Is Plastic Glue Poisonous?
According to the United States Geological Survey, glues that adhere to plastic use the chemicals Toluene and/or Trichloroethylene (TCE) as a solvent base. While occasional exposure in a well-ventilated area is safe, Each of these chemicals is poisonous, and prolonged exposure to or direct inhalation of either of these chemicals is harmful.
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Routine Exposure
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The level of exposure to potentially toxic chemicals in plastic glue depends on how, and for how long, you use the glue. Glue is more poisonous when used indoors because the lack of air circulation leads to a higher concentration of chemicals in the air. Exposure levels are generally safe when you use plastic glue for a short period of time in a well-ventilated area.
Deliberate Exposure
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Direct inhalation (e.g. sniffing or "huffing") of plastic glue results in exposure to dangerous levels of Toluene and Trichloroethylene.
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Toluene Toxicity
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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Toluene can cause damage to the central nervous system and has been proven to cause birth defects in pregnant women who are plastic glue abusers. People have died after eating plastic glue containing Toluene.
Trichloroethylene Toxicity
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According to the California Department of Health Services, Trichloroethylene causes increasingly serious damage to the central nervous system. Short-term exposure can cause headaches and dizziness, while long-term exposure leads to facial paralysis and impairs liver and kidney functions. Trichloroethylene has been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Testing
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Toulene can be detected in the blood or urine during the 12 hours after exposure to assess for toxicity levels. Trichloroethylene, on the other hand, remains in the body for up to three weeks.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit glue bottle image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
