Leo Martínez
Toxicity in paint is often associated with heavy metals such as copper, cobalt, cadmium, and lead. Many toxic pigments were used until the 19th century, and some are still in use today. One of the most toxic paints is Scheele's Green, a bright, beautiful pigment that was widely used in paint, wallpaper, textiles, soap, toys, and even food. Unfortunately, it contained cupric hydrogen arsenic, which led to many deaths. Another highly toxic paint is Vermilion, a brilliant red or scarlet pigment made from powdered cinnabar, a form of mercury sulfide. It has been used extensively since 7000 BC by the Romans for frescoes, statues, and cosmetics. Lead white is another highly toxic pigment that was used for centuries due to its warm and subtle undertones, despite its toxicity. Uranium-based pigments, such as Uranium Yellow, were also widely used until the 1970s and were known for their vibrant red and orange hues. These paints and others like them have left a colourful but deadly mark on history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toxic paint with historical usage | Lead White, also called Flake White |
| Vermilion | |
| Naples Yellow | |
| Scheele's Green, also known as Toxic Green or Paris Green | |
| Uranium Yellow | |
| Uranium Orange | |
| Cadmium Red | |
| School Bus Yellow | |
| Less common toxic paints | Chrome Yellow (Lead Chromate) |
| Uranium-based glazes | |
| Orpiment | |
| Realgar | |
| Cadmium Yellow | |
| Chromium Yellow | |
| White Spirit |
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What You'll Learn
- The dangers of Scheele's Green, also known as Paris Green, Schloss Green, and Toxic Green
- Cadmium Red: a dangerous paint still marketed by some companies
- Uranium Yellow: a radioactive paint used on pottery until the 1970s
- Vermilion: a toxic red pigment used since 7000 BC
- Lead White: a toxic white pigment used until the 1970s
The dangers of Scheele's Green, also known as Paris Green, Schloss Green, and Toxic Green
Scheele's Green, also known as Paris Green, Schloss Green, and Toxic Green, is one of the most toxic paints ever created. Invented in 1775 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, it is a yellowish-green pigment made from sodium carbonate and arsenious oxide. This paint is so toxic that it is believed to have contributed to the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, as it was used as a dye in the wallpaper of his home. As the paper moulded, it released arsenic into the air, which is highly poisonous.
During the 19th century, Scheele's Green was commonly used in paints and dyes for a variety of products, including wallpaper, textiles, clothing, bookbindings, wax candles, and even children's toys. Its brilliant colour and durability made it a popular replacement for the older copper carbonate pigments. However, by the end of the 19th century, concerns about its toxicity began to emerge, and it gradually fell out of use as a pigment. Unfortunately, it continued to be used as an insecticide into the 1930s, endangering the health of factory workers and farmers who used it to protect crops.
In paintings, Scheele's Green produces a rich, dark green with an undertone of blue. It was widely used by 19th-century artists, including Claude Monet and Paul Gauguin, who found its unique colour difficult to replicate with natural materials. Despite its toxicity, some artists continued to use it for its aesthetic qualities, and modern reproductions of non-toxic pigments have been created to match its distinctive colour.
The dangers of Scheele's Green were not limited to its use as a paint or dye. During the war effort in the early 20th century, young women tasked with painting detailed camouflage on military vehicles often rolled their brushes between their lips, unknowingly exposing themselves to dangerous levels of radiation from the paint. This paint was also used to dye clothing, and antique garments dating from 1775 to 1920 may still contain traces of arsenic. While not all green garments from this period are toxic, it is advisable to handle them with care and test them for arsenic if there is any doubt.
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Cadmium Red: a dangerous paint still marketed by some companies
For centuries, artists have relied on natural elements to create pigments, and many of these pigments were made by grinding toxic metals. Some of the most famous pigments in history are also some of the most toxic. For example, lead white, which was used by European painters well beyond the Classical period, is highly toxic. Lead white, or flake white, was used as a cosmetic and paint pigment for its brightness and ability to carry colour. It is now acknowledged to be potentially lethal, and paint made from lead has been banned in most places. However, it is still available for artists to purchase and is still in use.
Another toxic pigment is vermilion, which was used extensively by the Romans for painting frescoes, decorating statues, and in cosmetics. It is made from powdered cinnabar, a form of mercury sulphide, and is now rarely sold due to its toxicity. However, some companies, such as Michael Harding, still produce vermilion paint, with cautionary warnings about its potential health effects.
One of the most well-known toxic pigments is Scheele's Green, a bright, beautiful pigment that was widely used in the 19th century for paint, wallpaper, textiles, soap, toys, and even food. It was an arsenic compound and caused the deaths of many people, including possibly Napoleon Bonaparte, who was exposed to it through the wallpaper in his home.
Another dangerous paint that is still available on the market is cadmium red. Cadmium was discovered by a German chemist in 1817 and quickly became prized for its ability to brighten colours and make jewel tones more saturated and vivid. It is considered the best red hue available. However, it is toxic, and artists are furious that it is still being sold.
In addition to these toxic pigments, other dangerous paints include School Bus Yellow, which contained chromium, and Uranium Yellow, which was used to glaze pottery and was highly radioactive. Lead antimonate yellow, or Naples yellow, is another toxic pigment that was used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and later in European art. Chrome yellow, which was used by Van Gogh, is also toxic, and the artist may have suffered from lead poisoning as a result of his habit of licking his brushes.
Today, artists have many alternative options for pigments that are non-toxic, such as titanium dioxide whites and zinc. However, some artists still insist on using toxic pigments, taking the necessary precautions to avoid poisoning themselves.
