No Cadmium Pigment in MISSION Watercolors
Until 2009, cadmium is one of the heavy metals that was so popular that about 10% of the world's production was used for pigments.
Cadmium, which is excellent in heat resistance, resistant to acids and bases and easy to process due to its good spreading properties (malleability), is one of the main components used to create bright and intense pigments in Red (Cadmium Selenide), Yellow (Cadmium Sulfide) hues. However, cadmium is a toxic heavy metal and classified as a Class 1 carcinogen. Once cadmium is accumulated in the liver and kidneys, it is rarely released causing a pollution-related disease, known as Itai-Itai disease. Cadmium can enter the painter's body by penetrating the skin or if the painter inhales them. And as a result of artists rinsing their brushes in the sink, cadmium, heavy metal, is spreading over agricultural land via sewage sludge.
No MISSION products contain cadmium pigments.
The colors of MISSION Gold, Permanent Red Deep (PR254), Permanent Yellow Light (PY154), and Red Orange (PO73) can be used instead of those made from cadmium pigments.
These three-color pigments have much better Chroma, and clarity than cadmium pigments and harmless to human body and have excellent lightfastness.
However, the price is higher than cadmium pigment, which is a disadvantage for the manufacturer.