Yesterday I bought some SAFE KLEAN NON-TOXIC ARTISTS' TURPENTINE SUBSTITUTE from the local art store. It claims that it makes oil painting as safe as acrylic painting. This was good for me because I am just starting to do oil painting and I needed some solvent for my Verlinden figure, Line Infantry 1812.
I got it home and started using it. I got a terrible headache, was short of breath, saw spots for a moment, felt disorient, felt uncoordinated and my heart rate went up. I had to throw out the solvent, all of my rags, and the blotter paper that I was using for my work table. I also had to wash all of my brushes and pots. Worst part was that a small amount was used in the figure's painting so until the pantsdry, the only part that I painted before I had to give up, I have to stay away from the figure since I get so close to it to paint. I also had to air out the room entirely.
I got into this mess because I live in apartment for the time being and can't ventilate well to begin with, so I have trouble finding an acceptable solvent. In the past I have thinned with linseed oil, and used turps for brush cleaning in a well ventilated area. At this point I am going to just go with linseed oil exclusively and just work harder to clean my brushes because it's been almost 24 hours and I still feel a little off, not much but a little. I hope that there aren't any long term health consequences for short term exposure to high concentrations of turpentine or turpenoid especially since there are probably trace amounts in the air in my apartment right now, coming off the figure's legs.
I later did some looking on the web and found out that this product is no longer made, but watch out for it on sale. It was orange in color and got a milky color when a brush was dipped in it. I suspect that it was odorless turpentine cut with linseed oil, the linseed oil gets rid of the telltale turp consistency. Also, as if all that wasn't enough, I looked at the bottle before I threw it out and the little bit of solvent that had spilled made the lable translucent and I could see that the top label was pasted over another label. Worst 5 bucks I've ever spent, couldn't even return because I didn't want ot get into a car with it. #:-)

Man alive thats not good at all, When i am using solvents i have the windows open and a fan going to keep the air circulating.

i hope u now are ok. All of us have experienced such bad situations with this kind of chemicals, just take care, health is above all

I do too, but the problem was that I thought that it was not a solvent. The container was labeled non-toxic and nowhere on it did it say there was turpentine in it.

All those turps and solvents are one of the reasons why I stay away from oils.

Sorry to interrupt, I have a question about the same topic:

Has anyone used the Windsor&Netwon Artisan water soluble oils? Are they good to paint figures? If so, I'll go with them certainly, I prefier not to use solvents in my home with my two little children moving around.

danmo

Hye judging by the effects that it had on you, it must have some chemicals. You could take it outside and light it to make a mock airstrike!

~Chip :-)

OH IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD!! **sniffs paint** WOAH!!! **falls over as brain cellas die at fantastic rate**

that sucks, its funny when ever I brush using humbrol paints I get a deep painful stomach ache

Most unfortunate set of circumstances to fall your way...Apartment living can be difficult...proper ventilation is a must w/turp and other solvents...why not try acrylics?...water based and non-toxic clean-up.

kglack

I think that I am going to go with linseed oil exclusively, it is non-toxic.

Rule of the thumb: If it smells too strong:

1. Open windows, turn on your electric fan
2. Wear a respirator/mask
3. Take a break every now and then and get some fresh air

I've used turpentine, paint thinner and mineral spirits for years...never bothered me . I don't have ventilation, but it does smell up the house a bit. Oh, and when I say years try over 25. It might be that I've always done it in a fair sized room and the room door is open to the house