Jeff - Yes, I did. I got copies of the Material Safety Data Sheets for Duro or Kneadatite, Milliput, A+B, Magicsculp, & Apoxie sculpt. They all use variations of the same chemistry to cause a catalytic reaction and harden the putty. All of them can cause skin reactions, dermatitis and, in some persons, respiratory allergic reactions, although those are less common than the skin reactions. Probably most if not all 2-part putties use this chemistry.
If you use gloves when you handle them, good ventilation in your work area, and a respirator when you sand or drill the hardened putty, most people can use them safely. Also clean up your work area. Don't leave dust everywhere.
The problem being reported in this and other recent posts is a sensitization allergy that becomes progressively worse with more exposure. In most people, it can be prevented if you use the precautions. But if you are already sensitized, I would stop using the 2-part putties and find other materials to use for sculpting. The Compleat Sculptor has a large number of materials to choose from. There are probably other web pages that list other sculpting material vendors, but that's the one I know about.
Geoff - Sorry to hear about your reaction. Given the way the putties work, you must have rubbed your eyes inadvertently. Easy to do - I've done it myself! I got a much milder reaction than you did. Yes, you've hit on an important point. Dose or how often are you exposed, for how long and to how much. Not to be boring, but there is a general principle in toxicology that says that everything is potentially hazardous, it is the amount being put in the body that matters. If you limit your exposures, use the precautions above and pay particular attention to keeping the stuff out of your eyes, you may be able to continue to use them with only mild reactions. But look for that reaction to get worse as you get older.
Don't know much about the make-up of lead/tin soldiers. I should think they are mostly tin. There may be small amounts of lead, cadmium, chromium, maybe some nickel. [I'm just shooting from the hip here - I don't have any references.] Avoid breathing metal dusts. Clean up very thoroughly with water and dishwashing liquid the work area where dust is produced. Keep children absolutely out of these work areas! It takes an amazingly small amount of lead to cause serious nervous system problems in developing children.
Sorry for the length of this, folks!
All the best,
Dan
