Leonardo

Health Hazards Manual for ArtistsAuthor(s): Michael McCannSource: Leonardo, Vol. 10, No. 3 (Summer, 1977), p. 264Published by: The MIT PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1573492 .

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mythological figure with an actor's role in a movie But I think not only can this be done with intellectual honesty but it would be intellectually dishonest not to do so.

Finally. Conant devotes one third of his review to a mini- lecture on urban planning. He says, for example: 'First, it is critically important for college students ... to learn that many "antiquated" buildings should be rehabilitated and restored, rather than replaced with high-rise complexes.' He not only wastes a lot of words, he totally misconstrues the meaning of the pages referred to. The text (pp. 120-121) does not recommend new high-rises as a solution to city planning; furthermore, just five pages later it specifically praises the recent movement toward 'revitalizing old neighborhoods in the inner city'.

Jack A. Hobbs 811 Highpoint Road

Normal, IL 61761, U.S.A.

'Health Hazards Manual for Artists'

mythological figure with an actor's role in a movie But I think not only can this be done with intellectual honesty but it would be intellectually dishonest not to do so.

Finally. Conant devotes one third of his review to a mini- lecture on urban planning. He says, for example: 'First, it is critically important for college students ... to learn that many "antiquated" buildings should be rehabilitated and restored, rather than replaced with high-rise complexes.' He not only wastes a lot of words, he totally misconstrues the meaning of the pages referred to. The text (pp. 120-121) does not recommend new high-rises as a solution to city planning; furthermore, just five pages later it specifically praises the recent movement toward 'revitalizing old neighborhoods in the inner city'.

Jack A. Hobbs 811 Highpoint Road

Normal, IL 61761, U.S.A.

'Health Hazards Manual for Artists'

I would like to make some comments on George Agoston's review of my book [Leonardo 10, 172 (1977)] and on the continuing debate over the safety of acrylic and other polymer emulsions.

I would like to make some comments on George Agoston's review of my book [Leonardo 10, 172 (1977)] and on the continuing debate over the safety of acrylic and other polymer emulsions.

First, unfortunately, the cost of the manual has increased to $2.50 plus 25i postage (for air mail to Europe, add $1.00) Second, I would agree that the rule 'add acid to water' does not apply to all acids. Since, however, it does apply to some of the commonest acids used by artists-including concentrated sulphuric, nitric and phosphoric acids, I believe that it is a good general rule to follow for all acids. Finally, as to Agoston's comments about the safety of acrylic and other polymer emulsions, I am in full agreement with him. I have had several complaints about eye and respiratory irritation from the users of acrylic emulsions. Material Safety Data Sheets for Rohm and Haas' Rhoplex AC-234 (the replacement for the Rhoplex AC-34 acrylic emulsion) showed the presence of small amounts of ammonia and formaldehyde, which they said 'may cause irritation of eyes and nose'.

A further problem with these emulsions is that people who have developed allergies to formaldehyde can react to even the small amounts found in acrylic resins (as well as many other art materials). As to the hazards of all the other additives in these emulsions, there is no reliable information. However, I would definitely state that I would not consider these emulsions to be 'non-toxic'.

Michael McCann Art Hazards Resource Center

220 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10001, U.S.A.

First, unfortunately, the cost of the manual has increased to $2.50 plus 25i postage (for air mail to Europe, add $1.00) Second, I would agree that the rule 'add acid to water' does not apply to all acids. Since, however, it does apply to some of the commonest acids used by artists-including concentrated sulphuric, nitric and phosphoric acids, I believe that it is a good general rule to follow for all acids. Finally, as to Agoston's comments about the safety of acrylic and other polymer emulsions, I am in full agreement with him. I have had several complaints about eye and respiratory irritation from the users of acrylic emulsions. Material Safety Data Sheets for Rohm and Haas' Rhoplex AC-234 (the replacement for the Rhoplex AC-34 acrylic emulsion) showed the presence of small amounts of ammonia and formaldehyde, which they said 'may cause irritation of eyes and nose'.

A further problem with these emulsions is that people who have developed allergies to formaldehyde can react to even the small amounts found in acrylic resins (as well as many other art materials). As to the hazards of all the other additives in these emulsions, there is no reliable information. However, I would definitely state that I would not consider these emulsions to be 'non-toxic'.

Michael McCann Art Hazards Resource Center

220 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10001, U.S.A.

Letters Letters 264 264

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