Around for almost half a century, glue sticks have infiltrated almost every classroom and business. While the combined mixture of ingredients to produce the glue sticks are classified as nontoxic, there are new products labeled as "acid free" to lesson any harmful side effects.

History

Glue sticks were invented in 1969 by a German company called Henkel. It was a new way of having glue that you could twist up like a lipstick, and use to stick items together. It came out under the name Pritt Stick.

Characteristics

Like all adhesives, glue sticks were invented to adhere two surfaces together. The glue stick itself is a portable shape and sticky solid ready to be used when the cap is off. It is cleaner than liquid glues because if you knock it over, there will never be any spilling.

Ingredients

While the secrets of the ingredients that each manufacturer uses can be classified information, 3M during their health testing of the product has labeled certain ingredients that include: Water, Acrylic Polymer, Sodium Stearate (salt and acidic combination), Polyethylene Glycol, 1-Vinl-2-Pyrrolidinone, N-Vinylpyrrolidinone Polymer, 1,1,3,3--Tetramethylbutyl, Polyoxyethylene mnooctoylphenyl ether and 2-Aminoisobutanol. Many of these ingredients are fairly safe and act as thickeners, smoothing texture and binders, and are found artificially.

Considerations

Glue sticks are nontoxic. They can give minor irritation to the skin or to the eyes if there is contact. Adverse effects are not typically expected if one ingests the product, although it is not advised.

Features

A variety of colors is available for glue sticks. These can come in blue or purple and sometimes with glitter, which can be fun for kids to play with.

Source:

Pritt World: Pritt History

3M report