What happens if you ingest a little bit of resin?

In most cases, NOTHING. Few resins are more than an annoyance. You mahy get a belly ache. “In polymer chemistry and materials science, a resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers.

Can you get sick from working with resin?

Lungs: Vapors and spray mists of most epoxy resin system chemicals can irritate your lungs. Some people develop asthma from the curing agents . Symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. These symptoms may occur after work or at night.

Is epoxy resin toxic to breathe?

Breathing highly concentrated epoxy vapor can irritate the respiratory system and cause sensitization. At room temperature, epoxy vapors are unlikely to be highly concentrated. However, if you are already sensitized to epoxy, exposure to low concentrations of epoxy vapors can trigger an allergic reaction.

What to do if you get resin in your mouth?

INGESTION Rinse mouth thoroughly . Do not induce vomiting. Drink plenty of water. Get medical attention.

Is resin really that toxic?

Craft Resin is Non-Toxic and safe for home use, this is only valid when used as directed in a well ventilated space, but what does that mean: Resin that is advertised as non toxic and/or VOC free does not contain any elements that are deemed as toxic as per all the safety guidelines.

Can resin fumes affect your lungs?

One may experience inflammation and irritation of the nose, lungs and throat . Continuous and increased exposure to epoxy fumes could lead to sensitization and even asthma. When epoxy dusts that aren't fully cured are inhaled, they get trapped along the mucus lining in our respiratory systems.

How long are epoxy fumes toxic?

Wait at least seven days and keep the room well ventilated to ensure that any lingering harmful fumes have time to dissipate. After seven days, your new floor should be fully cured and ready to serve you well for years to come!

How toxic is uncured resin?

In their uncured state, many resins can be hazardous . They often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled or come into contact with the skin. The risks associated with resin largely diminish once it is fully cured.

What happens if you inhale resin dust?

The reactive material can cause severe respiratory irritation and/or respiratory allergies. Epoxy Resin is Combustible and is an Explosion Hazard: When most people think of controlling dust in the workplace, they think of taking steps to avoid inhaling dusts to prevent health problems.

Is it safe to use resin indoors?

Epoxy resins are the safest of the resin types regarding harmful vapors. Epoxy is safe to use indoors, in most home areas or garage type application . If using in larger quantities, use of additional ventilation tools may be needed. Most often a fan will suffice for any given epoxy.

How long does resin give off fumes?

The smell will stop being strong after about 8 to 10 hours . Resin can sometimes take 3 days to cure, but that is generally a hard cure. Once it is at the soft cure or demolding stage, the fumes won't be a problem at all.

Why shouldn't you breathe in resin?

The biggest problem is becoming sensitive to it . Many people after touching it become highly sensitive to it and break out on their skin and even become physically ill. At that point breathing it might bring on an attack..

Plastic casting resin poisoning (2024)

Epoxy poisoning; Resin poisoning

Plastic casting resins are liquid plastics, such as epoxy. Poisoning can occur from swallowing plastic casting resin. Resin fumes may also be poisonous.

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or the local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Epoxy and resin can be poisonous if they are swallowed or their fumes are breathed in.

Where Found

Plastic casting resins are found in various plastic casting resin products.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of poisoning from plastic casting resin in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

Difficulty breathing
Rapid breathing

EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT

Drooling
Eye pain
Loss of vision
Severe pain in the mouth and throat
Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
Voice changes, such as hoarseness or muffled voice

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting, or vomiting blood
Burns of the food pipe (esophagus)
Blood in the stool

HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

Low blood pressure (develops rapidly)
Collapse

SKIN

Irritation
Burns
Holes in the skin or tissues under the skin

Home Care

Seek medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to do so.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

The person's age, weight, and condition
Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed

Poison Control

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The person may receive:

Blood and urine tests
Breathing support, including oxygen, a tube through the mouth into the throat, and a breathing machine
Chest x-ray
ECG (electrocardiogram or heart tracing)
Breathing support
Bronchoscopy, camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
Endoscopy, camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and stomach
Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
Medicine to treat symptoms
Laxatives
Surgery to remove burned skin (debridement)
Tube through the mouth into the stomach to remove the resin if within 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion
Washing of the skin (irrigation), every few hours for several days

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a person does depends on the amount of poison they swallowed and how quickly they receive treatment. The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Swallowing such poisons can have severe effects on many parts of the body. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, eyes, lungs, esophagus, nose, and stomach are possible.

Outcome depends on the amount of damage. Damage continues to occur to the esophagus and stomach for several weeks after swallowing the poison. Perforation (holes) may develop in these organs, leading to serious bleeding and infection. Death may occur months later. Treatment may require removal of part of the esophagus and stomach.

References

Hoyte C. Caustics. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 148.

Pfau PR, Benson M. Foreign bodies, bezoars, and caustic ingestions. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 27.

Version Info

Last reviewed on: 7/20/2021

Reviewed by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.