Printmaking: Workplace Health & Safety-MSDS Methylated Spirits

Hello, thanks for taking the time to read my blog on printmaking.

To find the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Methylated Spirits simply type the brand (Diggers) and product name (Methylated Spirits) into a search engine.
I have listed some of the content found on the MSDS for your reference.

Methylated Spirits also known as Denatured Alcohol; Metho; Denatured Ethanol; Industrial Methylated Spirits.
Non-Hazardous according to criteria of workplace Australia
Use: General purpose solvent
Ingredients: Ethyl alcohol   64-17-2                     95.8-99.9%
Water                               7732-18-5                 4.2-0.2%
Denaturant            <0.1% Denaturants may be one or more of the following: Methyl isobutyl ketone, fluorescein, diethyl phthalate, tertiary butyl alcohol, brucine sulphate or denatonium benzoate.
Health Hazard Information
Acute:
Ingestion: Irritating. May cause coughing, headache, dullness, abdominal spasm and diarrhoea.
Eye: Liquid and high vapour concentration are irritating and may cause watering of the eyes.
Skin: Mildly irritating. Contact with the product may defat the skin and may contribute to dermatitis.
Inhalation: Highly volatile. Vapours are irritating to the eyes, nose and throat and effect the central nervous system, causing coughing, headache, nausea and dizziness. Higher concentrations may cause unconsciousness and coma. Death may result from severe and continued exposure.
Chronic: inhalation and ingestion are the routes of entry into the body. The product defats the skin and prolonged or repeated contact may contribute to dermatitis.
Precautions for use:
Engineering control: Ventilation requirements depend on the quantity of product in use and the method of application. Ventilation should be sufficient to maintain vapour levels below the appropriate exposure standard. Use only in well ventilated areas unless forced air ventilation id employed, this is due to the fire hazard as well as the risks from inhalation. Local exhaust ventilation may be required.
Personal Protection: Requirements re dependant on working conditions, quantity of product in use and method of application. For minor use safety goggles and nitrile, neoprene, polyvinal chloride (PVC) or natural rubber gloves may be sufficient. If large quantities are in use; chemical resistant safety goggles, gloves or gauntlets and overalls. A half face respirator with organic solvent vapour filter is required unless the area is well ventilated. In confined or poorly ventilated areas use air supplied breathing apparatus. N.B. TAKE THE LIMITS OF ABSORPTION CAPACITY INTO ACCOUNT. CHANGE FILTERS REGULARLY.
For full safety report check the MSDS for the Methylated Spirits stored in your studio.

Happy Printmaking!
Warmly
Jo Lankester
P.S Discover how to turn your passion into profits at www.howtogetstartedinprintmaking.com
P.P.S There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day.
Alexander Woollcott


Making Art Safely: Alternative Methods and Materials in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Graphic Design, and Photography

Getting Started in Printmaking: MSDS Sheets

Hello, thanks for reading my blog on printmaking.

The traditional printmaking studio is often home to toxic chemicals, in recent years there has been a conscious shift for printmaking artists to move towards a more green studio with the use of non toxic inks, grounds, stop outs and less harmful acids to both persons and the environment.
I highly recommend that you read and print a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet for all chemicals including solvents and inks that you purchase for your studio.

Australia has a national company titled Chemwatch who provide businesses and companies computer-based chemical management and data systems. Their philosophy is "It's not the hazard, it's the risk"
To locate a MSDS for a chemical type into a search engine the company or product name including the name of the product, for e.g. Diggers Mineral Turpentine click on search.
Read and print off the MSDS sheet and keep all records in one place for quick reference when required.
Note if it is considered a hazardous or non hazardous chemical by the country you live.
This product is an Australian made product and the MSDS sheet is for use by Australian Workplace Safety Standards. These standards may change according to each countries safety standards.

Happy Printmaking!
Warmly
Jo Lankester
P.S Have you ever wondered why so many printmaking artists fail to sell their art on line then go to www.howtogetstartedinprintmaking.com
P.P.S All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination. Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.
Napoleon Hill

Health and Safety in Printmaking A Manual for Printmakers