Is Resin Toxic When Dry?

All You Need to Know for Working With Epoxy Safely

Epoxy resin is a popular product that is widely utilized by all sorts of craftsmen and those who need to deal with it because of the specifics of their jobs (for instance, people involved in aircraft or marine vessels building).

Naturally, since epoxy is a chemical substance, people start wondering sooner or later whether it is safe for humans. Is epoxy toxic? This is probably the most frequent inquiry asked these days.

If you are also interested in the epoxy safety topic, we advise reading this article attentively.

Is Epoxy Resin Toxic?

Epoxy resin is marvelous stuff: it can be used for almost any task from flooring and various handmade crafts to boat repair and wood furniture making. This material is well-known for its extreme durability, a wide area of utilization, and of course, ease of use.

However, since this stuff is mostly made of artificial compounds, people become concerned about epoxy toxicity.

Is epoxy toxic? Shortly speaking, no, it isn’t. This kind of casting substance is considered to be of minor threat for humans if, for instance, it is ingested, inhaled, or touched. However, we still need to take into account several nuances when working with this material since, in some states, epoxy can be somewhat harmful indeed.

The cured epoxy resin is non-toxic which means that the solid hardened item made of it is completely safe. Feel free to touch it, walk on it, or place anything on it.
The uncured epoxy, on the contrary, can be hazardous. When the uncured (liquid) resin is combined with the hardener, a chemical reaction takes place which can cause certain damage if no precautions are taken.
Dust epoxy appears when we sand the finished item to make it smooth. Remember to wear a barrier mask/respirator and eye protection every time you’re sanding the epoxy item.

The hardener that often comes with the epoxy resin as a part of the two-stage system is also safe to use.

Credits: Pinrath Phanpradith, via Canva.com

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Epoxy Resin Health Hazards

Is epoxy resin hazardous? Well, at a certain point yes. The hard material is safe for people but its liquid form is more harmful. The fumes of liquid evaporating epoxy, as well as tiny particles of epoxy dust, by the way, contain harmful compounds that can cause certain problems when inhaled.

You won’t get an epoxy poisoning, of course, but certain resin toxicity may lead to quite an unpleasant aftermath.

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One of such epoxy dangers is inhaling its fumes. They can damage the nose, throat, and lungs causing inflammation and irritation. Repeated exposure may even result in asthma.
If the dust is inhaled, it can be stuck in the lining of the respiratory system and lead to serious problems.

Of course, those who are initially allergic to epoxy have another reason to avoid this substance.

Credits: Hydrogenn, via Canva.com

Is There a Non-Toxic Epoxy Resin?

If you are concerned about the epoxy resin toxicity, try to find a non-toxic epoxy to work with.

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The non-toxic clear casting resin is not something rare in the market, fortunately, so everything hangs upon what you need it for. The most common health-friendly casting substance is the one produced by the ArtResin brand.

This product is described as non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-hazardous, and it’s used for various resin arts like jewelry making, etc.

SAFETY WARNING WHEN USING RESIN!!! Watch This Before using resin for art or jewelry

Working With Epoxy Safely

Like any chemical substance, this substance must be treated with care. Even though it is not toxic, ensure you follow the basic precautions:

Ventilate the room you’re working in. Open the windows and the door, turn on the fan, well, do anything you can to let the maximum of air in.
Protect yourself by wearing gloves, goggles, and a respirator. Also, put on a long-sleeved shirt and pants to avoid any accidental drippings.
Remember about hygiene. After you finish working with the epoxy, wash your hands (pay extreme attention to nail beds and nails where the substance likes to hide!) and take off the contaminated clothing. If any epoxy residue gets into your eyes or into your mouth, it may cause irritation, so double-check you’re properly washed!

Like that, you’ll be sure that no chemical stuff ends up in your plate of an eye.

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Epoxy is great stuff to get creative with, but no matter what it’s used for, be careful and protect yourself to enjoy the process safely.

Written by Melinda Sherween

Melinda worked as an art consultant and Home Designer for eight years in total. As an art consultant, she was first employed in a local art gallery in San Francisco where she was responsible for picking the most suitable artwork for her clients depending on their goals and budget. At this job, Melinda showed herself as a confident specialist and a true art lover with exceptional taste and artistic sense. Melinda is a passionate author of Housekeeping Bay and we are really happy that she is our Expert.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here.

2023-12-11T15:03:30+00:00

Oliver

Hey there! If you use it according to the directions and in a room with adequate ventilation, this resin is non-toxic and safe for use in the house.

2023-12-08T14:54:16+00:00

Jane

Hi! I want to try some DIY projects using craft resin, but I have a question: is craft resin toxic?

2023-11-29T06:19:02+00:00

hugh

Is UV resin toxic after curing? I know it’s unsafe when liquid. What about its cured form?

2023-10-17T12:52:28+00:00

Amanda

Yes, UV resin is a toxic substance, which is why it requires strict safety precautions. In its liquid form, UV resin contains irritants that can be harmful to humans.

2023-10-02T15:16:44+00:00

Bella

Is UV resin toxic? I want to try it but I’m afraid it can be harmful.

2023-09-04T04:53:42+00:00

Matilda

I know that epoxy resin in itself is not considered toxic for dogs. But when mixed with hardener, it becomes toxic. Buy your pet more toys or healthy snacks to chew. Maybe, it will distract him from your epoxy items.

2023-05-19T07:26:36+00:00

Lisa

Is epoxy resin toxic to dogs? I’m an epoxy resin craftswoman, but my dog is always trying to chew on the resin figures I make. I’m afraid the resin might hurt his health.

2023-05-15T08:06:41+00:00

Olivia

I’m not a specialist in epoxy resin, but I think that, if you dispose of it correctly, it won’t hurt the environment. But if you just throw it away in a garbage bin, it may affect the environment.

2023-04-25T17:58:09+00:00

Tina

Is epoxy resin harmful to the environment? Does it hurt nature when we dispose of it?

2023-03-30T11:41:26+00:00

Debra

Yes, the chemicals in epoxy resin can affect your health when they come in contact with your skin. The main effects of exposure are irritation of the skin and skin allergies.

2023-03-16T09:46:51+00:00

Holly

Is epoxy resin harmful to human skin (e.g., if I accidentally spill some on my hands)?

2021-11-19T13:31:23+00:00

Raina

Well, if you are not allergic to epoxy resin or to any of its components, inhaling its fumes is not dangerous. However, if you are in a room that is heavily filled with epoxy fumes, you might feel a bit unwell.

2021-11-18T14:05:38+00:00

Sarah

What happens if you breathe in fumes from resin? Can you have any respiratory problems?

2021-11-17T13:11:34+00:00

Cynthia

Well, from my own experience, I can tell you that you should leave your room to air it for a couple of days. But airing means you shall leave all the windows wide open! Epoxy resin does have quite a heavy odor, and if you don’t ventilate the room, that smell will remain for 2 to 10 days!

2021-11-16T15:33:46+00:00

Maeve

How long are epoxy fumes toxic? After I use this resin, for how long do I have to ventilate the room?

2021-11-15T12:03:34+00:00

Genevieve

Of course it is safe! Almost all types of epoxy resins that are sold today are considered non-toxic and safe for being used indoors! Especially if you will be using epoxy resin designed for handmade projects.

2021-11-12T13:06:50+00:00

Rylee

I want to try to make accessories from epoxy resin, but it means I will have to work in my room. Is this type of resin safe to use indoors?

2021-11-11T12:45:57+00:00

Teagan

No, when you inhale its fumes, they can’t cause you any harm. Epoxy is considered non-toxic and even the level of danger caused by ingesting it is extremely low.

2021-11-10T13:31:03+00:00

Claire

Can you get poisoning from inhaling epoxy resin fumes?

2021-11-09T15:16:30+00:00

Ryleigh

Hey! I don’t think it is because of resin. See, epoxy resin is considered non-toxic since the risk of damage caused by its ingestion, as well as inhaling, is very small. Unless you are hypersensitive to the components of epoxy resin, your headaches might have a different cause.

2021-11-08T14:44:04+00:00

Owen

Hi folks! I need your help please. Is epoxy resin toxic when cured? I work with it pretty often, and I recently started noticing that I have headaches more often than before. Could that be because of resin?

2021-11-05T15:59:35+00:00

Kimberly

Hi! Well, I’ve been using art resin for several years by now, and I know for sure it’s safe. At least, until you use it according to the instructions. But in general, artistic resin is no cause for concern or risk to one’s health.

2021-11-04T15:57:25+00:00

Leah

Is resin safe when dry? I mean art resin, because my daughter wants to attend art classes of abstract painting, and they are using pouring techniques there that imply the use of resin. So I wonder how safe that is. Does anyone know?

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