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. >> Great post, Matt (much snipped). Re: the last two issues you raised: My guess is the leachate from polycarbonate (PC) is probably a phthalate, similar to the plasticizers in PVC (IIRC) tubing tht some are concerned about in use for IV lines in hospitals, etc. Very much less hazard from incidental contact with a PC boat than from IV PVC lines or water containers, leaving aside whether the estrogenic concern is valid. If I get some time to research manufacture of PC, I'll try to address the other issue. -- 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 Tue Jun 10 2003 - 10:26:23 PDT
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