Part 2: The Pediatric Hazards of Art Materials.

Children can encounter art materials that contain hazardous substances at school, in the home, and during outside activities. Hazardous substances can be found in both art materials that are made to be used by children and art materials used by adults. Some of these materials can be severe irritants, allergens, carcinogens, or other chronic disease hazards. Many of the most frequently used and potentially most hazardous materials are found in the categories of solvents, pigments, and adhesives. Selected members of these categories and where they may be found in common art materials are briefly discussed. Preventive techniques that specifically address the potential hazards of each category are included. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(6):e219-e230.].

Part 1: The Pediatric Hazards of Art Materials.

Hazardous substances can be found in art materials that children encounter at school, at home, and in other settings, and adult behaviors can contribute to children's risks from these hazardous art materials. Some art materials contain severe irritants, allergens, chronic health hazards, and carcinogens. Most of the hazardous substances found in art materials are known from adult exposures in occupational or environmental settings, and few have been specifically studied in children. For many of these hazards, only limited treatments are available, so prevention is imperative. Despite laws focusing on art material labeling and designation as safe for children, there are some concerns about the accuracy of these labels. Children are at special risks from hazardous material exposures because of their developing physiologies and intellects. A wide range of art activities are taught in schools and some can include hazardous materials. Art activities and precautions that are appropriate for children in 6th grade and below and others for 7th grade and older are outlined. Excellent resources are available for further information on hazardous art materials, prevention recommendations, and health and safety programs for schools. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(6):e213-e218.].

Occupational Health and the Arts.

OBJECTIVE: Work in the visual arts, performing arts, and writing can involve exposures to occupational hazards, including hazardous materials, equipment, and conditions, but few art workplaces have strong occupational health resources. Literature searches were conducted for articles that illustrate these concerns. METHODS: Medical databases were searched for art-related health articles. Other sources were also reviewed, including, unindexed art-health publications, and popular press articles. RESULTS: Information was located that described some exposed populations, art-related hazards, and resulting disorders. Anecdotal reports were used when more complete data were not available. CONCLUSIONS: Health hazards in the arts are significant. Occupational health professionals are familiar with most of these concerns and understand their treatment and prevention. The occupational health approach can reduce the health hazards encountered by at-risk art workers. Additional research would benefit these efforts. Resources for further information are available.

Occupational Health and the Visual Arts: An Introduction.

OBJECTIVE: Occupational hazards in the visual arts often involve hazardous materials, though hazardous equipment and hazardous work conditions can also be found. Occupational health professionals are familiar with most of these hazards and are particularly qualified to contribute clinical and preventive expertise to these issues. METHODS: Articles illustrating visual arts health issues were sought and reviewed. Literature sources included medical databases, unindexed art-health publications, and popular press articles. RESULTS: Few medical articles examine health issues in the visuals arts directly, but exposures to pigments, solvents, and other hazards found in the visual arts are well described. The hierarchy of controls is an appropriate model for controlling hazards and promoting safer visual art workplaces. CONCLUSIONS: The health and safety of those working in the visual arts can benefit from the occupational health approach. Sources of further information are available.

Occupational Health and the Performing Arts: An Introduction.

OBJECTIVE: Workplace hazards in the performing arts cause injuries, disabilities, and deaths every year. Occupational health professionals are familiar with most of these hazards and are particularly qualified to contribute to efforts to reduce them. This article reviews current health issues in the performing arts and highlights opportunities for occupational health contributions. METHODS: Recognized experts in performing arts medicine were consulted and articles illustrating performing arts health issues were reviewed. Literature sources included medical databases, unindexed art-health publications, and popular press articles. RESULTS: Resources discussing hazards and health issues in theater, dance, voice, and instrumental musicians were located and reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment providers have a history of involvement with segments of the performing arts. The occupational health approach to workplace health issues can effectively complement these efforts. Sources of further information on performing arts health concerns are available.

Playing-Related Problems among Musicians of the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® and Supporting Bands.

BACKGROUND: The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® is a world-renowned group of Cuban musicians accomplished in a variety of musical styles. The musicians of the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and supporting musicians of their orchestras represent a cohort of musicians throughout Cuba who continue to play traditional genres and perform into their older ages. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to (1) identify musculoskeletal conditions that occurred over the previous 12 months among the members of the Orquesta and supporting musicians and (2) to discover if these conditions, in part, were caused by or in some way affected musical performance. METHODS: The study was a convenience sample of musicians within the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club and supporting musical groups. Thirty-six musicians completed a self-administered survey. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent (24/36) of the total sample of musicians and 89% (16/18) of those over age 60 years had at least one musculoskeletal condition over the previous 12 months. Forty-four percent (16/36) of the total sample of musicians and 61% (11/18) of those older than 60 years of age reported that a musculoskeletal complaint was either, in part, caused by or affected their performance. CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal conditions were prevalent among the Cuban musicians, especially in those over 60 years of age. Collaboration of medical professionals, managers, and musicians may help to generate ideas on how to prevent injuries as well as to evaluate what treatments for playing-related conditions, including both conventional and complementary and alternative therapies, are most effective.

Assessment of arsenic surface contamination in a museum anthropology department.

OBJECTIVE: To assess potential arsenic (As) contamination of work surfaces to improve upon the control strategy at an anthropology department in a large natural history museum. METHODS: Work practices were observed and control strategy reviewed to inform an occupational hygiene assessment strategy utilizing surface wipe sampling. A total of 35 sampling targets were identified, focusing on surfaces that receive high touch traffic, including workstations, artifact transport carts, and elevator buttons. Arsenic sampling and analysis were performed using reference method Occupational Safety and Health Administration ID-125G. RESULTS: Four of the sampling areas returned detectable levels of As, ranging from 0.052 to 0.350 µg/100 cm. CONCLUSION: Workplace observations and wipe sampling data enabled the development of recommendations to help to further reduce potential occupational exposure to As. Continuous reduction of surface contamination is prudent for known human carcinogens.

Prevalence of upper extremity symptoms and disorders among dental and dental hygiene students.

CONTEXT: Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are common among dental professionals. The natural history of these disorders is not well-understood. These disorders are more common in older workers, but the prevalence among younger workers has not been well-studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if dental/dental hygiene students had a similar prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders compared to age-matched clerical workers. We hypothesize students will have a lower prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders compared to clerical workers. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional design. SETTING: Dental and dental hygiene students from three schools were compared to clerical workers from three locations (an insurance company and two data processing plants). SUBJECTS: There were 343 dental and dental hygiene students and 164 age-matched clerical workers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Regional discomfort was the primary outcome. The secondary health outcomes were diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome and upper extremity tendinitis. RESULTS: Clerical workers had a higher prevalence of hand symptoms (62 percent vs. 20 percent), elbow symptoms (34 percent vs. 6 percent) and shoulder/neck symptoms (48 percent vs. 16 percent) and a higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (2.5 percent vs. .6 percent) and upper extremity tendinitis (12 percent vs. 5 percent). The clerical workers were more obese, smoked more, exercised less frequently, and had lower educational levels and less control of their work environment. CONCLUSIONS: Dental and dental hygiene students have a very low prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. A longitudinal study is necessary to evaluate ergonomic and personal risk factors.