Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate in a modified acrylic structural adhesive.
Acrylates have a broad area of application in various products including glues, sealants and adhesives. Whereas anaerobic acrylic sealants are well-known sensitizers, acrylate glues that cure in air have only seldom been reported as allergens. Here a patient sensitized to such a glue, and developing hand dermatitis that spread to the lower arms, chest, neck and face, is presented. Her glue was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and contained 24.6% 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and 0.4% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). These 2 acrylate compounds, as well as her glue, provoked an allergic patch test reaction. Also many other acrylate compounds, e.g., tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, gave an allergic reaction indicating cross-allergy. The patient could not continue in her previous workplace because of severely relapsing skin symptoms.
Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
L
L
Kanerva
R
R
Jolanki
T
T
Leino
T
T
Estlander
D000269:Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000009:adverse effects; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D012016:Reference Values
D000269:Adhesives; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008689:Methacrylates; D011140:Polyurethanes; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate