When working with epoxy resin, it is important to take certain precautions to avoid potential health hazards. These include wearing protective clothing such as gloves, a respirator mask, and safety goggles to prevent inhalation and skin contact with the resin. It is also important to work in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of harmful fumes. Additionally, avoid eating, drinking or smoking while working with epoxy resin, and be sure to thoroughly wash your hands and any exposed skin after handling the material.
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If the necessary precautions are taken, it can be used without the risk of developing health problems.
Respiratory problems: the treatments performed on epoxy resin are quite diverse. Some of them cause it to turn into vapor, which significantly affects our respiratory system. However, the effects of epoxy vapor vary depending on where it is treated:
In poorly ventilated spaces with high temperatures, the concentration of epoxy vapor is higher, which can trigger an allergic reaction. But if it is done at room temperature and in outdoor spaces, the exposure is low.
Many of the jobs on pavements to remove epoxy are carried out in enclosed spaces, especially in industrial warehouses, so precautions to avoid these dangers are maximum. For example, the dust from sanding the epoxy contains chemicals that, if inhaled, can stick to the respiratory system, causing health problems.
Burns: burns are one of the less common dangers of epoxy. If it is in contact with the skin for a long time, it can cause serious irritations and chemical burns. Epoxy burns can discolor and leave scars on the skin. The time it takes to heal a wound depends on the concentrated amount of epoxy and the contact area.
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Dermatitis: Less than 10% experience skin reactions when exposed to epoxy resin. On the other hand, the most common effects are dermatitis that can range from swelling and itching to inflammation and red eyes. The discomfort can be severe, but will disappear over time.
However, we must be very careful, because repeated contact with epoxy can cause chronic dermatitis. If left untreated, this reaction can lead to eczema, a type of dermatitis that causes itching, blisters or swelling.
Although the possibility of these dermatitis occurring is less than 2%, they constitute one of the most serious health hazards of epoxy. Acute dermatitis, like any other allergy, occurs when the body reacts disproportionately to an allergen.
This reaction, in turn, depends on many factors:
Frequency and degree of exposure.
Immune system.
Skin type.
Greater or lesser sensitization to epoxy can occur with a single exposure or after many.
We can become sensitized in 10 days, a month or after 4 years. However, as epoxy resin is dangerous, we must count the number of times we are exposed to it to see our own evolution.
Identifying symptoms, applying first aid and preventive measures is the best way to avoid problems caused by epoxy resin.
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Of course, we cannot forget that we must take all necessary precautions to avoid these allergies.