Important safety information when using resin!
It is extremely important to ensure that when you are using resin, you are safe.
Remember that resin is a chemical and one that can be dangerous to your health if you are not taking the correct safety procedures. For those of you that want to nerd out here’s a Wikipedia page all about epoxy resins.
I talk a lot in my videos about ensuring that you are safe when using resin. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure that they have fully researched the resin that they are using and making sure that they take the appropriate precautions when using resin.
I don't want to scare anyone, as this hobby is extremely safe if you are following the correct procedures to make sure you are safe.
Effects on your health
Many people who use resin suffer from contact dermatitis if their skin comes into contact with resin or the fumes that come off resin when it is curing; I know because I’m one of them. It causes me to break out into a severe rash if the fumes, or the resin, get onto my skin. It will also make my eyes really sore and cause them to swell up. However, I am always careful to use the correct personal protection equipment (PPE), so thankfully, this issue is not something I have to deal with very often.
“The main effects of overexposure are irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, skin allergies, and asthma. The solvent additives can cause other effects such as headaches, dizziness, and confusion.”
Read more here: California Department of Public Health - Epoxy Resin Systems
Safety precautions I recommend
These are the precautions i recommend. This is not an exhaustive list, just the main areas to consider.
Disposable nitrile gloves
Wear gloves that protect your hands from the resin and hardener. You'll want to choose gloves that are resistant to chemicals and comfortable to wear so you don't feel restricted.
Available from Amazon USA or Amazon UKEye protection
This is a must when working with resin. Remember to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from accidental splashes or spills. You don’t want any resin in your eyes, that could be very painful and potentially damage your sight!
Available from Amazon USA or Amazon UKRespirator mask
Wear a respirator mask to protect your lungs from fumes and vapours. Breathing in the fumes could be dangerous to your health, so don't take any chances and ensure you're protected.
Available from Amazon USA or Amazon UKWear a long-sleeved top and an overall or apron
Ensure you protect your skin. If uncured resin gets onto your skin, remove it immediately with a baby wipe or soap and water.
Don’t use alcohol or things like acetone on your skin, as this can irritate the area further and be absorbed into the body.Keeping children and pets away from your work area.
Resin is not something you want them to come in contact with, so it's better to be safe than sorry.Don't eat or drink while working with resin
You don't want to ingest any of it accidentally!Finally, dispose of unused or leftover resin responsibly.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Don't just throw it away or pour it down the drain, that can harm the environment.
