This is an archived message posted to the Kayak Building Bulletin Board. If you would like to ask a question about building kayaks, you can post a new message.
Epoxy vapors and direct contact with the skin is dangerous. You may be using the stuff for years without protection when suddenly one day you find yourself having an allergic reaction. No going back at that point, it's irreversable. It is very dangerous to use a solvent like acetone to clean your hands with. The solvent thins the epoxy to a point where it easily goes through your skin into your blood. The vapors also carry the thinned epoxy into the air with it and add to the danger of inhaling the fumes. The dangerous part is in the hardener before it is completely chemicaly reacted with the resin. Use a respirator and gloves and protect your eyes!
Your body is the most valuable tool you possess; take care of it!
For all you folks who are having problems with allergies to epoxy there is a non-allergenic epoxy which is a high quality (used in aircraft) type you can use! I don't know much about it or how "non-allergenic" it really is so check into the details for yourself. It is a dark amber color and a 5:1 mix ratio.
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty sells the stuff and has a catalog on their web site. http://www.aircraft-spruce.com
I would provide a link if I knew how.
This is an archived message from The Kayak Building Bulletin Board.
Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
