"Let the clean air remove the cobwebs from your body. Air is medicine." - Lillian Russell
Oil paints and varnishes create VOC's (volatile organic compounds). Charcoal and pastels create dust, and pastel dust, especially the cadmiums, are toxic. When all of these organic compounds evaporate or fly into the air, we breathe them into our lungs and they enter our bloodstream. These toxins can seriously effect our health.
The problem today is that most full and part-time working artists spend long hours creating works of art in closed studios. Even if we can open windows, it wouldn't be conducive to do so on hot or cold days, or when the pollen count and ozone levels are high.
According to the EPA, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. For many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
The easiest and healthiest solution for any studio artist, is to use a portable, HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter. I own two Alen air purifiers. I use the Alen BreatheSmart HEPA air purifier (with a silver filter) in my 800 square foot art studio (see below), and the Alen BreatheSmart Fit50 (with a silver filter) in the room I sleep in (in light of my allergies, this unit has been a life-saver). The units are quiet and boy can I tell a difference when I walk into both rooms now. Each room smells like springtime, without the pollen!
Over the years, the fumes from the oil paint and mediums have given me terrible headaches. As a result, I've primarily been painting in acrylics. Now that I'm using my Alen BreatheSmart air purifier in my studio, I'm excited to say that I can paint with my oils again. I no longer experience the horrible side effects from the paint or alkyd gel medium. I've been given a new lease on life and painting! Another added benefit is that I've received tremendous relief from my allergies. I feel like I can truly breathe deeply again for the first time in many years. If you're an artist, working with any chemical compounds, you won't believe the difference an Alen HEPA BreatheSmart unit will make in your life. The transformation will amaze you!
Jill Saur Fine Art Studio (below)
The Alen Corporation offers FREE SHIPPING and a 60-day trial period when you purchase your air purifier directly from them. Best of all, they stand 100% behind their products with a LIFETIME WARRANTY (the only lifetime warranty in the industry). The prices on all their units are the same on Amazon, but Amazon only offers a thirty day trial period. I'm so glad I ordered my units directly from Alen because my sales associate, Melissa, helped me determine what type of unit filter I needed for my art studio. Not only did I need to consider the VOC's in my studio, I also have allergies.
Alen offers five different models to choose from at different price points that cover rooms starting at 500 square feet and go all the way up to 1,100 square feet. I consider Alen to be the best air filtration company and they actually answer the phone! They have the most thorough website in their industry and they have knowledgeable and friendly employees. Give Melissa a call and get started on your road to breathing clean fresh air while working in your studio. You'll be glad you did. Happy and healthy painting! - Jill Saur
The Alen Corporation: https://www.alencorp.com
Alen Corporation Phone Number: 800-630-2396
Melissa (My Sales Associate): (512) 600-1830 (800) 630-2396 ext.7014
