Strontium Chromate
PY32
Alternate Name
Strontium Yellow
Pigment Description
This yellow is likely extremely toxic. A lively, hard-to-find bright yellow, which is prized by some painters. The quality may vary a lot depending on the pigment and the way the paint is formulated- we have two samples which have fared quite differently. One of the two was a very slow drier. It has a bright yellow character - the paint we have tried in oil is similar in hue to a cadmium yellow lemon. Artiscreation mentions that "may turn greenish due to the partial conversion to chromium oxide."
Strontium Yellow by St. Petersburg in oils
Artiscreation classifies it as a "B" for toxicity, however please always err on the side of great caution- we would also consider this pigment toxic though we are not toxicologists. See the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards of pigments containing Strontium and also pigments containing Chrome. We have read this pigment is extremely toxic.
PY32 in oils by St. Petersburg Masterclass
A vintage jar of Strontium Yellow pigment by Permanent Pigments
Resources
PY32 pigment data from David G. Myers, The Color of Art Pigment Database, Artiscreation.com
Information about PY32 from Bruce MacEvoy, Handprint Guide to Watercolors,
CAMEO Materials Database: Conservation & Art Materials Encyclopedia Online, Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (n.d., accessed June 2025). Strontium Chromate https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Strontium_chromate.
Stats
Lightfastness
Very Good or Excellent
ASTM I is the customary estimation. However the 1980s era NPIRI noted slight color change for both masstone and tints in Florida outdoor lightfastness tests.
Transparency
Transparent, Semi-Opaque
Toxicity
Extremely Toxic, Chromium VI
This pigment likely extremely toxic. We’d be inclined to give it a more severe toxicity rating but we are not toxicologists, so please consult the relevant experts. See the Artist's Guide to Health and Safety for information about the hazards of pigments containing Strontium and also pigments containing Chrome, specifically Chromium VI. We always urge others to consult multiple qualified third party experts.
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.
