What you need to know about caulk
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The bottom line
There are various kinds of caulking compounds on the market, each geared to a specific kind of project. Most caulks are made up of acrylic, latex, silicone, or a combination of all three. In general, caulk is only a mild irritant.
Prevention tips
Keep caulking compounds away from children and pets.
Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use when working with caulk.
Use caulking products in a well-ventilated area.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling caulking compounds.
This really happened
A man came to an emergency department (ED) and reported that he had been working with caulk earlier that day and had gotten some on his hands. He hadn't washed his hands well afterward, and when he put his contact lenses in, he developed some eye irritation. Both eyes were red, and his eyelids were a bit swollen. He also had some pain when he opened his eyes. A nurse in the ED called their poison center for treatment recommendations. The poison center investigated the product and determined that the caulk could cause scratches on the surface of the eye due to its gritty texture.
Fortunately, the eye exam performed in the ED did not show any scratches or other eye injuries. It did, however, show substantial inflammation and irritation. The man was discharged home with an antibiotic ointment to apply to his eyes for several days.
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What is caulk?
"Caulk" or "caulking" can refer to the product itself or the process of using it. Caulk was first used in wooden shipbuilding to fill the space between planks of wood to make the vessel watertight. Often, this caulk was a mixture of tar and fibers such as hemp (oakum).
Today, caulk is the chalky or rubbery sealant used for closing off and sealing gaps and cracks around bathtubs, sinks, windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical wiring. Caulk is indispensable in preventing water damage to these structures and lowering a home’s energy costs by keeping cold or hot air out.
What is caulk made of?
Most caulks are made up of acrylic, latex, silicone, or a combination of all three. Caulk products commonly include petroleum distillate solvents to keep them fluid enough for application. These solvents then evaporate as the product cures. The solvents contribute to the odor and irritability of caulk products.
There are various kinds of caulking compounds on the market, and each is geared to the specific kind of project. For example, one kind of caulk is appropriate for concrete, brick, or metal surfaces while another kind is better on glass or ceramic tile. Some are more resistant to moisture or temperature extremes than others.
Is caulk toxic?
In general, caulk is only a mild irritant. The odor can be irritating. Whether you inhale caulk fumes, get caulk in your eyes, on your hands, or a little in your mouth, serious adverse effects are not expected.
What to do if you have an adverse reaction to caulk
If you get caulk in your eyes, flush gently with room-temperature water for at least 15 minutes. If you get caulk on your skin, rinse with water immediately.
Get expert help
If someone swallows caulk, gets caulk in the eyes or on the skin, or if you have a question about using caulk safely, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
What happens if you swallow caulk?
If caulk has already cured and a person swallows a piece of it, it could pose a choking hazard depending on the size of the piece and might also cause mild stomach upset. Small amounts of swallowed caulk should pass all the way through the digestive tract without causing any problems.
Are PCBs in caulk still a concern?
Historically, exposure to caulk was associated with potential poisoning because caulking compounds, as well as many other construction materials such as adhesives, paints, and sealants, used to contain chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
PCBs are synthetic chemicals, and once in the environment, they do not break down easily and can remain for very long periods of time. PCBs were banned in the US in 1979 due to evidence of their adverse effects on humans, animals, and the environment.
Even though PCBs have been banned in the US, they are still prevalent throughout the world. There continues to be concern that caulking compounds and other construction materials in older buildings such as schools could still be prominent sources of PCB exposure.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has set regulatory requirements for the maximum amount of PCBs allowed in indoor air and has provided guidelines for school administrators and building owners on how to best manage and limit sources of PCBs. These include ventilation, removal of the source when possible, covering the PCB-containing materials with a film or sealant, physical barriers to separate areas with PCB material from other areas of a building, and safe disposal of PCB-containing materials.
The degree of adverse health effects posed by old PCB-containing building materials is not well known, but it is generally considered to be low-level. Sources of PCBs today include old fluorescent lighting fixtures and electrical devices such as TVs and refrigerators made more than 30 years ago, fish caught in contaminated lakes or rivers, and contaminated air or water near hazardous waste sites.