Re: Epoxy Resin Safety?
I agree with ondarvr (safe bet
.
Poly has more obvious toxicity... it emits styrene gas while curing. That's the bad smell. Obviously, don't breathe too much of it. Poly hardens via a catalyst, so the reaction does give off some gases.
Epoxy combines two sets of chemicals to form the hardened resin, and the reaction itself doesn't give off any actual reactants.. in theory all the chemicals will be consumed in the reaction.
In practice, small amounts of both chemicals remain free in the hardened resin, the air, and the space where the epoxy was used for some time.
The chemicals used for epoxy, specifically the amines in the hardeners, are more toxic than poly or its hardener, and exposure is generally considered cumulative. It adds up over time.
You can develop a sensitivity to it over time that may eventually result in a strong allergic reaction to contact with it. This reaction will make you give up use of the stuff completely. I gather it's rather like having all over eczema.
Any contact with the hardener can trigger it once established, and any contact with the hardener in liquid, powder, particulate, etc form can eventually give it to you. Bare skin on an epoxy coated panel that's already cured can do it.
So in a nutshell, work outside, or if that's not possible, you could do what I do and try to ensure a positive airflow away from living spaces. Also use a respirator and gloves at least. Try to keep the stuff off of your skin.
If you have kids, I wouldn't take the chance of working with it in your basement. Use the garage or go outside.
Erik
