Plexiglass vs Acrylic

[Eric Ucci]

I just got off the phone with a rep from a laser manufacturer. She claimed that plexiglass is extremely toxic, while acrylic is ok to cut. I have always understood that plexiglass is simply a brand name of acrylic.
When I research the topic online I get equal numbers of sources that say they are different as say they are the same.
Not a big deal, since i can just buy acrylic and apparently not worry.

Do I really have to worry about Plexiglass?

[Conrad Fiore]

http://www.plexiglas.com/acrylicsheet/acrylicsheetfamily/

[Martin Boekers]

You may want to verse her on Plexiglas, send her the link Conrad posted. You want to stay away from Cloride family (PVC etc)
as that does create a Clorine gas which inn't too nice. Lexans and polycarbonites don't do too well with the laser. Not sure if they are dangerous
but don't engrave or cut well.

[Chuck Stone]

Looks like all Plexiglas is acrylic, but not all acrylics are Plexiglas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(methyl_methacrylate)
SHe may have been thinking of polycarbonate, which contains BPA