MPA Recent Developments

Health Review on Asthma

The health effects of MMA are well understood. MMA liquid is recognized as being irritating to the eyes and is a weak skin-sensitizer that may cause skin allergy (allergic contact dermatitis) following skin contact. High concentrations of the vapor are also irritating to the respiratory system. As irritant vapors (cold air, smoke etc.) may worsen the symptoms in individuals that have sensitive airways, such as asthmatics it is not surprising that there has been much debate and confusion about whether or not MMA exposure can also cause respiratory sensitization (occupational asthma).

MPA asked an independent, eminent occupational physician, Jonathan Borak, MD, DABT (Departments of Epidemiology and Public Health and Medicine, Yale University) to critically review all the available information on the topic. Dr. Borak’s review is published in the peer-review journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology. Dr. Borak’s review concludes that the "weight of evidence" supports the conclusion that "MMA is not a respiratory sensitizer". (See section on Asthma.)

REACH

REACH is the European Union (EU) regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on 1st June 2007 with the objective to protect human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.

The Methacrylates REACH Task Force, comprised of MPA’s member companies along with other manufacturers in the EU and Japan, successfully completed the registration of the lower methacrylates (MAA, MMA, EMA, nBMA, iBMA and 2-EHMA) as a group of related esters (or category) in October 2010, before the December 1st deadline for high production volume chemicals (>1000 tpa). The registrations included the conduct of several studies to meet data requirements for compounds in the highest tonnage band, a comprehensive hazard assessment for each compound, as well as an assessment of safe handling conditions for identified uses of each compound.

For further information contact Ms E Hunt, Methacrylates REACH Task Force Administrator.