Are you using a Safe Resin for your health?

Art Resin SHOULD NOT be harmful. But many resins out there are. Please read on. 

The truth is that in India manufacturers get away with selling harmful and substandard products because of poor regulation. Most of these resins could never be sold in a million years in Europe. That's because they do not conform to standards like ASTM D4236 which ensures art materials are safe to use. (Please google the standard). ASTM means American Society for Testing and Materials. 

WHY are some resins harmful? Because they contain Solvents, and give off Volatile Organic Content if the fumes are inhaled. These VOC's are bad for your lungs and can be cancerous. Should they contain solvents? NO. Should they give off VOC's? Very little if any. But they do, because Solvents allow them to cheapen the resin, lower the viscosity (so you think its better for mixing), and therefore make more money. And poor chemistry means VOC's don't form a part of the final chain and are released into the atmosphere as fumes which you and your children can inhale. 

The most common solvent that is used as a filler is Benzyl Alcohol. This is added between 4-8% of the total mixture. This SHOULD NOT be added into your resin, and if your resin has a strong odour from the bottle that could burn your eyes as well as is damaging your lungs when you inhale it, then probably contains it. How do you know if a resin does not contain it? Well it should be very low odour, and conform to ASTM D4236. The manufacturer HAS to provide an SDS or Safety Data Sheet with their product.

But the problem is most of the resin brands out there are buying from a manufacturer and repackaging. A resin plant costs tens of crores of rupees to set up, and not all these popular brands you guys like make their own resin. I don't want to name names, but it is your right to ask your resin supplier the following questions:

1. Will you provide a Safety Data Sheet with your resin?
2. Does it conform to ASTM D4236?
3. Does your resin contain Benzyl Alcohol?
4. Is it safe to work with your resin around children and pets?

In our industry we aren't allowed to add cancer causing material to tyres, because if someone burns it then cancer causing material will be released into the atmosphere and could cause harm. Here you are working with a harmful chemical in your own HOME. But you shouldn't have to. 

Please note that quality resin, because it does not contain solvent fillers will be more expensive. But it's better for your health and your family's health. Epoxy Resin for Art should not be harmful.

Everyone please check your resin bottles, which ones mention that they comply with ASTM D4236? If they do it has to be clearly labeled on the bottle.