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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Health concerns regarding polyester resin handling

 

Hi,

I'm an artist and want to do a large piece with transparent polyester resin. First of all I want to know how safe is it to work with this resin. Does breathing the vapor of the resin have serious health hazards?

Thanks,

Andres Matute Echeverri
- Bogota, Colombia

Polyester resin, as well as the hardener are noxious chemicals. If you have to use them, do it in a well ventilated area, wear eye and hand protection and adequate clothing. If possible, use epoxy or acrylic resins instead of polyester.

Alfonso Hernandez
- Aurora, CO, U.S.A.

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Andres,

What Alfonso said is essentially correct.

From what I've seen of largish FRP manufacturing operations, ventilation is fairly important, sometimes people use rubber gloves ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , sometimes eye protection, most often they don't.

And an art piece would be far easier for you to do using Polyester which, anyhow, costs less than epoxy. Get some acetone ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] Warning! highly Flammable! , too, as that will help you to clean up things!

When you say 'large piece' do you really mean it? Why? Because if you get a whole drum of resin you'd need catalyst and maybe promotor .. in which case NEVER mix the two together and store separately.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).