Maleic Anhydride
A polyester-resin precursor and aggressive respiratory sensitizer.
Toxic Chemical Databases
Where this family lands across the seven independent toxicology authorities we screen against.
Chemical Type
Reactive Acid Anhydride
Chemical Description
Maleic anhydride is a small, reactive ring molecule that opens up in the presence of moisture to release maleic acid. It's a backbone ingredient in unsaturated polyester resins — the resin in fiberglass-reinforced plastic panels, simulated-stone countertops, and cultured-marble bath fixtures — and it's also used as a modifier in alkyd paints, automotive coatings, and adhesion-promoter additives. Even at low airborne concentrations maleic anhydride dust is a potent respiratory sensitizer: a single high-exposure event can trigger an asthma-like response that returns with every subsequent encounter. EBH avoids maleic-anhydride-based simulated-stone products and prefers unfilled solid surfaces or natural stone for countertops where possible.
Chemical Structure
Molecular schematic for Maleic Anhydride — formula and structural features shown below.
Biological Activity
Severity scores summarize hazard endpoints from IARC, NTP, EPA IRIS, ATSDR, and NIOSH on a 0–10 scale. Mirrors the system-level output of our SDS Toxic Chemical Screener.
Chemical Analogs and Brand Names
- Maleic anhydride — CAS 108-31-6
- Maleic acid — CAS 110-16-7
- C
Top Health Consequences
- Respiratory sensitization and occupational asthma
- Severe eye, skin, and mucous-membrane irritation
- Allergic contact dermatitis from cured-resin dust
- Chronic bronchitis with long-term low-level exposure
Pathways of Exposure
- Inhalation of dust during cutting, drilling, or sanding cultured-marble fixtures
- Off-gassing of residual monomer from new fiberglass-reinforced plastic panels
- Dermal contact during pour-and-cure simulated-stone countertop fabrication
- Background exposure from automotive coatings and printed paper adhesives
Building Materials with Maleic Anhydride
Listed alphabetically. These are the product categories where this chemistry most often shows up — not an exhaustive list.
Alkyd-Modified Paints & Primers
Cultured Marble Fixtures
Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic Panels
Furniture Lacquer Finishes
Polyester-Based Auto Refinish Coatings
Polyester-Bonded Quartz Countertops
Recycled-Plastic Composite Decking
Simulated Stone Vanity Tops
Solid Surfacing Fabrications
Thermosetting Adhesives
Maleic Anhydride and the Houses We Build Without Them
Maleic Anhydride appears in more building products than most homeowners would believe. Our specifications exclude the family outright, which is what lets us promise a genuinely toxin free home instead of a lower-emission one.
Every house we build is designed as a healthy, mold free, all electric Passive House — the chemical screening is one layer of that, not the whole of it. Earth Bound Homes builds in Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo County and across the San Francisco Bay Area.