title: Methyl methacrylate and respiratory sensitization: a critical review.
abstract: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a respiratory irritant and dermal sensitizer that has been associated with occupational asthma in a small number of case reports. Those reports have raised concern that it might be a respiratory sensitizer. To better understand that possibility, we reviewed the in silico, in chemico, in vitro, and in vivo toxicology literature, and also epidemiologic and occupational medicine reports related to the respiratory effects of MMA. Numerous in silico and in chemico studies indicate that MMA is unlikely to be a respiratory sensitizer. The few in vitro studies suggest that MMA has generally weak effects. In vivo studies have documented contact skin sensitization, nonspecific cytotoxicity, and weakly positive responses on local lymph node assay; guinea pig and mouse inhalation sensitization tests have not been performed. Cohort and cross-sectional worker studies reported irritation of eyes, nose, and upper respiratory tract associated with short-term peaks exposures, but little evidence for respiratory sensitization or asthma. Nineteen case reports described asthma, laryngitis, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis in MMA-exposed workers; however, exposures were either not well described or involved mixtures containing more reactive respiratory sensitizers and irritants. The weight of evidence, both experimental and observational, argues that MMA is not a respiratory sensitizer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA. jonathan.borak@yale.edu
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borak
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Larry S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pemberton
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007509:Irritants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D007509:Irritants; D008768:Methylmethacrylates