Epoxy resin is a very useful and versatile product. You can use it to make jewelry, crafts, and even furniture! But before you start working with epoxy resin you have to know if it’s safe to work with or if it could have any negative health effects on you.
But is epoxy resin dangerous to your health? Is epoxy resin body safe? What is epoxy poisoning? And what happens if you breathe in chemicals while pregnant? This article will answer all the questions you might have about epoxy resin safety!
How harmful is epoxy resin?
Epoxy resin is a strong adhesive and is not safe to use while pregnant. It is not safe to use on food or drink, skin or in the eyes and needs to be handled with care.
Here are some things you should know about epoxy:
- Epoxy resin is sticky, so keep it away from your skin as much as possible. Use gloves if available and an apron if necessary.
- Wear a mask when mixing the epoxy, as it can release toxic fumes into the air during this process.
- Keep the work area well ventilated by opening doors and windows and using fans if needed.
- Use only paintbrushes, especially for an epoxy resin that has never been used for any other product such as paint or varnish. This will prevent contamination of your epoxy product and ensure that it cures properly due to its temperature-sensitive nature (applies also applies to mixing containers). Note that once used on epoxy resin these brushes can no longer be used for anything else either due to leftover contamination byproducts being left behind they should therefore be disposed of after use instead of being washed out/cleaned which could result in harmful chemicals being released into waterways etcetera through runoff systems (eg sink drains) attached directly onto them!
Table of Contents
Can resin cause health issues?
Let’s be honest, it is a bit awkward to talk about these kinds of things, but ultimately you want to know if epoxy resin can cause infertility. The truth is this topic has not been fully researched by scientists yet.
Therefore, we cannot say for sure whether there will be any long-term health risks from the use of epoxy resin. At the same time, however, we believe that epoxy resin is safe when used properly and with adequate ventilation.
Epoxy resin should never come into direct contact with your skin since it may cause severe burns and irritations as well as blisters.
You also need to make sure that children or pets do not play with cured or uncured resin since they might ingest or inhale the substance which could possibly lead to serious health issues
Is epoxy harmful during pregnancy?
If you’re pregnant, the epoxy resin fumes can be harmful to you and your baby. Epoxy fumes not only cause problems with your lungs and respiratory system but also affect your nervous system.
Epoxy resins are a class of thermosetting polymers that are widely used in construction because of their high durability and hardness against most chemicals and conditions.
The process of using these resins to bind or seal certain materials involves heating plastics to release vapors that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Some people have reported experiencing side effects from exposure such as shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, seizures, confusion, and even comas after being exposed for long periods at high levels.
Epoxy poisoning is usually treated by stopping further exposure as soon as possible (by removing yourself from any area where there are fumes) followed up with oxygen therapy if needed; however, some people may require hospitalization depending on how severe their symptoms were before treatment started.
If you think that might be what’s going on with you then contact your doctor immediately!
Is epoxy resin body safe?
epoxy resin is generally safe, but it’s always wise to take proper precautions when using it. The first thing you want to do is make sure you’re using a body-safe resin.
There are some resins out there that aren’t meant for contact with the skin and can cause irritation or other health problems.
To be sure you have a body-safe resin, look on the label of your epoxy resin for words like ‘food-safe’, ‘body-safe’, or ‘USP’ meaning United States Pharmacopeia. If one of those terms is present in the name, you should be good to go!
If not, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the product is unsafe; more often than not it means that they just haven’t applied to get their product tested by an independent organization such as USP.
Should you wear a mask when using epoxy?
Wearing eye protection is essential for anyone who mixes or works with epoxy resins. You should always wear safety glasses when mixing the resin and hardener, and also when applying the mixture to your project.
When it comes to respiratory protection, you should use a face mask that fits securely over your mouth and nose, in addition to your safety glasses. The mask should be rated N95 or higher by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).
N95 masks are available at hardware stores in two varieties: disposable surgical masks, which are loose-fitting; and reusable respirators, which can be fitted to your face using straps and a small filter cartridge that attaches over your nose.
Reusable respirators offer better protection than disposable masks because they form a tighter seal on your face. They’re more expensive, though around $20 apiece and require more effort to clean between uses.
What is epoxy poisoning?
Epoxy poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in epoxy resin. Epoxy is a sticky substance used to fix things or make crafts. It can cause irritation and burns to the nose, throat, and lungs. Epoxy poisoning is also known as epoxide poisoning.
Epoxies come from both natural sources (e.g., rosin) and synthetic sources (e.g., bisphenol A).
Symptoms of epoxy poisoning include:
- wheezing
- coughing
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Is epoxy toxic after it dries?
Is epoxy resin safe? Yes, epoxy resin is safe once it has cured. It is non-toxic and BPA free, making it safe to use for food preparation.
We recommend using food-grade gloves and a dust mask when handling the resin to avoid getting chemicals on your hands or inhaling airborne particles.
Epoxy resins are also non-flammable and do not emit any harmful VOCs. Furthermore, epoxy resin does not leech anything into its surrounding environment nor does it have any negative effects on our bodies once completely hardened.
Because of this, epoxy resin is safe to use in homes with children or pets without exposing them to dangerous chemicals or toxins.
Epoxy can be used in aquariums as well and will not harm the fish or plants that reside within it after drying completely.
For these reasons, many people choose to use epoxy for their tables, countertops, or other surfaces are given its safety features and durability
What happens if you breathe in chemicals while pregnant?
If a pregnant woman breathes in chemicals, the chemicals can enter her bloodstream and get to the baby. They can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, causing headaches, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Chemicals can also cause damage to the kidneys and liver.
In summary: even though epoxy resin is not on the list of known toxins that cause infertility or birth defects in humans, you should avoid breathing in any chemical fumes while pregnant.
Conclusion
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, it is best to avoid epoxy resin.
After considering all the information, we see no reason why you would want to take any risks with your baby.
Of course, if you have already been using epoxy resin before discovering that you’re pregnant, there’s probably no need to panic.
But from now on we do not recommend using this product until after the birth of your child.
