This data sheet will discuss the hazards and precautions of working with paints, pastels, inks, pencils, crayons, and other painting and drawing media. Occupational hazards have been associated with painting since Ramazzini described illnesses in pigment grinders in 1713. Today we hope to make readers more aware of the hazards of working with painting and drawing media and the precautions you can take to work safely. Working safely can involve changes in how you select your art materials, and how you handle them.