I love painting in oils but the fumes really bother me. What are my options?
Most artists who complain of trouble with fumes from oil paint are bothered by gum spirits of turpentine. Turpentine is known to produce allergic sensitivity and respiratory irritation, which can worsen over time; also, turpentine exposure can evntually produce sensitivity to other materials. The best alternative is odorless mineral spirits (Item No: 14114) (OMS), which has been refined to remove volatile odor-producing components. OMS does not cause allergic sensitivity; in addition, its lower rate of evaporation and higher flash point make OMS a safer choice in the home studio as well. Mineral spirits does not work as well as turpentine for making some resin varnishes, however, nor does it accelerate the drying rate of oils like turps. Oil of spike lavender and rosemary distillates have been used interchangeably with turpentine as thinners and to make spirit varnishes. According to materials safety documentation, there is very little data to suggest turpentine hazards are associated
