There are several applications for epoxy resin even for household purposes. For instance, it is very effective for craft-making and binding broken items. Be that as it may, the issue most people have to deal with is the smell that it emits. For some, this smell can be very unbearable and even capable of causing adverse effects.
You can put an end to its unpleasant smell as long as you know the right things to do. We will walk you through what needs to be done to get rid of this smell. Answers to other related questions will also be given along with this.
Why Does Epoxy Resin Cause an Unpleasant Smell?
The resultant effects of mixing epoxy base and hardening/curing agents such as melamine and phenol are what cause the unpleasant smell common with many epoxy resin products. The effects of both the curing agent and the epoxy base cause the emission of heat and eventually, this leads to an unpleasant smell.
Ways to Get Rid of Epoxy Resin Smell
We would show you 5 ways you can put an end to the epoxy resin smell. They include:
Use Baking Soda, Water & Vinegar
This combination is guaranteed to put an end to this unpleasant smell. You should also know that it can do so for a long while. However, people that do not appreciate the lingering smell of vinegar (in particular) might not appreciate this method.
All you need to do is add baking soda, water, and vinegar into a spray bottle. Afterward, shake this combination very well. This solution can then be sprayed on the resin project. Make good use of a clean microfiber cloth to avoid marks.
It is also important that this is only done after the epoxy resin project is well-formed. In other words, it has to be hardened.
Washing with Mild Soap
Washing the epoxy resin project properly with mild soap can also do the trick. However, it might not do as much as some people would want.
However, the unpleasant smell is very likely to be done away with to a great extent. You can also repeat this process over time to increase the chances of totally getting rid of the unpleasant smell.
Make the Space More Ventilated
This is one of the most logical things to do. It should even be done even if you would try out other methods of dealing with this unpleasant smell.
Regardless of how long it might take, making the space more ventilated will work. This is because the inflow of fresh air will neutralize the unpleasant smell eventually. However, it is advised that another method(s) is used as well.
Put on a Mask
As you might have already guessed, this method is particular about making sure a person does not get to perceive this unpleasant smell. This is rather than dealing with the root cause of the smell; which is the epoxy resin project.
Intense Cleanup of Your Space
The epoxy resin project leaves behind particles that cause this smell. By cleaning your space intensely, you will be doing a lot to eliminate this unpleasant smell. The proper use of a vacuum cleaner can also come in handy.
Is the Smell of Epoxy Resin Dangerous?
As noted by the EPA, some of the compounds and chemical substances produced by epoxy resin are volatile and a few of them are toxic. The toxic compounds and chemical substances are capable of causing illnesses such as a headache and even respiratory complications.
Who Can Be Affected by the Smell of Epoxy Resin?
Some people are well able to cope with the smell of epoxy resin without feeling ill or irritated. However, some people do not do too well around such a smell. Some of them include:
Pregnant Women
Seeing how easily nauseous they can get, it is not hard to understand why this smell is a big issue for pregnant women. For this reason, you should do well to ensure pregnant women around you do not have to deal with this smell.
Infants
Infants have a nervous system and organs that are still developing. As a result, they might not be in a good position to cope with this smell. For this reason, you should keep epoxy resin projects out of the reach of infants (especially babies).
Asthma Patients
Asthma patients need to stay off smells that will make breathing difficult. The smell of epoxy resin could be this way and this explains why such people should stay out of its reach. If they have to come close to the space where epoxy resin projects have been done or stored, deliberate effort must be taken to get rid of the smell.
Safety Precautions when Using Epoxy Resin
Some safety precautions for those working with epoxy resin include:
- Working in a well-ventilated area
- Wearing a mask when working with the epoxy resin product
- Making use of epoxy resins that has low odor quality
- Ensuring that people around the area are not vulnerable to the smell
These safety precautions need to be taken seriously. This is to avoid having to deal with the unpleasant smell and/or getting harmed in any way.
