Information on Pigments used in Paints

Each pigment that Colors of Nature uses has been carefully researched for its safety and ecological impact. Here is a summary of the information available. Sources include manufacturers’ descriptions and MSDS data:

Pigment Type	Source	Processing	Ecological Information
Ochres	- Clay earth pigment - Iron oxide from geothite	Washed by water and dried by the sun	- Non-toxic - Not listed as a carcinogen by the NTP, IARC, or OSHA; no adverse long-term effects are known “There is no evidence to suggest that this substance will create any significant ecological properties if released into the environment. Inorganic pigments are insoluble and should not exhibit any bioaccumulation or biodegradation properties.” (MSDS)
Umbers	- Clay earth pigment - Iron oxide from geothite	Raw or burnt (heat applied)	Not listed as a carcinogen by the NTP, IARC, or OSHA; no adverse long-term effects are known. “Inorganic pigments are insoluble and should not exhibit any bioaccumulation or biodegradation properties”. (MSDS)
Oxides	- Naturally occurring iron oxides from hematite or magnetite	Heat applied	Not listed as a carcinogen by the NTP, IARC, or OSHA; no adverse long-term effects are known “Inorganic pigments are insoluble and should not exhibit any bioaccumulation or biodegradation properties.” (MSDS)
Siennas	- Clay earth pigment - Iron oxide from goethite or hematite	Raw or burnt (heat applied)	Not listed as a carcinogen by the NTP, IARC, or OSHA; no adverse long-term effects are known “Inorganic pigments are insoluble and should not exhibit any bioaccumulation or biodegradation properties”. (MSDS)
Chromium Oxide	- Chromite ore - Chromium oxide	Two chemical steps: roasting (ore is treated with hot air) and leaching (converts metal to a soluble salt in a water medium)	FDA approved. Not classified as a hazardous material (MSDS)
Ultramarine	- Pigment Blue 29:77007 - Sulfurized silicilic acid, aluminium sodium salt from zeolite, lazurite	Manufactured from clay (contains silica, alumina), sodium sulfate, sulfur and charcoal. Heat applied, then washed	Food and cosmetic grade No evidence of carcinogenic effects according to ACGIH or IARC (MSDS)
Titanium dioxide	- Ilmenite ore - Titanium dioxide	Iron oxide is removed to leave synthetic rutile, which is reduced with carbon and oxidized with chlorine. Compound is re-oxidized with oxygen to regenerate the chlorine	Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic grade Environmental Effects: No known significant effects or critical hazards (MSDS) For more information please visitThe Organic Make-up Company
Vehicles for pigment	Plant: gums, oils, waxes; simple sugar alcohol, water, natural preservative	Variety of methods	Food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades Biodegradable No evidence of carcinogenic effects according to ACGIH or IARC (MSDS)