I don't really care for batiks and it has nothing to do with chemicals. I just do not like the feel of it. It's a personal preference. I've made only a couple of quilts with batiks and decided not to use it again for whole quilts. I'll use a bit in scrappy's or binding but that is the extent. Now, reading this and seeing Jane's, I may think twice about using it at all.... I'll have to research, too....