Polycarbonate (PC) is a transparent, high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength and impact resistance, making it a common material in products like eyeglass lenses, compact discs, and protective shields. Given its ubiquity, many people question the safety of physical contact with the material. This analysis specifically addresses the safety of touching and handling finished polycarbonate products.
Understanding Polycarbonate’s Chemical Stability
In its final, solid state, polycarbonate exhibits high chemical stability, meaning it is largely inert and does not readily react with human skin. The material is a high molecular weight polymer, which prevents its molecules from being easily absorbed or released through simple contact. Because of this stable structure, casual touching of polycarbonate objects presents practically no chemical risk.
Polycarbonate is resistant to a wide variety of substances, including many organic acids, mineral acids, oils, greases, and neutral detergents. This resistance further supports its safety for dermal exposure, as it does not break down when contacting natural skin oils or minor contaminants. Finished polycarbonate is considered safe for everyday, prolonged handling without causing contact dermatitis or systemic chemical exposure.
Dermal Exposure and the Bisphenol A (BPA) Concern
Public concern often arises because polycarbonate is synthesized using the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), which is an endocrine-disrupting compound. Most regulatory and health worries regarding BPA focus on the risk of ingestion, where trace amounts of the chemical can leach from the plastic, especially when the material is heated or exposed to harsh detergents. This ingestion risk profile is significantly different from that of simple skin contact.
In the solid polycarbonate matrix, the BPA molecules are chemically bound into the long polymer chains. This chemical binding effectively locks the BPA within the material, leaving virtually no free, unbound BPA to be transferred to the skin’s surface during normal handling. While BPA can be absorbed through the skin, the amount that transfers from intact, solid PC is considered negligible and far below levels that would pose a health concern.
Research into dermal exposure often focuses on specific scenarios, such as handling thermal paper receipts, where BPA is present in an unbound, powdered form. This differs significantly from touching solid polycarbonate, which lacks this readily available, unbound form. For casual, non-industrial handling of finished polycarbonate products, the risk of significant BPA absorption through the skin is not considered a realistic health hazard.
Physical Hazards and Handling Damaged Polycarbonate
While the chemical safety of solid polycarbonate is high, physical hazards must be considered when the material is damaged or processed. Like any rigid material, a broken polycarbonate piece can create sharp edges or shards capable of causing cuts and lacerations. Handling damaged items requires the same caution one would use with broken glass or fractured metal.
A different hazard exists during industrial fabrication processes, such as cutting, grinding, or sanding, which generate fine polycarbonate dust. Inhaling this dust can be an irritant to the respiratory system, eyes, and nasal passages. The primary safety measure in these environments is respiratory protection, as the hazard is inhalation, not dermal contact with the solid material. For the general public handling finished goods, the physical risks are limited to avoiding sharp edges on broken pieces.