Art is a delicate dance between creativity and the materials we use to bring ideas to life. For painters, sculptors, and other artisans, this means working closely with paints and solvents. These materials can release hazardous fumes and dust into the air.
Unfortunately, many overlook the risks associated with exposure to these airborne particles, which can have severe health implications if they aren’t properly managed.
So, with International Artists Day around the corner, we thought we’d take a closer look at the importance of fume extractors for painters and other artists to help keep our most creative minds safe and healthy.
What Are the Risks in Your Studio?
Artisan materials like oil paints, varnishes, adhesives, and solvents contain a range of chemicals that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when used. These VOCs (things like toluene, xylene, and acetone) have been linked to a host of health problems that span all the way from short-term irritation to long-term chronic illnesses.
For example:
Exposure to toluene and xylene can lead to headaches, dizziness, and nausea, while long-term exposure might cause liver and kidney damage. What’s more, chemicals like methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl butyl ketone (MBK) can damage your central nervous system, resulting in cognitive decline or even neurological disorders.
Paint particles themselves can be dangerous.
This is particularly true of those from spray paints, as they often become airborne during use. When inhaled, they can cause respiratory issues like bronchitis, asthma, and other lung diseases. Fine particulate matter from paints and solvents can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, leading to irritation or more severe conditions over time.
It’s not just painters who are at risk.
Sculpting can also pose several big risks. Exposure to harmful dust and fumes like metal, stone, or resin can present severe problems that should not be underestimated. Fine dust particles can lead to respiratory conditions like silicosis, while others might release toxic fumes during the sculpting process.
Other artisans like jewellery makers, stonemasons, carpenters, and those who use CNC routers could also be at risk. Often, in larger workplaces, the threats of airborne particles and fumes are better taken into account. But smaller, independent craftspeople might not have had the time or know-how to consider the risks they’re exposed to.
Why Painters Need a Fume Extractor
For painters, a fume extractor is essential for managing exposure to potentially harmful substances. Whether you’re working with oils, acrylics, or other mediums, these materials can emit hazardous fumes during application and drying. Solvent-based paints, in particular, release a high level of VOCs that require proper ventilation and extraction.
A suitable extraction system should not only handle fumes but also fine dust and particulate matter that can result from sanding, mixing pigments, or spraying paint.
Why Artisans Need an Extractor
Artisans work across diverse mediums, but it doesn’t matter if you’re carving wood, working with metal, or crafting jewellery – making sure you’ve got the right extraction system is crucial.
The fumes released from polishing compounds and adhesives can be dangerous, and the cutting and grinding processes can release dusts that is harmful to the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. A fume and dust extraction system that’s designed to handle a range of airborne hazards is a great way to keep yourself safe.
Choosing the Right Extraction System
Selecting the right system depends largely on the specific materials you work with and the type of art you create. For those involved in painting, whether traditional or spray, options like the VX1 Extraction Unit offer a compact and mobile solution that can capture both solvent fumes and paint particles.
This unit uses a combination of HEPA and carbon filters to remove 99.99% of airborne particles, including VOCs, making your workplace safer without the need for extensive ventilation modifications.
If you’re an artisan working with fine dust or chemical fumes, the BOFA v250 Dual Arm Extraction System or the VODEX VXJ-1 Extraction Unit provide effective solutions. These units come with dual extraction arms and high-efficiency filtration systems, which are ideal for capturing contaminants at multiple workstations or for use in smaller workshops with limited space.
Above: VODEX VXJ-1
How VODEX Can Help to Keep Your Studio Safe
At VODEX Ltd, we understand the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for all. It’s a core part of what started the VODEX story and what motivates us to keep producing industry-leading fume and dust extractors. We’re also experienced in working with artisans, having worked with small craft businesses to bring them bespoke solutions to keep their air clean.
So, whether you need a simple extractor for a small studio or a comprehensive system for a bigger workshop, our range of fume and dust extraction units has got you covered.
Find out more by visiting our shop or by reaching out to our team for a more detailed conversation.
