In a world that expects everything on demand, many companies do not take the time to develop/manufacture non-toxic dyes and pigments. The importance of recognizing this, is to be able to undo our usual practices, and realize the duties we have as artists to improve ourselves through our actions. How can an artist claim to push boundaries, when they, themselves, have not escaped the mindset of the 21st century?
After conducting my research, the answers to the importance of natural dyes is clear. We can find the harmful impacts of synthetic dyes and pigments is many forms of art utensils. We find them in markers, watercolors, pens, acrylics paints, spray paint, etc. Not only are the dyes dangerous, but the bodies in which these inks are concealed are often made of plastics. I was very surprised to find that even the felt tip that markers have are made of polyester. Polyester, a man-made fabric, is an extremely harmful product due to its chemical components. These toxic dyes are impacts waterways that are used by people as drinking and bathing water, leaving negative health impacts of these people. It is no coincidence that the people most directly effected, are poor and lower income families. These dyes are also killing the aquatic life within rivers and streams, and are affecting soil that might be used to grow food. One source reported that 40,000-50,000 tons of dyes are dumped into water systems by the global textile industry. The importance of reverting to more natural pigments is crucial because it is effecting our ecosystems health excessively.