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Uranium Yellow: a radioactive paint used on pottery until the 1970s
Uranium Yellow is a highly toxic paint that was used for centuries. As its name suggests, Uranium Yellow contains uranium, a radioactive heavy metal. Pieces of pottery dating back to the birth of Christ have been found painted with uranium-based glazes, and it was still used to dye pottery until the 1970s.
Uranium was also used in glassmaking, creating a yellow or green tint. Under ultraviolet light, the glass glows bright green. This type of glass was nicknamed "Vaseline glass" or "canary glass". Uranium was also used in coloured glazes to create vibrant red and orange ceramics. During the First and Second World Wars, Uranium Yellow was used for detailed painting on military vehicles. The young women painting them often rolled their brushes between their lips, unknowingly exposing themselves to dangerous levels of radiation.
Uranium Yellow is not the only toxic paint that has been used throughout history. Lead, for example, was used to create a white pigment from the 4th century BC until the 19th century. Lead is highly toxic and can cause lead poisoning, which can lead to neurological issues and even blindness. Despite its toxicity, some artists still use lead paint today. Other toxic pigments include Scheele's Green, an arsenic compound used in the early 1800s, and Vermilion, a mercury-based pigment used extensively by the Romans.
The use of these toxic pigments was often due to a lack of knowledge about the health effects of radiation and other toxic substances. Many of these pigments have since been discontinued or banned due to their harmful effects. Today, we have a better understanding of the dangers posed by these substances, and safety standards have improved. However, as evidenced by the continued use of lead paint by some artists, there is still a risk of exposure to toxic pigments.
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Vermilion: a toxic red pigment used since 7000 BC
Vermilion, a brilliant red or scarlet pigment, has been used since as early as 7000 BC. It was traditionally made from powdered cinnabar, a form of mercury sulfide. The first documented use of the pigment was found at the Neolithic village of Çatalhöyük in modern-day Turkey, dating back to around 7000-8000 BC. The ancient Romans used vermilion extensively, prizing it for its rarity and value. They used it to paint frescoes, decorate statues, and even in cosmetics.
In China, vermilion played a significant role in the country's culture. It was used in creating lacquerware, which was exported worldwide, leading to the term "Chinese red". The sap or resin used in the lacquer was toxic, and when coloured with powdered cinnabar, it produced an orange-red shade. The ancient Chinese also used vermilion to paint ceramics and cover the walls and floors of rooms, as well as for ritual purposes.
Vermilion was highly valued for its opacity and vibrant colour, making it a popular choice for artists. European painters and manuscript illuminators widely adopted it from the 9th century onwards. Despite its expense and toxicity, it was the primary orange-red pigment in the artist's palette, often used to model flesh tones and drapery. Impressionist painters such as Van Gogh and Degas also favoured vermilion for its boldness.
However, due to its high cost and toxicity, vermilion gradually fell out of favour. In 1892, a new red pigment, cadmium red, was patented and became a popular replacement for vermilion. Cadmium red was more affordable, chemically stable, and less toxic. By the 20th century, vermilion was mostly replaced by synthetic pigments, though genuine vermilion paints are still manufactured today by select companies.
The dangers of vermilion's toxicity were well-known, especially to those who mined cinnabar. Inhalation of the powdered form of cinnabar led to mercury poisoning and death for many miners. However, there is limited data on the health risks posed by using vermilion paint, and it is unclear if long-term use caused adverse effects in artists.
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Lead White: a toxic white pigment used until the 1970s
Lead white, also known as flake white, is a toxic white pigment that was widely used in painting and other decorative arts until the 1970s. Lead white is created by grinding lead into a bright white powder, a practice that dates back to ancient times. The ancient Greeks used lead white as a pigment, and it was also commonly used by European painters well beyond the Classical period. In fact, until the 19th century, it was the only white pigment used in European easel painting.
The toxicity of lead has been known since at least the 1700s, but this did not deter its use in the arts. Artists favoured lead white for its brightness and unique artistic properties. For example, lead white is a warmer and softer white compared to titanium white, making it more suitable for painting flesh tones. Even today, some artists continue to use lead white despite its known toxicity.
The dangers of lead white were not limited to artists. Lead white was also used in cosmetics, and it is speculated that Napoleon Bonaparte's illness and potential death were caused by arsenic from the lead-based green pigment in the wallpaper of his home.
It was not until the 20th century that non-toxic alternatives to lead white, such as titanium dioxide whites, became widely available. However, lead white continued to be used in paint until it was banned in the 1970s. Today, lead paint is banned in most places as a house paint, although it is still available as an artist's colour with appropriate warnings and packaging restrictions.
The history of lead white serves as a reminder of the often-toxic nature of pigments and the long-term harmful effects they can have on human health.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several toxic paints, including Cadmium Red, School Bus Yellow, Uranium Yellow, Vermilion, Naples Yellow, Lead White, and Scheele's Green.
Cadmium Red, discovered by a German chemist in 1817, quickly became prized as a component in paint due to its ability to brighten colours and make jewel tones more vivid and saturated.
Scheele's Green, also known as Schloss Green and Paris Green, is a cupric hydrogen arsenic compound developed by a Swiss chemist in the early 1800s. It was widely used despite its toxicity, leading to numerous deaths. It was eventually retired as a paint colour and repurposed as an insecticide and rat poison.
Lead white, also known as white lead, is one of the earliest synthetic pigments, with a history dating back at least 2,500 years. It was widely used in European painting until the 19th century, when alternative pigments became available. Despite its toxicity, lead white is still used today with necessary precautions due to its aesthetic advantages over non-toxic alternatives.
