Methacrylates and Human Health

Skin Sensitization

Methacrylate esters (MMA, EMA, nBMA and iBMA) can cause skin sensitization (contact allergic dermatitis), sometimes referred to as skin allergy in humans. In addition, methacrylate esters have been shown to cross-react with other methacrylates esters so it is possible that one ester may cause the allergy and a different ester cause the skin response (rash) to occur. A person with skin sensitization caused by a methacrylate ester will not necessarily react to an acrylate esters and visa versa. MMA is the most commonly used methacrylate ester so there is more information on this chemical than on any of the other methacrylate esters. All short chain methacrylate esters can be regarded as weak skin sensitizers requiring contact with concentrated liquid monomer or frequent and/or prolonged contact to cause skin allergy. Because of this MPA recommends that skin contact with liquid monomer is always avoided — wear protective gloves. For a statemente regarding the use of methacrylates in nail extensions, click here.

Click here for a technical summary.

Asthma

Asthma is a common medical condition that causes narrowing of the small airways in the lungs which results in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, chest tightness and increased mucous (phlegm) production in the lungs and can in some cases be disabling, or even life-threatening. Asthma can be "Allergic" based (also called respiratory sensitization) and caused by airborne pollens, molds, animal dander, house dust mites etc. and "Non-Allergic" based and caused by a host of other factors including anxiety, stress, exercise, cold air, dry air, airborne particles (e.g., coal, chalk dust), air pollutant (e.g., tobacco smoke, wood smoke), strong odors or sprays (e.g., perfumes, household cleaners, cooking fumes, paints or varnishes), viral infection (e.g., colds, viral pneumonia, sinusitis, nasal polyps), stress, cold air etc. Some chemicals are recognized as causing allergic asthma, particularly in the workplace, examples include isocyanates, glutaraldehyde, wood dusts and soldering fumes. Exposure to irritant fumes and vapors (e.g. chlorine, cleaning agents or cigarette smoke) may make your existing asthma worse.

The term "asthmagen" is sometimes used to describe substances that cause the development of asthma-like symptoms in people. Several international agencies have looked at the available information and concluded that MMA does not cause the development of asthma. MMA can cause irritation of the skin, eyes and respiratory system and breathing high levels of MMA vapor, like many other irritant chemicals, may provoke an asthma attack in a person that suffers from asthma.

Click here for a technical summary.

Reproductive and Developmental Effects

Reproduction and development is the complex process by which we reproduce and develop into the next generation of individuals. All aspects of the process from fertility, through pregnancy, birth, early development and adolescence are included in these terms.

Studies on short chain alkyl-methacrylate esters (MMA, EMA, nBMA, iBMA and 2-EHMA) have not provided evidence that they selectively harm reproduction or cause birth defects. Reviews by government agencies have not identified any of these materials as reproductive or developmental toxins.

Click here for a technical summary.

Carcinogenicity

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the common element of unrestrained or abnormal growth of cells. Each year cancer is one of the leading causes of death in countries around the world.

The causes of cancer are poorly understood but are widely regarded to arise from both heritable (susceptibility within our individual genetic makeup) and environmental (exposure to substances naturally occurring or man-made in food, water, air) causes. For example, fair skinned individuals may be more susceptible to skin cancer caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. Some chemicals in the environment can damage the genetic makeup of our cells (genotoxicity) and are recognized as carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer). For example, cigarette smoke contains many chemicals that damage genetic material and cause cancer in experimental animals. Cigarette smoking has been characterized by the Surgeon General as a major cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Short chain alkyl-methacrylate esters do not cause genetic damage or cancer in animals. Studies in workers exposed to MMA for more than 30 years indicate that there is not an increased risk of cancer due to occupational exposure to MMA.

Click here for a technical summary.

Genotoxicity

The genetic material (genes, DNA) of an organism contains the codes that determine their inherited characteristics (sex, color, size, etc.) and that regulate the functions necessary for life. Groups of genes are organized into chromosomes in the cells. When cells replicate it is critical that their genetic materials (genes and chromosomes) remain the same. Some chemicals have been shown to interact with genetic material, and cause genes to malfunction. This could result in the development of diseases such as cancer, or, if the damaged genes are in the eggs or sperm, could cause birth defects in future generations. The term genotoxicity is used to describe interactions that result in changes (mutations) in the genetic material of a cell.

There are three major genotoxicity end points associated with human disease. These include small changes in the genetic code (gene mutations), larger deletions or rearrangements in the structure of chromosomes (chromosomal aberrations or clastogenic effects), and changes in the number of chromosomes (aneuploidy) in a cell. Safety assessments of substances include a combination of tests to assess whether a substance has the potential of the material to cause genotoxicity or not.

Methacryllic acid (MAA) and the methacrylate esters (MMA, EMA, nBMA, iBMA and 2-EHMA) have been tested in a series of well validated studies using bacteria, mammalian cells in culture, and laboratory animals to assess their potential to cause damage to genes or chromosomes. The overall results of this battery of tests indicate that methacrylic acid and the methacrylate esters are not genotoxic and are not a cause for concern with regard to carcinogenic potential or for causing birth defects.

Click here for a technical summary.