Dave Kruger wrote: > Matt Broze wrote: > > To my mind by far the biggest benefit of gelcoat is the UV protection and > > long-term itch free environment it provides the user. Speaking of the > > environment, it is clear that gelcoat gives off some styrene fumes before it > > cures and that makes its use in kayak building much more expensive to meet > > government regulations for a spray booth and fans and filters and periodic > > inspections by the EPA. My question is: does polycarbonate give off any > > potentially toxic chemicals in any stage of its manufacture or use. It is my > > understanding that polycarbonates can leach out some chemical that mimics a > > female hormone and that some folks are now warning against its use for water > > containers for that reason. >> > My guess is the leachate from polycarbonate (PC) is probably a phthalate [snip] I was wrong. The estrogenic material in polycarbonate bottles that is under scrutiny is bisphenol A (BPA), a principal ingredient in epoxy resins, also. Here is a summary of current (as of 2001) concerns about BPA: http://www.pdf.co-operative.co.uk/pdfs/hazardous_substances.pdf I suspect the degree of hazard to humans from BPA during PC manufacture is unsettled, as of yet, in contrast to the well-established concerns about styrene from polyester resin manufacture. I suppose no matter how you slice it, there is some hazard from any of these materials: styrene from polyester resins (trad. fiberglass composite boats), BPA from either epoxy/Kevlar boats or polycarbonate boats. Take your pick. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Mon Jun 09 2003 - 07:07:27 PDT
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