As the field of Lampworking has grown over the last several years the nature of the lampworker has also changed. Lampworking was a trade or craft handed down within families (and woe to the family member who let out a trade secret). As the field exploded during the 1990s the “secrets” became public domain on the internet and through a host of books and videos. Lampworking spread like wildfire and soon was being practiced by pipemakers, beadmakers and makers of all kinds of products. Due in large part to the access to new materials, tools and training, lampworking has evolved into a niche not only in the world of trade but in the world of hobby and craft.

In the past OSHA laws and rules have governed labeling requirements and hazardous communications within the field of lampworking. Today a portion of lampworking falls under the laws of the Federal Trade Commission, specifically the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) because materials that are manufactured are sold as “art materials” to hobbyists rather than to businesses making end products for sale. Therefore U.S. Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act (LHAMA) comes into play.

Glass Alchemy, Ltd., recognizing this change in the industry, started the process of toxicological review in February, 2004. Eighteen months later GA was notified that our products received the AP certification for frits, powders and rods.

Products bearing the AP Approved Product Seal of ACMI are certified in a program of toxicological evaluation by a medical expert to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems. This program is reviewed by ACMI’s Toxicological Advisory Board. These products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236 and Federal law, P.L. 100-695. In addition, there is no physical hazard as defined within 29 CFR Part 1910.1200 (c).

In 2006 we began to put in place the labeling procedures for our products and for our distribution points.

What does the U. S. law on labeling mean to you?

Under LHAMA, all art materials sold in the U.S. must be evaluated by a qualified toxicologist and labeled, if necessary, for chronic toxicity according to the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236. LHAMA went into effect November 18, 1990. This law requires manufacturers of arts and crafts materials to evaluate their products for their ability to cause chronic illness (such as cancer) and to label those products to provide health and cautionary information and safe use instructions to artists and hobbyists. You may have noticed that Glass Alchemy, Ltd. frit jars and sample sets were labeled with the cautionary warning, “Do Not Inhale.” More recently you may have noticed a subtle difference when we changed the label to warn users, “Do Not Inhale or Ingest.”

As a manufacturer we have taken the responsible steps to have our products evaluated by a qualified toxicologist and labeled according to ASTM D 4236. ASTM D 4236 contains the toxicological criteria under which art and creative materials are analyzed.

Under LHAMA if a distributor or retailer sells a product that is not labeled in accordance with the law, the product is considered a misbranded hazardous substance and, technically, could be seized. For more information you can go to www.acminet.org.