As people pay increasing attention to living healthily, the "invisible safety issues" in construction materials are gaining more public awareness. Sealant, as an indispensable part of home decoration, has sparked growing discussions regarding its performance, eco-friendliness, and durability.
“Nowadays, home renovations emphasize being green – do we really need eco-friendly sealants too?”
“With kids and pets at home, what kind of sealant should I choose for peace of mind?”
Today, Siway starts from the source of your concerns to help you understand what exactly to fear when choosing sealants and how to choose wisely and live worry-free.
When buying sealants, you may have heard: “Just ventilate for a few days and the smell will go away” or “Once it dries, it’s harmless”… Are these claims reliable? What hidden risks might they overlook? To answer these questions, we must first face the following critical issues:
__01 Warning: Butanone Oxime Has Been Classified as Carcinogenic!__
Butanone oxime, released during the curing process of oxime-based sealants, has long been flagged by multiple authoritative international studies and regulations:
1.Carcinogenicity confirmed: EU animal experiments proved increased incidence of liver and thyroid tumors in rats exposed to butanone oxime.
2.Irritation and sensitization established: Multiple toxicological studies confirmed butanone oxime causes skin irritation and allergies, and eye irritation.
3.Hepatotoxicity cannot be ignored: Animal studies found that long-term exposure to butanone oxime leads to changes in the weight and enzyme activity of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, indicating hepatotoxicity.
Based on these factors, the EU officially listed butanone oxime in the CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic) substances inventory in December 2021. Currently, oxime-based sealants can no longer be produced or used in the EU.
__02 Low Concentration ≠ Zero Risk__
When searching for solutions online, have you encountered statements like: “After renovating your new home, ventilate it for a few days. Move in only once the smell is gone”?
While ventilation effectively reduces indoor butanone oxime concentration, it does not eliminate its impact.
For example, formaldehyde has an odor, but at low concentrations, it’s hard to detect and may even be masked by other smells. Similarly, low concentrations of butanone oxime have no noticeable odor but still pose potential health risks.
True, we encounter many substances daily with slight toxicity. But this doesn’t mean we should underestimate the cumulative risk of long-term exposure.
Many harmful substances can accumulate in the body. Just like “Just one cigarette a day isn’t good either” or “Heavy metals aren't about short-term intake but long-term accumulation”… Low concentration does not mean zero risk. For vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and pregnant women, the health risks posed by butanone oxime are even more severe.
Moreover, not all homes have ideal ventilation conditions: Some renovate in winter or rainy seasons; some family members cannot open windows due to health reasons; or poor ventilation due to apartment layout…
To avoid exposing your family to a carcinogen-filled environment long-term, Baiyun Technology (Siway) recommends choosing safer alcohol-based sealants.
__03 Cured ≠ VOC-Free__
At this point, you might ask: “If I wait a few more days after ventilation, until the sealant is fully dry, is it safe then?” But the reality is far more complicated.
International studies show that many silicone sealants take up to a year for their properties to stabilize. This means even after an oxime-based sealant has cured into an elastic solid in the short term, internal reactions continue, releasing the carcinogen butanone oxime over time.
__04 Butanone Oxime’s Impact Goes Beyond End Users__
Furthermore, those affected by butanone oxime aren’t just the end users.
Sealant users are often construction workers applying the sealant, operators or managers at door/window factories, or technicians on renovation sites. They are repeatedly exposed to curing sealants daily, facing much higher exposure concentrations than ordinary residents. Out of concern for the health of these workers, we strongly advise against using oxime-based sealants.
Going further, the harmful molecules released by oxime-based sealants eventually enter the atmosphere, causing air pollution. Long-term, this affects urban air quality and the ecological environment, ultimately impacting human health.
__05 Choose Alcohol-Based Sealant: Eliminate "Toxicity Anxiety"__
To better protect users' health, Siway is committed to advancing the development of alcohol-based sealant products:
1.Zero butanone oxime release, eliminating "toxicity anxiety" at the source;
2.Superior eco-performance, meeting international standards like EU REACH;
3.Aligns with the "Quality Housing" and green building trends, ensuring a worry-free quality life.
Every renovation is a long-term investment in space, aesthetics, and health. Though sealant is just a small detail, it accompanies us day in and day out.
So, why not choose the more reassuring alcohol-based sealant from the start? It’s care for your family and a commitment to your quality of life.
Siway will continue striving for higher standards and more eco-friendly products, building healthier and more comfortable healthy homes for every user.
Post time: Jun-13-2025