Commission Update - Heath Scare - Cautionary Tale

In making art, I've always taken pains to be safe about the process particularly because I tend to use what is classified as toxic materials...no basic watercolors or acrylics for me. Given that fact, safety precautions are absolutely critical. Usually that entails nitrile gloves, and a respirator with specialized filters. Unfortunately, while working and in the flow I spent time on the painting without wearing the respirator thinking that the completely open side of the building with a fan to keep the fumes flowing outward would provide sufficient airflow and make a mask unnecessary. 

How completely mistaken I was! First I began to get headaches and then came the racing heartbeat (tachycardia) which freaked me out... then came an abnormal EKG.  Now I am generally a healthy person, minus the breast cancer from last year which is now gone, so I became worried. I Googled and realized that it was fumes from the large quantities of alcohol ink that I have been working with. How ridiculous is that! I was actually having signs of IPA, or isopropyl alcohol poisoning. I love painting but certainly don't want to die for it! 

My health update since this started... still have an abnormal EKG but no more headaches or racing heart. Thank God. Am now wearing specialized filtering for my respirator which I put on the second I enter the studio and keep on at all times.

Note to myself and everyone else working with dangerous materials - Wear the SAFETY GEAR at all times! Don't allow yourself to feel a false sense of security. There will never be enough airflow.