Safety Advice for Fibres & Reinforcements
Gurit sells a range of materials including carbon, aramid (Kevlar™ or Twaron™) and glass fibre. If good hygiene practices are followed the health risk from using these materials is low.
There are various factors to take into consideration:
> Carbon fibre is electrically conductive and free-floating fibre in the air can be drawn into electrical equipment, which has the potential to cause short circuits.
> All of the fibres can be an irritant to the lungs, skin and eyes and suitable protection should be worn when using and particularly when cutting these materials.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND SENSITISATION
Susceptibility to allergic and sensitisation reactions will vary from person to person. Also, allergic dermatitis may not appear until after several days or weeks of contact. However, once sensitisation has occurred, exposure of the skin to even very small amounts of the material may cause erythema (redness) and edema (swelling) at the site.
Thus, all skin contact with any epoxy resins or curing agent should be avoided. It has been observed that allergic reactions can also be triggered by inhalation.