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The Safety Series - Introduction

 Hi everyone!

Today I'm going to discuss a topic that's been surprisingly controversial within the international resin community- safety and precautions. Somehow the suggestion that resin should be used with caution tends to offend some people. Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either but anyway...

There's a lot of important information to be shared so I'm going to break it down into a series of posts where you can learn about the different aspects of resin safety. This series is not meant to deter you from starting this hobby but rather to encourage you to work safely.

Before you start working with any unfamiliar chemical, you need to do your research. Don't expect that you'll know everything there is to know about resin safety from this blog alone. These posts are not a substitute for proper research, nor are they intended to provide medical, legal or any other professional advice. 

You need to thoroughly research epoxy resin and the potential dangers involved with using it before you ever mix a cup of resin. 

Your health and safety depend on it, as well as those of your housemates and your pets.

There are numerous resin brands on the market and every one should have a Safety Data Sheet/Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) available for potential customers. If you cannot find it on their website, you should contact them and ask for it to be sent to you. This gives you information on the different components of the product and the relevant safety information. Please read and familiarise yourself with this sheet before purchasing your resin.

Note: This blog deals with epoxy resin but safety precautions should also be used with other types such as polyester or UV resin.

"Is it really that dangerous? I've been using it without a respirator and I'm fine!"

Yes, it is dangerous. You may not have had a reaction YET but it doesn't mean you'll never have one. Some people are more likely to react than others but there have been numerous cases of people starting to react to resin after using it without personal protective equipment (PPE) for years without problems. Some of them were informed by their doctors that repeated exposure can cause sensitisation, which means it takes less and less exposure to cause blistered skin, swollen eyes, difficulty breathing and other issues. You could end up unable to handle even cured resin or use other chemicals such as nail polish.

Even if you wear PPE, you need to also consider anyone else who may be exposed. Your family, roommates and pets will all be at risk for the adverse effects of resin use unless you practise your craft far away from them. Can you really look Fluffy in the eye and ask him who's a good boy, knowing you've just put him at risk for a serious health issue?

The good news is that if you use proper precautions, you're a whole lot less likely to have an adverse reaction. 

If you want more information on potential adverse reactions, have a look at this Facebook group.

My next few posts will go into more detail about the different things you need to consider and equipment you should buy before getting into the exciting world of resin crafting.

Love and meows,

Alistina Studio <3

Images from Pexels, Pinterest

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