You can absolutely use Craft Resin in a safe way, when you follow the guidance in this weeks Blog. You don't need to fear using our brands epoxy resin, when the basic safety guidance is followed.
Every resin brand is formulated differently, so if you are using a different brand, then please check out their own guidance on safety. But if you're using Craft Resin and you'd like to learn more about using our brands resin safely, then keep reading...
Our clear epoxy resin has been screened against the REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), with all screened Candidate List SVHCs below 0.1% by weight in the tested sample.
Craft Resin's epoxy resin range is not VOC-free — like virtually all two-part epoxy systems, it contains some volatile organic compounds. We recommend working in a well-ventilated space and following the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for full handling guidance.
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.
Craft Resin epoxy is formulated for low odour and is suited to home and professional use. Follow the safety data sheet for handling and ventilation and wear gloves: uncured resin can irritate skin and, with repeated contact, cause an allergic skin reaction. What does that mean in practice:
Craft Resin is low-odour compared with solvent-based resins, which makes it more comfortable to use indoors. That is a real difference — but it is a separate question from how the uncured resin behaves on skin. Like all epoxy systems, uncured Craft Resin can cause skin irritation and, with repeated contact, an allergic skin reaction. VOC content has no bearing on that, which is why gloves matter even with a low-odour resin. Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated space.
The reason we recommend using a mask/respirator is because Craft Resin produces a low odour, it is important to note that what customers are smelling are not fumes. Also it is quite difficult to understand whether ventilation in your workshop is good enough, especially when you’re having to keep temperatures in your workspace. So better stay on the safe side to protect yourself.
VOC's are found in everyday life, they are the elements that make markers smell, or give plastics the "new" smell (and even the scent to the perfume or aftershave we wear).
Craft Resin does have a slight, mild smell during use — this is expected. Use it as directed, in a well-ventilated space.
Toxicity and sensitisation are two completely different things and mean different things, which can be where some 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, even if it hasn’t before.
If you do have any reactions or abnormal symptoms when using Craft Resin always consult your GP/Doctor also soon as possible.
It could be beneficial, if you are able to, make a list of items you have recently been using that could have caused the reaction. Then you can start to eliminate them by avoiding items on that list for periods of time, gently introducing others back into your workspace to see if any reactions occur. Only do this if your symptoms have been mild.
Also always wear personal protective equipment as a barrier to stop any irritation from happening in the first place.
If you need some more information please do contact us and we will assist you with more safety information or we can provide you with our testing certificates.
What Safety Precautions Should I Take:
If you follow the below guidance you will be able to use Craft Resin with the knowledge that you will be safe:
Wear gloves. Epoxy resin is very sticky substance and can cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with your skin. We do supply a pair of gloves in our kits, however if you are allergic to latex then we would suggest purchasing an alternate set to use. You also might want to look into gloves that are longer, therefore covering more of your arm skin also, this will add even more protection to your hands/arms.
If the epoxy resin does come into contact with your skin, wash it straight away with soap and water.
If you somehow get the product in your eyes, please flush your eyes with water for a few minutes and do not rub. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. To avoid epoxy resin getting into your eyes in the first place, please wear protective glasses or goggles.
Work in a well ventilated area. If you can't work in a well ventilated area due to temperature issues, or you simply can't tell if your work area is well ventilated, please wear a respirator. We cannot tell you which respirator to purchase, however if you take the SDS that we have with you to a respirator supplier they will be able to advise you which one would be best for your needs.
Food Safety:
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.
You can check out Epoxy Craft Resin's SDS for further details.
Can I Use Craft Resin When Pregnant:
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 may advise you if this would be safe for yourself and your unborn child.
If your medical professional says that it is safe, and you wish to continue working with epoxy resin whilst pregnant, we would highly recommend reviewing the safety precautions you normally take when using Craft Resin. Ensure that you wear full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and you work in a well ventilated area, ensuring you use a respirator, and take more breaks away from your crafting area.
If you haven’t started using epoxy resin for crafting yet because you’ve been worried about the health implications, we hope that the above has helped you to understand more about how safe it can be. And has given you peace of mind for the safety precautions you should take when working with crystal clear epoxy resin.
If you’d like to give creating with epoxy resin a try now you know more about how to protect yourself then purchase Craft Resin products today:
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Topic Of The Week Giveaway:
We have attached a giveaway to these Topic Of The Week announcements on our Instagram platform, this is helping us to spread the knowledge of how to use epoxy resin further, but also enabling anyone who helps us share this information to win free resin and mica powders.
To enter the weekly giveaway please see the latest post pinned to the top of our Instagram feed and follow the instructions to enter:
Team Craft Resin
