Health Effects:

During surfboard production there are three main processes when hazardous pollutants will be emitted. First, when making the foam blank, second, when shaping the blank and third when coating the blank with an epoxy.  

The production of polyurethane foam blanks involves diisocyanate. Because isocyanates are so reactive, they are extremely harmful to skin and other live tissues. Toxic through touch and inhalation, isocyanates are particularly harmful to the mucus membranes of the eyes and respiratory tracts and have been proven to cause asthma. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), though more volatile than the other widely used methylene diisocyanate (MDI), is the most often utilized isocyanate in polyurethane manufacturing because it is relatively inexpensive and easier to cut and shape once molded. In its liquid form, dermal contact with TDI makes the skin swell and redden. It will cause extreme irritation and make the eyes water if it comes in contact with them. Isocyanate vapor, even at low concentrations, will also make the eyes burn and throb with pain. Inhaling TDI can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and breathing problems. Too much of it may lead to a burning sensation in the throat causing deep fits of coughing and choking. Workers can become sensitized to isocyanates by repeated exposure over long periods of time, decreasing their lung capacity and increasing their likelihood of becoming asthmatic. At least four people have been reported as dying from inhalation of TDI.  

Polystyrene blanks are also hazardous to one’s health during production, but to a lesser extent than polyurethane. Acute exposure causes mucous membrane irritation, eye irritation and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure results in negative effects on the central nervous system like headaches, fatigue, weakness, depression, CNS dysfunction and hearing loss. Oral exposure has been proven to cause CNS, liver, kidney, eye, and nasal irritation. Several studies are linking styrene exposure to increased risks of leukemia and lymphoma, though evidence is often inconclusive due to multiple chemical exposures.   

When shaping the polyurethane blanks and during the final sanding, shavings and other particles are released into the air. These can cause respiratory and nasal irritation and problems in the lungs.  

The epoxy coating that seals the board and creates a smooth finish is another source of pollutants. Epoxy resin is most dangerous inhaled or swallowed but can also cause harm if it comes in contact with skin before the resin is cured. The main effects of long-term exposure to epoxy resin are asthma, skin allergies, and irritation of the eyes, throat, nose and skin. The vapors and mist given off by sprayed epoxy can cause respiration problems; numerous cases of asthma developing from the epoxy curing agent have been recorded. Skin allergies can take mere days to form with symptoms including redness, swelling, flaking and itching in the area of contact. When the skin becomes sensitized, it can become inflamed, blistered and extremely itchy from even brief contact with the resin. If the resin is inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the solvent can affect your brain in ways similar to alcohol causing dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, headache, confusion, and loss of consciousness. 

Bisphenol A is a chemical used in the production of epoxy resins and is thought to be an endocrine disruptor. It can block hormonal action, alter the chemical messages sent by hormones, inhibit the production of hormones and hormone receptors and act as imposters of naturally occurring hormones. Bisphenol A has been shown to cause changes in hormone levels, menstrual cycle irregularities, delays in reproductive development and act as an endocrine disruptor for breast cancer cells. 

Epichlorohydrin, another chemical given off in the production of epoxy resins has copious amounts of health hazards. Short-term inhalation exposure has caused irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Nausea, vomiting, cough, labored breathing, lung inflammation, pulmonary edema and renal lesions were observed on humans after high levels of exposure. Contact with the skin can cause irritation and burns. Chronic occupational exposure of humans to airborne epichlorohydrin has been proven to cause high levels of respiratory tract illness and hematological effects. Long-term inhalation exposure causes pulmonary effects including extreme lung congestion, pneumonia in animals and inflammation and degerative changes in the nasal epithelia. Myocardial changes and damage to the central nervous system was also seen in chronically exposed rats. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified epicholorhydrin as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen. Also increased tumor concentration was observed in the nasal cavity and the forestomach when epicholorhydrin was inhaled and consumed orally, respectively.