title: Toxicity of methyl methacrylate monomer in orbital and cranial surgery.
abstract: Methyl methacrylate (plastic bone cement) can be prepared by mixing a vial of liquid monomer with a powder. The monomer can release a toxic vapor. We measured the exposure of operating room personnel to this toxic substance. We believe that an awareness of the potential toxicity of the monomer is important and that devices to limit its exposure to personnel should be used in operating rooms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wesley
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brinsko
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D001843:Bone Cements; D006801:Humans; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D009915:Orbit / Q000601:surgery*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001843:Bone Cements; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate