Epoxy resin is still feared by many as a product that can be unsafe to use, however the formulations in epoxy resin have come a long way over the last 10 years, and therefore some epoxy resins can be safe to use, when used as directed. What started out as a relatively unsafe creative hobby has become a safe and popular crafting activity.
The key to staying safe is to follow the safety guidance set out by the brand you are using, because every brand’s epoxy resin is formulated differently and each one needs different safety measures in place. Please note that price does not tell you whether a resin is safe: some cheaper epoxy resins are as safe as more expensive brands, and some expensive ones are not. Always research your brand before use, and check the labelling on the bottles for No VOCs or Non-Toxic.
Everything below applies to Craft Resin’s epoxy resin. If you are using another brand, please visit that brand for their own guidance.
What the testing says
Our clear epoxy resin passed REACH, with the testing ID CAN20-140587.
Craft Resin’s epoxy resin is formulated using the highest quality materials and therefore produces no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) nor does it give off any harmful fumes. There are no solvents or non-reactive diluents in the formulations, which means that everything in the formulation reacts together with each other, and because of this reaction nothing is loose or free to become airborne and cause health issues.
It is also non-flammable in its liquid form, as long as certain things like alcohol inks aren't added to it. For all these reasons, it is classified as a non-hazardous material and is shippable by air.
What "non-toxic" actually means
Craft Resin is non-toxic and safe for home use. This is only valid when it is used as directed in a well ventilated space, so it is worth explaining what that means.
Resin that is advertised as non toxic and/or VOC free does not contain any elements that are deemed as toxic as per all the safety guidelines. Craft Resin is rigorously tested by an external company who are impartial. It is the VOC's, or volatile organic compounds, that make a resin toxic, and if it doesn't contain any VOCs to begin with, mixing A and B together cannot make it toxic. This also is not affected by heat as it is VOC free, so it doesn’t give off toxic chemicals when cool, warmed up in a warm sink or when a heat gun is used.
VOC's are found in everyday life: they are the elements that make markers and nail varnishes smell, or give plastics the "new" smell, and even the scent of the perfume or aftershave we wear. Resin's that contain VOC's are classed as toxic because the heat given off during the curing process lowers the boiling point of the VOC's, causing them to give off toxic fumes and vapours. Resins that contain VOC's generally have a strong odour or smell to them.
A resin that's advertised as non toxic, or VOC free, doesn't contain the VOC's, which means the heat made during the curing process has nothing to work on and therefore cannot give off toxic fumes and vapours as they're not present. Non toxic resins won't have a strong odour or smell because the compound isn't there to make it smell. Craft Resin has a slight smell which is much less than other resins that do contain VOCs.
Why we still recommend a respirator
The reason we recommend using a mask or respirator is because Craft Resin produces a low odour, and it is important to note that what customers are smelling are not fumes. It is also quite difficult to know whether the ventilation in your workshop is good enough, especially when you are also having to keep the temperature of your workspace stable. So it is better to stay on the safe side and protect yourself.
Wearing a respirator is a personal choice and no one who uses our epoxy resin is required to wear one under the safety inspection certificate. We recommend it anyway. The full answer, including how to judge your ventilation and how to choose a respirator, is in our dedicated guide: Do I need to wear a respirator when using Craft Resin epoxy resin?
Toxicity and sensitisation are not the same thing
Toxicity and sensitisation are two completely different things, and this is where some of the confusion lies. Something deemed as toxic will have an immediate effect on the organ when eaten, drunk or breathed in. Levels of toxicity will vary as will the response, but something being toxic is the effect it causes to the localised body part. Sensitisation is a process that involves the immune response and is therefore an allergic reaction. A toxic response is not an allergic reaction.
As with lots of things in life, resin contains natural and man-made elements, which affect us all differently depending on our immune system. For example, some people are allergic to peanuts but that doesn’t mean that peanuts are toxic. It is possible for someone to become sensitive to the resin and develop an allergic response, but that doesn't make it toxic. Sensitisation is your body responding to a stimulus.
Toxic effects and allergic responses are generally different symptoms, but sometimes can present in a similar way — for example an anaphylactic response is similar to a respiratory irritant. Even if you have been working with resin for a long time, your body can suddenly create an allergic response to it when it has not done so before.
If you have a reaction
If you do have any reactions or abnormal symptoms when using Craft Resin, always consult your GP or doctor as soon as possible.
If your symptoms have been mild, and only then, it can help to make a list of everything you have recently been using that could have caused the reaction. You can then start to eliminate them, avoiding items on that list for periods of time and gently introducing others back into your workspace to see whether any reaction occurs.
Always wear personal protective equipment as a barrier, to stop any irritation from happening in the first place.
What safety precautions should I take?
If you follow the guidance below you will be able to use Craft Resin knowing that you are protected.
- Wear gloves. Epoxy resin is a very sticky substance and can cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with your skin. We supply a pair of gloves in our kits, though you may want more pairs in case of breakages. If you are allergic to latex, purchase an alternative set. Longer gloves that also cover your forearms add more protection.
- If resin contacts your skin, wash it off straight away with soap and water.
- Protect your eyes. Wear protective glasses or goggles. If you do get the product in your eyes, flush them with water for a few minutes, do not rub, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Work in a well ventilated area. If you can't work in a well ventilated area because of temperature, or you simply can't tell whether your work area is well ventilated, wear a respirator.
We cannot tell you which respirator to buy. If you take our Safety Data Sheet to a supplier of safety equipment, they will be able to advise which one gives you the correct protection and make sure it fits properly.
Food safety
By food safe we mean that once fully cured, Craft Resin is suitable for incidental food contact — food that touches the surface briefly and in passing. It is not intended for direct or prolonged food contact, so prepare food on a board rather than on the resin, and keep hot pans and oven dishes on a trivet.
Craft Resin has been tested by a third party for leaching and migration across worldwide standards and passed all testing: when you use Craft Resin as directed, the fully cured resin will not leach any substances into food that comes into contact with it.
Fully cured Craft Resin is safe for contact, including the rim your lips touch. The constraint is heat, not contact: do not use a resin-coated vessel for hot drinks, and keep resin off any surface that will meet hot liquids.
You can check Craft Resin’s Safety Data Sheet for further details.
Can I use Craft Resin when pregnant?
Although Craft Resin is safe for home use and non toxic, no specific testing has been carried out on the effects of using epoxy resin whilst pregnant. We would always recommend that you speak to a medical professional so that they can advise whether this would be safe for you and your baby.
If your medical professional says that it is safe and you wish to continue working with epoxy resin whilst pregnant, review the safety precautions you normally take. Wear full PPE, work in a well ventilated area, use a respirator, and take more breaks away from your crafting area.
If you are unsure at all, we would suggest taking a break from resin during your pregnancy. The health of your baby is much more important than your resin creations.
Still have a question?
If you need more information please contact us and we will assist you with more safety information, or provide you with our testing certificates.
If you haven’t started using epoxy resin because you were worried about the health implications, we hope the above has helped you understand how safe it can be and what precautions to take. If you'd like to give it a try, shop Craft Resin today.
Team Craft Resin
