Polymer Clay has been "certified by an authority on toxicology associated with a leading university to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to the body, even if ingested." (The authorities here are independent of the organization seeking certification. ( Polymer clay is safe to use, is not toxic (unless burned) and is not
carcinogenic.
Phthalates are present in some, but not all, polymer clays. They make polymer clay pliable until it is cured. When you bake your clay it produces a smell – to some this is pleasant, to others it is not. Burning clay releases fumes which can irritate the mucus membranes and cause stinging of the eyes, nose and throat. Therefore, if you do burn your clay, turn off the oven, and go out of the room until any gases disappear.
Preferably don’t burn your clay!
Many people have small electric ovens (or even better halogen ovens) in which to cure their clay. However, it is quite safe to cure your clay in a domestic oven which is subsequently used for food. As long as your oven is normally cleaned on a regular basis it will not be contaminated. If you have concerns then cover your clay with foil.
If you create a bowl out of polymer clay, the reason you don’t eat food out of it is not that the clay will harm you, but because the clay is porous and germs from the food could collect therein and not easily washed away. For the same reason, do not use kitchen knives, food processors, pasta machines, cutters or other utensils for food as well as polymer clay. This because some of these things may be difficult to clean, and thus you may get the unpleasant taste of the clay in your food.
It is a wise precaution to wash your hands after using polymer clay. Some people find that working with polymer clay causes their hands to feel dry. You can choose to wear light weight
gloves, or use surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol) sparingly because surgical spirit will dry your hands. Be sure to use lots of grease based hand crème after you finish using your clay.
We use a lot of sharp blades, scalpels, carving tools and knives for slicing, cutting and carving clay. These are sharp. Be sensible to be safe:
Mark the ‘right side’ of your blade so you don’t turn it the wrong way;
Do not leave blades where they could damage other people.
Work on tiles or glass – not on wood. Wood can be stained by raw clay.
carcinogenic.
Phthalates are present in some, but not all, polymer clays. They make polymer clay pliable until it is cured. When you bake your clay it produces a smell – to some this is pleasant, to others it is not. Burning clay releases fumes which can irritate the mucus membranes and cause stinging of the eyes, nose and throat. Therefore, if you do burn your clay, turn off the oven, and go out of the room until any gases disappear.
Preferably don’t burn your clay!
Many people have small electric ovens (or even better halogen ovens) in which to cure their clay. However, it is quite safe to cure your clay in a domestic oven which is subsequently used for food. As long as your oven is normally cleaned on a regular basis it will not be contaminated. If you have concerns then cover your clay with foil.
If you create a bowl out of polymer clay, the reason you don’t eat food out of it is not that the clay will harm you, but because the clay is porous and germs from the food could collect therein and not easily washed away. For the same reason, do not use kitchen knives, food processors, pasta machines, cutters or other utensils for food as well as polymer clay. This because some of these things may be difficult to clean, and thus you may get the unpleasant taste of the clay in your food.
It is a wise precaution to wash your hands after using polymer clay. Some people find that working with polymer clay causes their hands to feel dry. You can choose to wear light weight
gloves, or use surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol) sparingly because surgical spirit will dry your hands. Be sure to use lots of grease based hand crème after you finish using your clay.
We use a lot of sharp blades, scalpels, carving tools and knives for slicing, cutting and carving clay. These are sharp. Be sensible to be safe:
Mark the ‘right side’ of your blade so you don’t turn it the wrong way;
Do not leave blades where they could damage other people.
Work on tiles or glass – not on wood. Wood can be stained by raw clay.
You can buy most makes of polymer clay here:
