You've heard us say that ArtResin is non-toxic and safe for home use when used as directed in a well ventilated area, but there are some common sense precautions every user should follow:
- Wear gloves.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Discontinue use and seek medical attention if you experience skin irritation, swelling or if epoxy resin comes into contact with your eyes.
When it comes to safety precautions, a Safety Data Sheet is your go-to reference no matter what product we’re talking about. The ArtResin SDS is available on our website. No matter what your safety questions are, you will find the answers in that document!
1. Wear Gloves
ArtResin in its liquid form is sticky stuff. REALLY sticky!
Your first line of defense should always be a pair of gloves.
Gloves will protect the user from a sticky mess as well as possible skin irritation.
We like to use nitrile gloves here at the studio - they are similar to latex but a lot stronger and with none of the allergenic compounds commonly associated with latex.
If you do happen to get ArtResin on your skin, promptly wash it off. You can use hand soap, but we find an exfoliant cleanser to be far more effective at cleaning sticky hands!
We either dry wash first with an orange hand cleaner from the hardware store and then rinse ... or even better, we like to keep a small bowl of poppyseeds by the sink. Put some liquid hand soap in the palm of your hand, add a pinch of poppyseeds and rub well (no water - rub it in dry). Then rinse with water and your hands will be clean and resin free!
⚠️ NOTE: Don't use varsol, vinegar, alcohol or acetone to clean your hands.
These items are great at breaking down epoxy resin, but that also enables your skin to absorb it - and you don't want that! Save that stuff for cleaning your tools, but keep it well away from your bare skin when working with resin.
Dave made a great video on how to clean your hands:
( and another great video here on how to clean your resin cups and containers )
2. Work in a well ventilated area.
In developing ArtResin, one of our main goals was to develop a product that would not cause any health threats to the people using it. You do not need to use a respirator when using ArtResin as directed and in a well-ventilated area.
For many resin brands on the market, however, wearing a respirator is a requirement. Many are classified as a hazardous material. They are highly toxic and meant to be used in industrial applications with heavy duty respirators, protective eyewear and hazmat clothing. They can't be shipped by air for safety reasons, and in most cases are flammable.
ArtResin is recognized by the American Society for Testing and Materials as meeting safety standard ASTM D-4236: Safe for Home Use. Every art material must be evaluated by the ASTM toxicologists for any potential threats, and warnings must be included on the label.
Is Epoxy Resin Toxic To Breath?
After extensive evaluation, including the resin and hardener in their individual liquid states, when mixed together, during torching and after curing, no component of ArtResin's make-up was found to be harmful, toxic, hazardous, flammable or dangerous when used as directed. The tests confirm that ArtResin releases no fumes or VOCs. It is a complete system where every component of the resin and hardener combines to form a strong bond - meaning nothing is left to become airborne and breathed in.
ArtResin produces a very low odor which, depending on the sensitivity of the user, may be barely noticeable or not noticeable at all. It's important to differentiate that what the user is smelling is simply that - a smell - and NOT fumes.
Unlike with most other resins, our customers will not find any warning labels, skull and cross bone icons or corrosive pictograms on ArtResin's packaging or on our bottles - which means our customers can relax and focus on getting creative :)
Can I Use Epoxy Resin Without A Mask?
⚠️ NOTE: The recommendation to wear a respirator while using ArtResin in a non-ventilated space is intended as an extra precaution, not as a requirement. Standard practice in the chemical industry is to over label and over warn for safety. Of course, the choice to wear a respirator is yours: we encourage users to take whatever precaution they wish to ensure their comfort when working with ArtResin.
3. If you find yourself demonstrating a reaction to epoxy resin, discontinue use and seek prompt medical attention.
Allergic symptoms can present as skin inflammation, redness and irritation which often subsides once exposure has been interrupted. Symptoms can also include swelling and fluid-filled blisters. Regardless of when reactions occur or their severity, allergy sufferers should discontinue use of ALL epoxy resins indefinitely in order to protect themselves. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell whether someone will have an epoxy allergy until symptoms present themselves. Typically, symptoms of epoxy resin allergy develop slowly over time.
⚠️ If ArtResin somehow comes in contact with your eyes, flush with water repeatedly for 15 minutes and do not rub. Wear safety glasses if it makes you feel more comfortable. For detailed health information, please see the ArtResin SDS.
So let the label be your guide: if the resin you're using doesn't say "conforms to ASTM D-4236", then chances are it poses some serious health risks. Please make sure you are taking appropriate safety precautions or even easier ... switch to a safe product like ArtResin :)
Do you want to learn more about epoxy resin and safety? Read our guides below:
- Is ArtResin Safe For Home Use?
- What Makes ArtResin Safe?
- Is ArtResin Food Safe?
- Safety Certifications - What Do They Mean?
- How Dangerous Is Your Epoxy Resin?
- Food Safe Epoxy Guide
- Is Epoxy Resin Toxic?
- Non Toxic Epoxy Resin
- Is ArtResin BPA Free?
- Can You Be Allergic To Epoxy Resin?
ArtResin: The Original Epoxy For Resin Art.
