craftyncer
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 For the Kids- Please Be Careful... - 2007/05/18 20:27 Unfortunately too many people think Kool-aid, oh it is safe for kids even. Unfortunately that is not that case.

I did not see a mention to use a mask or gloves when working with the Kool-aid dyes. Kool-aid is a low acid dye - meaning it can be just as harmful as the acid dyes that you would use. I am sure you would strongly recommend gloves and masks for acid dyeing, so please do so when talking about Kool-aid dyeing. From my understanding it is the powder that is dangerous and especially when you breath it in. You also must remember that you are strengthening the solution by not adding as much water as you would when you drink it.

I never realized this until I took the Master Spinners class Level I.

Cathy
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allena
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 Re:For the Kids- Please Be Careful... - 2007/05/20 02:59 Cathy,
Thank you for your concern. I did some research on your comment, and I could not find any documentation to back your claim that kool aid is just as dangerous as chemical based acid dyes. I could find no documentation that inhalation was a concern ot anything about skin absorbtion.

Even so, I wanted to point out, that I did not allow the children to mix the koolaid dyes, only those using food color drops and Wiltons dye, but I did not make that clear. I have made changes to the article in that regard.

I think what you were told is geared towards people who would be using this frequently or repeatedly, not to people that might occasionally do this activity.

I would be very interested if you had any links about this, so we can all be informed. I would definatly post thos links on the article, so parents can act accordingly, but I am hesitant to make these claims when I have no basis to prove them.

Common sense says that you be somewhat careful, even with Kool Aid, but I don't agree that masks and gloves are needed for this activity as an occasional project. It is not a bad idea, but not neccessary in my opinion. Thank you, though for posting your opinion and giving us all a heads up. If you fall off, get back on and try again.
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craftyncer
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 Re:For the Kids- Please Be Careful... - 2007/05/20 04:06 Allena I will check into that for you. I recently took a Master Spinning Class Level I and the instructor was telling us about the dangers of Kool-Aid because it is a chemical dye. She spoke with and learned of the dangers through a Kool-Aid rep.

It is not so much the liquid but the powder that is a danger. I am not sure if you are familiar with the big to-do regarding red dye and some other colors quite a few years back, but why chance not using gloves and getting those dyes on your skin and being absorbed. It is strongly recommended that you wear gloves and masks when you use natural dyes - why would they be any more dangerous than Kool-aid, they are only plants?

However, I will email her to see if she has any literature on the matter or any links and I will post them when I hear from her. Just an FYI though, she travels a lot to teach so it isn't a guarantee that I will reach her right away, but when I do I will get back to you.

I didn't do an intensive search but I did come up with this on a Google search

Code:

 http://diet-studies.com/dyesinfood.html



explaining the dangers and that it is a chemical dye.

The reason you do not see a lot of warnings regarding the use of Kool-aid dyeing is because so many people rationalize that it is safe to drink, hence safe to dye with. Also who is doing the dyeing? You, me, our neighbors - do we understand or know about these dangers? Not necessarily, until later when people start developing issues. I am not an alarmist, but I would rather be safe than sorry, especially when children are involved. I don't think it would hurt to wear a mask or make sure you aren't breathing in the powder, even for occasional use.

Thanks!
Cat
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