Is plaster of paris dangerous?
Plaster of paris contains gypsum, which leaches the oils and moisture from your skin. A child’s skin is far more porous than an adult’s, so the use of gloves is very important. Also, plaster in the dry state can cause serious damage to the lungs, and also to the eyes, so masks and goggles are needed. If you want to keep the risk at a minimum, rather than use plaster of paris, use RigidWrap, available at most craft stores. It’s a gauze bandage material, impregnated with plaster….makes a much lighter, stronger shell over your milk carton. Wear gloves, use a bowl of warm water to dunk the strips you cut from it, and DO NOT PUT IT DOWN THE SINK!!! It is a more cost effective solution, and you will probably only need a couple of layers to make the walls of the pueblo. Also, it will take far less time to dry before painting, and will weigh about 1/4 what your pueblo in plaster would weigh.
