his Q&A blog is open for all to participate. Feel free to ask your own questions and answer questions posted by others. I know all of you have a wealth of information and experience on healthy living and you are welcome to share it here. 
Art Supplies
Is healing lasting?
Hello Debra, I am an art conservator and during my career I have been exposed to many toxic chemicals such as toluene. I have become quite sensitive to all smells like turpentine, white spirit etc. along with perfumes. I am thinking of changing career as an art teacher but I will not be able to practise with my sensitivity.Can I get healed and be better when slightly exposed to vapours from different paints? thank you, Teo UK
Your best chance for recovery is to reduce your exposures to toxic chemicals as much as possible. That said, you will never be able to avoid them 100% because of the toxics in the larger environment.
This is one of the reasons I take detox drops. I recommend them to everyone to help offset the effects of those toxic chemicals we cannot avoid.
In all the years I have been doing this work, and in my own healing, I have found that people try to "hold on" to toxic exposures. In my case it was a particular brand of red lipstick. It was the perfect shade for me and took me a long time to find. But when I stopped wearing it, my body began to heal to a degree that it did not prior. I've known people who did everything but remove their carpet and then started healing better when they removed it.
I would encourage you to find or develop a nontoxic art form that you can enjoy and be healthy with, and teach to others so they can be healthy and artful as well. I use colored pencils, soy crayons, my computer, and other nontoxic materials to be creative.
professional artist gone MCS
Hi! I am (or at least was) a professional artist who has recently gotten MCS. I am selling off all of my oil paints, and I've dropped out of my graduate program in art. My question is, is it still ok to use:
-acrylics (I use ones by Utrecht)?
-gouche
-water colors
-block printing ink
-any kind of glue????
any advice on how to continue to be an artist with this condition would be so helpful- art has always been my primary means of expression, and I've become extremely depressed with out being able to paint for fear of toxic exposure.
Blessings,
Rachel
I'm not a professional artist, but I find it acceptable to use water-based pens and markets and Prismacolor colored pencils.
Readers, your recommendations?
Safe Dry Erase Markers for School
My daughter is highly chemical sensitive and cannot be around even low odor dry erase markers. (at least none that I've found locally) I need to find some that will work because her classroom has NO CHALKBOARD! Any suggestions for markers with no odor? (PS, we tried the wipe off crayons and they don't er...wipe off) Thanks so much!!! School started today, so any replies will be much appreciated.
I use a "fine point" marker called Vis-A-Vis that I get at Staples. But if you need a broad tip...I don't know.
Readers?
Watercolor markers revisited
I've been investigating water-based markers for use in an Interior Design class since posting here re:same, Jan. 8th. I have discovered Tombow markers in an impressive array of colors, comparable to the Prismacolors the class list specifies. My instructor is amenable to substitution, so I'd like to put the question out to all: Has anyone with mild to moderate chemical sensitivity used Tombow water-based markers, and have you had a problem with them?
I need to purchase within the next couple of days, and will be grateful for an answer at your earliest convenience.
Thanks.
Readers?
Markers
I'm going to be taking a Color Rendering class as part of an Interior Design curriculum and will be using color markers and pencils. I cannot use markers with solvents or a strong smell due to chemical sensitivities. Please advise me (ASAP) as to the brands of non-toxic markers with the color range required for interior design drawing. Thanks so much. (And now that I know the currently available edition of Home Safe Home is the new one, I'll get that, but need the marker info right away.)
What you want to do is go to a art supply store and get water-based markers. I use STABILayout markers. Lots of colors. I just searched for a webpage and couldn't find one. Maybe they are no longer available.
Try asking The Art and Creative Materials Institute. They keep track of safe art supplies.
Is Cadmium paint safe after it's dried?
Debra, This is a great website and I appreciate what you are doing to help all of us be healthier and happier. Thank you. My question is about paint. I have used paint for years in artwork and I am now concerned over the message that acrylics contain cadimium. It tells you not to spray it, but my concern is I use this in painting childrens rooms with various children themes. After it is dry how dangerous is this to the children or adults? This is a big concern for artist and purchasing original art work. Thank you.
Cheryle Silanskis, Illinois
You know who would know the answer to that question is The Art and Creative Materials Institute. They are the leading authority on the safety of art and creative materials. They have evaluated and certified over 60,000 art and creative material formulations for children and adults (since 1940!) and have an online database of those they have found to be nontoxic. You may have seen their seal on many products. Their website also explains toxicity issues connected with art supplies.
Natural Play Dough
I am working on a project for a museum and wish to use home made play dough. I need to know if this mixture is insect proof; someone told me the high level of salt would repell insects. The recipe I have for the play dough is: 4 cups flour, 2 cups water and 2 cups salt. If the salt does not repell insects should I use a varnish or lacquer on the finished project?
Common sense tells me this should be insect proof, but I don't have experience with this. Readers?
