Safe Handling of Epoxy Resin

Protect Yourself First - Guideline for the safe handling of resin systems

Epoxy resin is a versatile medium used in a variety of artistic and practical projects, from jewelry and coasters to tables and more. While it offers creative potential, it's essential to follow safety precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. This guide covers the key precautions to take when working with epoxy resin, potential hazards, and best practices for handling and storing the material.

Quick View: Safe Handling of Epoxy Resin

1. Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area. Open windows or use fans.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
3. Gloves: Use nitrile or vinyl gloves.
4. Mask: Wear a respirator mask with an organic vapor cartridge.
5. Eye Protection: Use safety goggles or glasses.
6. Avoid Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly if contact occurs.
7. Mix Safely: Use compatible materials; research before mixing.
8. Curing: Let projects cure in a well-ventilated space.
9. Dust Protection: Wear a mask during sanding.
10. Ingestion: Drink water if swallowed; do not induce vomiting.
11. Spill Cleanup: Use acetone, alcohol (IPA), or warm soapy water.
12. Storage: Keep out of reach of children; store securely.
13. Disposal: Solidify small quantities before disposal; follow local regulations.
14. Avoid During Pregnancy: Do not use epoxy resin while pregnant or breastfeeding.
15. Hair Safety: Secure long hair tightly away from resin before starting your project.
16. Children: Not recommended for kids under 14 years of age.
17. Weather Conditions: Avoid working on rainy days or in high humidity.
18. Container Storage: Keep container closed to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.
19. Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
20. Jewelry Safety: Remove hand jewelry (rings, watches) before starting resin work to prevent damage.

What is Epoxy Resin?

Epoxy resin is a man-made material created through the chemical reaction between epoxide compounds and a curing agent (Activator/Hardener). It cures through a chemical process or ultraviolet light, resulting in a material known for its strength, durability, and resistance to chemicals and environmental factors. Typically, epoxy resin is used as an adhesive, coating, or casting material.

Composition of Epoxy Resin

• Resin Component: Epoxide Compounds: These are the primary building blocks that undergo polymerization during curing.
• Hardener Component: Amines or Polyamines: Responsible for initiating the curing reaction with the epoxide compounds.
• Modifiers and Additives:
  
  • Fillers: Enhance viscosity, reduce shrinkage, and improve mechanical properties (e.g., silica, microspheres).
  • Diluents: Low-viscosity liquids that make the epoxy mixture easier to apply.
  • Colorants and Pigments: Added to achieve the desired visual appearance.
• Stabilizers and Inhibitors:
  
  • Stabilizers: Prevent premature curing during storage.
  • Inhibitors: Control the curing process, providing more application time.

Is Epoxy Resin Toxic?

While generally safe when used properly, epoxy resin contains components that can pose health risks if mishandled. During the curing process, the resin and hardener react chemically, generating heat and releasing fumes that can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

Safety Measures When Working with Epoxy Resin:

1. Ventilation: Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated to dissipate fumes during the curing process. Options include:
   
   • Opening windows
   • Using ceiling, floor, or tabletop fans
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
   
   • Wear appropriate PPE to protect your skin and respiratory system:
   • Gloves: Use nitrile or vinyl gloves, as latex gloves do not offer adequate protection against chemicals.
   • Respiratory Mask: Use a mask with an organic vapor cartridge for vapors and a dust/mist mask for sanding.
   • Eye Protection: Wear safety goggles or glasses to prevent eye irritation from splashes and fumes.
3. Avoid Skin Contact: Minimize skin contact with epoxy resin. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water or use a waterless, non-solvent skin cleanser.
4. Follow Instructions: Always adhere to the manufacturer's instructions and recommended safety precautions for specific epoxy formulations.
5. Safe Mixing and Curing
   
   • Mixing: Research compatible materials to mix with epoxy resin. Use mica powder, resin dye, or food coloring for color, and glitter or plastic objects for effects.
   • Curing: Allow projects to cure in a well-ventilated space to avoid the buildup of harmful fumes.
6. Handling Epoxy Dust
   
   • Wear a mask or respirator to protect against inhaling epoxy dust, especially during sanding.
   • Work in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to unreacted materials in the dust.
7. Ingestion and Cleaning
   
   • Ingestion: If swallowed, drink water but do not induce vomiting. Seek medical advice immediately.
   • Cleaning Spills: Use acetone, lacquer thinner, or alcohol (isopropyl or denatured) for resin spills. Clean hardener spills with isopropyl or denatured alcohol or warm soapy water.
   • Disposal: Mix small quantities of unused resin and hardener to let it solidify before disposal. Follow local regulations for disposal of cured epoxy.

How to Safely Store Epoxy Resin

1. Secure Storage: Store epoxy resin in a secure, designated area out of reach of children. Use high shelves or locked cabinets.
2. Keep Away from Food and Drink: Avoid storing resin near food preparation areas to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Education and Awareness: Educate family members about the potential risks of epoxy resin and ensure they understand it is not for play or consumption.
4. Protect the products from direct sunlight. Storage between 15 and max. 28° C, dry separated from salts.
5. Storage stability under these conditions approx. 12-24 months

By following these safety precautions, you can safely enjoy working with epoxy resin and create the art of your dreams. As you gain experience, these practices will become second nature, allowing you to focus more on your creativity while maintaining a safe environment.

Hazard Warnings

General Hazards

Resin

• Causes serious eye irritation
• Causes skin irritation
• Can cause allergic reactions on the skin
• Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects

Hardener/Activator

• Harmful if inhaled
• Harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin
• Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
• Can cause allergic reactions on the skin
• Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects

Specific Component Warnings

A Component:

Danger:

• Causes skin irritation and serious eye irritation.
• May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
• Avoid inhalation of dust, smoke, gas, mist, vapor, or aerosol.
• Avoid release to the environment.
• Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and face protection.

First Aid:

• Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
• Disposal: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations.

B Component:

Danger:

• Harmful if inhaled, swallowed, or in contact with skin.
• Causes severe skin irritation and serious eye damage.
• May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.
• Avoid release to the environment.
• Do not breathe dust, smoke, gas, mist, vapor, or aerosol.
• Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection.

First Aid:

• Skin: Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Wash skin with water/shower.
• Inhalation: Remove the person to fresh air and ensure they can breathe freely.
• Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Call a POISON CENTER 1919 /doctor immediately.
• Ingestion: Call a POISON CENTER 1919/doctor if you feel unwell.
• Storage: Store locked up.

Ingredients: (Example Only)

A Component Warning:

Contains: 2,2'-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]bisoxirane, Reaction mass of 2,2'-[methylenebis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]dioxirane and [2-({2-[4-(oxirane-2ylmethoxy)benzyl]phenoxy}methyl)oxiranes and [2,2'-[methylenebis(2,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]dioxirane oxiranes, mono((C12-14-alkyloxy)methyl) derivs.

B Component Danger:

Contains: Reaction product: 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine and 4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenol, oligomeric reaction products with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane m-phenylenebis(methylamine) salicylic acid.