Working with epoxy resin can be highly rewarding as you get to perfect your craft and explore your creativity. But there are a few safety precautions you need to take when working with these chemicals.
You can purchase many resin art supplies from the justresin.store but make sure you look into buying protective equipment for your body. The resin has to be kept away from your skin and you need to select the right gloves for it. And using just any mask you have is not right. You need to select a respirator that has organic vapour filters. Many people work with resin without using the right protective wear but there can be many health risks that arise from this. When you mix resin with hardener, it releases fumes and this continues to off-gas throughout the curing process. So any time you are working with it or if you are in its proximity, you have to wear a respirator. You may find certain brands that label their products as non-toxic but you have to be safe regardless as the chemical reaction that takes place will result in fumes. Look for a respirator that is equivalent to N95 with organic filters. Look for a respirator that can be easily adjusted so you can achieve a perfect fit. There are also half face respirators you can use that cover the mouth and nose. You will need to wear some goggles with this. Otherwise, a full respirator will protect your eyes as well. If you wear glasses, you have to look into a respirator that accommodates it.
Your hands should be protected when working with epoxy resin. Look for safety disposable gloves made of vinyl or nitrile. It is not recommended to use latex gloves as these will not fare well against chemical reactions. Skin irritation is a common issue with epoxy resin if it comes into contact with your hands. So wearing gloves will help prevent contact dermatitis. This will also prevent your hands from getting stained when working with resin pigments. If some resin gets onto your skin, you should not use any other chemicals to remove it. Alcohol or paint thinner should be avoided. You can use a tablespoon of baking soda and dish soap on your hand. Scrub the hands together over the sink and once the resin is removed, you can rinse the hands. But don’t add water to the initial mixture.
You have to consider your workspace for resin crafts. Many people tend to work outdoors as they can benefit with good ventilation. But if you are working indoors, you need to select an area with fresh air coming out and indoor air going out. The gassing time for different resin brands will vary so even if you have worked with resin for a long time, you have to make sure that you read the instructions each time. This will also give the curing time specific to the brand and the product. Generally, the curing time will be about 72 hours and you have to maintain good ventilation throughout this entire time.
