Technical Tools of the Trade: I became a painter because I loved the art of it. I enjoyed the problem solving of taking a rendering and figuring out how to recreate and enhance it for the stage. Lo and behold, the more I painted, the more I realized I really should have minored in chemistry as well. To be a responsible painter it is important to familiarize yourself with the chemicals you are using; which ingredients are harmful, how they are harmful, how they react to other chemicals.
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The good thing about this article is that it covers three topics: the importance of being aware of safe shop practices; the usage of chemistry in life in general and the effects that paints can have on reproductive capabilities and outcomes.
The first part of the article stresses on the importance of being aware of safety standards in working shops. One is supposed to work with dangerous materials and it is the responsibility of the worker to be aware of what safety measures he/she need to take to bypass the harmful effects of the materials they are working with.
The second part, although short, focuses that people in general should have some knowledge of chemistry so that when big terms and their technicalities are thrown at the people they are not shook; rather they are able to absorb and filter all the information that they need.
The last and most important part discusses how these materials are dangerous for pregnant people, since the fumes of these materials are harmful for the unborn baby and can cause birth defects, which is not desirable. Hence, it is very important that pregnant people are aware of their applicable safety measures.
I think it’s really important to have a basic understanding of the chemicals in the products that we’re using, not just for the sake of reproductive health, but for health in general, since the carcinogens affect everyone using them, not just expecting mothers. The article itself does a pretty good job going over some of the basics behind why you should care about what’s in the paints, sealants, primers, etc. that you’re using, and the cause of why they can be problematic. Sara Herman also talks about how materials act differently when in different states of matter, such as how one is harmful as a dust, but not when it’s bound in liquid. It also covers ways to stay safer when using them such as wearing a respirator while painting, or putting on other protective gear to keep them from touching your skin. I think that everyone should be taught about the varying dangerous chemicals and how they react to one another so that potentially everyone can be that much more safe.
In line with the work that we do, safety and theater should go hand in hand but unfortunately that is not the case. Safety is put on the back burner as long as the creation of the show is complete and done well. I am really appreciative of this article educating us about the importance of knowing the chemicals that we work with to produce theatrical work. I don't think that it is a must that all painters or scenic people minor in chemistry but I think that an introductory list (at the least) should be made a required class for students to take. I also think that a list of common chemicals that are present in products commonly used can be printed and posted on the wall in the scene shop (a visible area for everyone to read) and when the use of harmful ingredients cannot be avoided, safety rules should be enforced to protect everyone.
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