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Polymer Clay Safety Tips

A Guide to Polymer Clay Toxicity

How to Handle Polymer Clays Safely

I’ve heard some nasty rumors about the dangers of polymer clay. To put my own mind at ease, I did extensive research and am happy to share my findings with you.

Look at your packet of clay for a seal with “AP” (Approved Product) in the center. This indicates that the clay has undergone toxicological evaluation by medical experts at the Arts & Crafts Materials Institute (ACMI) in Boston. Further, a toxicological review board has reviewed the findings of the medical experts.

Only after passing these tests can a material bear the label that it conforms to the standard. In the ACMI’s words, the product has been "certified by an authority on toxicology associated with a leading university to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans, including children, or to cause acute or chronic health problems, even if ingested."

Furthermore, since 1990 it has been mandatory under federal law that any craft materials bear a hazard label if they are not certified as non-toxic. You will find no hazard label on your box of polymer clay.

If you trust Consumer Reports, you will be pleased to know that their Institute found no adverse effects due to polymer clay even in cases where people or pets had eaten it. However, I don’t recommend that!

Polymer Clay Baking Fumes

Many people are concerned about the "fumes" from baking polymer clay. Clay correctly baked produces a slight smell, as do most things you bake in your oven. Fumes (i.e. gaseous emissions) only result when you burn the clay; so take care not to burn your project (duh!).

Polymer clay when burned, releases hydrochloride gas. This gas has no chronic effects, but can irritate the mucous membranes and cause stinging of the eyes, nose, and throat. What to do? Turn off the oven and leave the area until the gas dissipates.

The best thing about polymer clay is that it can be cured in a home oven rather than an expensive kiln. It is safe to use your oven for food even if you’ve just removed your clay pieces.

Just be sure no crumbs or small clay pieces are left behind; because at higher cooking temperatures, the clay crumbs will burn releasing that irritating hydrochloride gas.

Baking Polymer Clay in the Oven you Use for Food

Rings and Things has some pretty common sense advice on their Polymer Clay page.

"If you use polymer clays as a hobby, you can use your regular home oven. Toaster ovens are not recommended, because they don't heat as consistently. If you seriously delve into polymer clays, you will probably want to invest in a second oven for convenience, if not for potential long-term health reasons. All of these polymer clays are non-toxic and well-tested, but it somehow seems foolish to be cooking food in the same oven in which you are daily cooking plastic ... "

Food and Polymer Clay

The one caution my box of Sculpey III carries reads, “Pottery or dishes made from Sculpey III should be used for decorative purposes only, not with food, beverages or smoking materials.”

Polymer Clay Plasticizers

Years ago, dioctyl phthalate was used as a plasticizer. Once it was found to have health risks, it was banned. The phthalates used in polymer clay today are monitored under all of the hazardous materials testing mentioned above.

Remember, if it contained materials toxic to humans, polymer clay would be required by federal law to bear a warning label. Again, polymer clay bears no such warning.

Use the product as directed and you should have no problems.

Here are more Home Cured Modeling Clay Articles.

Tips for Heavy Users of Polymer Clay

If you use polymer clay extensively, you may want to take some of these additonal suggestions from clay artist, Kat Soto.

Use a dedicated convection oven for your polymer clay crafting.

Don't touch your face or touch/consume food with polymer clay on your hands.

Don't use saliva to smooth your work.

Use sculpting tools as much as you can.

Knead quantities of clay with gloved hands.

Use a brush when smoothing sculpted work with diluent, especially if you cut the diluent with rubbing alcohol as a smoothing agent.

You can view some of Kat's work at her absolutely gorgeous website, The Dollsmith.

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