Polyvinyl acetate adhesives are often contaminated with the monomer vinyl acetate, which is a suspected carcinogen and mutagen. Copolymers using vinyl acetate are also widely used in paints. The Center for Safety in the Arts (CSA) wants chemical companies to reduce the level of vinyl acetate in their polyvinyl acetate, because current levels of contamination are high. CSA is advising schools against using polyvinyl acetate-based adhesives until further investigation has been carried out. -- AATA