly toxic Slightly toxic Mildly irritating; fatalities have occurred from ingestion of large amounts
5 Ferrous Sulfate Copperas Moderately toxic Slightly toxic Slightly toxic Soluble iron salts are slightly irritating to skin, eyes, nose, throat; can cause poisoning
6 Oxalic Acid
Highly toxic; severe corrosion Highly toxic; severe respiratory irritation Highly toxic; may cause corrosion May cause shock, collapse, possible convulsions, death
7 Potassium Dichromate Potassium bichromate, chrome Extremely toxic Extremely toxic Highly toxic; corrosive Probable carcinogen; can cause fire in contact w/reducing agents, solvents, organic materials
8 Stannous Chloride Tin Chloride Moderately toxic Moderately toxic Slightly toxic Irritating to eyes, mucous membranes
9 Tannin Tannic Acid Moderately toxic Slightly toxic Slightly toxic Possible carcinogen
10 Urea
No significant hazards No significant hazards No significant hazards






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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.
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