Toxicity, hazard and safe handling

As discussed in previous paragraphs of this ehapter, epoxy resins are a complex blend of ehemieal eompounds speeially selected to achieve desired characteristies. As with any ehemieal, poor handling or misuse of an epoxy resin and its euring agent ean be hazardous to health, and risks can be minimized by using simple precautions, appropriate care and control. In particular, the major health problems associated with use of epoxy resins are as follows  

As noted, epoxy resins are known to be skin sensitizers while the hardeners are classified as corrosives and irritants by inhalation or when in contact with the skin. The primary skin irritation (i.e. eontaet dermatitis) is due to the direct action of the material on the skin and is loealized only in the contact area its degree is directly related both to the eoneentration of the chemical and to the duration of the exposure. In contrast, skin sensitization (i.e. allergic dermatitis) is different from contact dermatitis, even if they often appear 

To isolate operators from the chemical and prevent irritation of the respiratory tract and the eyes, all work using epoxy products should be carried out in an enclosed environment but, in practice, this is difficult to achieve, particularly with the materials used in the manufacture of composite components. For this reason, ventilation of the work area (through forced extraction systems) and adequate personal protective equipment for workers (gloves, goggles, overalls, facemasks, etc.) are indispensable. 

As regard the reproductive system, the epoxy resins and curing agents themselves probably do not affect pregnancy and reproduction in humans even if some of the diluents and solvents in epoxy resin systems may affect reproduction. In particular, two solvents sometimes found in epoxy resin systems (2-ethoxyethanol and 2-methoxyethanol) cause birth defects in laboratory animals and reduced sperm counts in men. Moreover, some glycidyl ethers also damage the testes and cause birth defects in test animals. It is not known whether they have the same effects in humans. Most other solvent additives have not been adequately tested to determine if they affect reproduction. 

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