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Arts Safety – Lithography Safety

Lithography uses either zinc and aluminum metal plates or stones for printing. It involves use of a variety of chemicals to make the image ink-receptive and non-image areas receptive to water and ink-repellent.

Things to Consider

Plate and Stone Preparation

A variety of drawing materials with high wax and fatty acid content are used to make the image, including tusche and lithographic crayons. Airbrushing liquid drawing materials or using spray enamel or lacquer is also common. Other materials used in stone or plate processing include etch solution containing acids and gum arabic, counter-etch solutions containing acids and sometimes dichromate salts, and fountain solutions containing dichromate salts. Phenol (carbolic acid) has been used for removing grease from stones, and a variety of solvents including lithotine, gasoline, kerosene, and mineral spirits, which are used for diluting drawing materials, washing out images and correction of images. Talc and rosin mixtures are also used. Metal plates are prepared with solvent-based vinyl lacquers.

Hazards
  1. Acids used include phosphoric, nitric, acetic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric and tannic acids. The concentrated acids are corrosive, and even dilute acid solutions can cause skin irritation from prolonged or repeated contact. Hydrofluoric acid and phenol are the most dangerous to use.
  2. Lithotine, kerosene, and mineral spirits are skin and eye irritants and inhalation can cause intoxication and respiratory irritation.
  3. The solvents contained in vinyl lacquers may contain isophorone and cyclohexanone, which is considered toxic. Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), which is moderately toxic, is often used as a thinner.
  4. Dichromate salts may cause skin and nasal ulceration and allergic reactions, and are suspected cancer-causing agents.
  5. Rosin dust may cause asthma and allergic dermatitis. There is the hazard of explosion from the buildup of rosin dust, in enclosed rosin boxes when stored around an ignition source.
  6. Talcs may be contaminated with asbestos and silica.
  7. Airbrushing drawing materials or using spray enamel paints is more hazardous than drawing with a brush because there is a potential inhalation exposure.
Precautions
  1. Obtain the SDS for all materials used.
  2. See Acids and Solvents sections for the precautions with acids and solvents.
  3. Use the least toxic solvents. Gasoline should never be used. Lithotine and mineral spirits are less toxic than the more irritating kerosene.
  4. Use asbestos-free talcs such as baby powders.
  5. Avoid dichromate-containing counter etches and fountain solutions if possible. Do not use hydrofluoric acid or phenol.
  6. Appropriate gloves, goggles and a protective apron should be worn when mixing or using concentrated acids.

 

Printing and Cleanup

For all types of lithographic inks, solvents are used to make image corrections on the press, to remove images, and to clean the press bed and rollers.

Hazards
  1. Some roller cleaners and glaze cleaners can contain chlorinated hydrocarbons such as perchloroethylene and methylene chloride. Most chlorinated solvents (except 1,1,1-trichloroethane) have been shown to cause cancer in animals and are therefore suspect human carcinogens. Less toxic alternative should be utilized.
  2. Methylene Chloride use has been severely restricted by the EPA and should not be used.
Precautions
  1. Know materials used. Obtain the SDS for all solvents. See Solvents section for the precautions with solvents.
  2. Choose products that do not contain chlorinated solvents whenever possible.
  3. For small-scale solvent use in correcting images or cleaning the press bed using lithotine or mineral spirits, local exhaust ventilation is sufficient.

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