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Cadmium-Barium Orange

PO20:1

Alternate Names

Cadmium-Barium Orange Deep

Cadmium-Barium Orange Light

Pigment Description

Cadmium-Barium Orange, a version of cadmium orange that is less expensive to make. When a paint is marked PO20:1 (as opposed to just PO20) the PO20:1 version may contain significantly higher amounts of barium sulfate.

The same health warnings apply as Cadmium Orange (see PO20).

Copied from PO20: Debate has raged around the toxicity of cadmiums, and they are listed as pigments with toxicity, so be extremely cautious with them. Lately we have seen a lot of resources suggesting the modern cadmium pigments are engineered to be far less toxic. Here's a source, another source and another source. However, we always err on the side of caution with pigments (there is no downside to being super careful) and so we always handle these with respect. Also beware with older cadmiums for many reasons as they may also contain toxic adulterants like lead. We have read not to breathe them (this means not using them for airbrush). However, we are not experts in health and safety so please consult the relevant authorities on their proper handling and disposal. According to the work of Monona Rossol, cadmium is a carcinogen and causes kidney damage. The Artist's Guide to Health and Safety has more information about the hazards of pigments containing Cadmium as well as Selenium and Barium. They should not be sprayed and the dust should be stringently avoided (remember in regard to avoiding sanding). It should go without saying, but absolutely do not ingest any pigment.

PO20:1 is a cheaper way of making cadmium orange which has less strength.

Resources

PO20:1 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com

Information about PO20 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors, General information about this class of pigments from Handprint,

International Cadmium Association (n.d. Accessed June 2025). Cadmium Pigments https://cadmium.ionainteractive.com/applications/pigments/. International Cadmium Association,

Rossol, Monona. The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide. New York, NY : Allworth Press, 2001. The book is rather dated, updated information is available from her website.

Stats

Lightfastness

Excellent

Considered ASTM I, excellent. However cadmiums are not recommended for environments with moisture. Lightfastness tends to be excellent, thought the PO20:1 variety was not directly mentioned in Golden’s recent lightfastness testing.

Transparency

Opaque

Toxicity

Hazard, Use more caution

Out of caution, treat as though hazardous. Some cadmium yellows and reds (which can be mixed into oranges at times) contained toxic pigments as adulterants. While thought to be less bioavailable as a pigment, cadmium is a carcinogen which also causes kidney damage, and it poses serious hazards when breathed In the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety Monona Rossol writes about the hazards of pigments containing Cadmium as well as Selenium. See also her most recent work available by request here. We are not health and safety experts, and we are not toxicologists, so please consult the MSDS and relevant experts. For alternative perspectives on the seriousness, consult further third party discussion of cadmiums, however we err on the side of caution in terms of handling. As with all pigments, do your own research and handle all paints with proper studio safety protocols.

Dry Time

Very Slow

Oil Content

Sources Vary, Moderate

Sources varied somewhat on oil absorption. Mayer assigned the barium version high oil volume, with a score of 97. By weight, Artiscreation lists a range of approximately 17-20g/100g of oil, but your pigment may have different requirements.

Chemical Name

Cadmium Selenosulphide co-precipitated with Barium Sulfide (sometimes written cadmium sulfoselenide co-precipitated with Barium sulfate)

Dry Pigments listing PO20:1

DISCLAIMER: Please note that we are not experts in health and safety and we are not toxicologists, please consult the proper experts. We are not liable for any issues that may arise from the use of our website or its contents. The information contained in this site is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. We do not necessarily endorse any other website that are linked from our site. For any important pigment specs, please reference the manufacturer details. If you discover errors or omissions, please reach out through our contact form. Thank you.

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