{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000134","name":"Super glue (cyanoacrylate adhesive)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"adhesives","tags":["super glue","cyanoacrylate","instant adhesive"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Instant adhesive based on ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) or methyl cyanoacrylate. Polymerizes on contact with moisture (including skin moisture) to form a strong bond within seconds. Bonds skin instantly — most common consumer complaint. Cyanoacrylate vapor is a strong eye and respiratory irritant; causes lacrimation (tearing). Exothermic polymerization reaction with cotton, wool, and other natural fibers can generate enough heat to cause burns or ignition. Generally low systemic toxicity — medical-grade cyanoacrylates (2-octyl, n-butyl) are used as surgical tissue adhesives.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"insufficient_data","synthesis_confidence":0,"synthesis_method":"none","context_source":null,"compounds_resolved":0,"compounds_total":0,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"child","overall_risk":"low-moderate","primary_concerns":["Instant skin bonding: fingers, eyelids, lips can bond within seconds","Exothermic reaction with cotton/natural fibers: thermal burns, potential ignition","Eye/respiratory irritation from cyanoacrylate vapor"],"exposure_routes":"dermal (bonding), ocular (vapor/splash), inhalation (vapor)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal","ocular","inhalation"],"contact_types":["skin_bonding","eye_irritation","inhalation"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"occasional","scenarios":["Skin bonding (fingers glued together)","Eye exposure from vapor or splash — eyelids can bond shut","Exothermic reaction with cotton clothing causing burns","Vapor irritation of eyes and respiratory tract in enclosed space"],"notes":"Skin bonding is the most common issue — soak in warm acetone or warm soapy water to debond. Cotton + cyanoacrylate is exothermic and can cause thermal burns or ignition."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Use near cotton clothing or gloves","meaning":"Exothermic reaction can cause burns or fire","action":"Use nitrile or latex gloves — NEVER cotton"}],"green_flags":[],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Gel-formula cyanoacrylate","notes":"Thicker formula with less dripping, reduced accidental skin contact, and easier control"},{"name":"UV-cure adhesive","notes":"Cures only under UV light — allows repositioning; no accidental bonding"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) + FHSA","citation":null,"requirements":"Household products must not present unreasonable risk of injury. Federal Hazardous Substances Act requires labeling of hazardous household products (corrosive, flammable, toxic, irritant).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA Safer Choice / Design for the Environment","citation":null,"requirements":"Voluntary program. Products meeting Safer Choice criteria can display the label. Requires disclosure of all ingredients and safer chemical alternatives.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008","citation":null,"requirements":"Classification, labelling, and packaging of hazardous chemical products. GHS-aligned hazard communication. Signal words, pictograms, and precautionary statements required.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["Bonds skin instantly","Keep away from eyes"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"WARNING","pictograms":["exclamation_mark"],"hazard_statements":["Bonds skin and eyes in seconds","Causes serious eye irritation"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Cure and dispose as regular waste","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-2_years"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid_adhesive","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":null,"name":"Ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA)","role":"adhesive_monomer","concentration_pct":"90-100"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polymethyl methacrylate (thickener)","role":"viscosity_modifier","concentration_pct":"0-5"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Hydroquinone (stabilizer)","role":"polymerization_inhibitor","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[],"identifiers":{"common_names":["super glue","crazy glue","instant glue","cyanoacrylate"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) + FHSA","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_5f50aaf4"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA Safer Choice / Design for the Environment","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_44bbb086"},{"type":"regulation","title":"CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008","jurisdiction":"EU","id":"src_74945c54"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:28:34.955Z"}}