title: Risk Assessment of residual monomer migrating from acrylic polymers and causing Allergic Contact Dermatitis during normal handling and use.
abstract: Acrylic, Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) based polymers are found in many industrial, professional and consumer products and are of low toxicity, but do contain very low levels of residual monomers and process chemicals that can leach out during handling and use. Methyl Methacrylate, the principle monomer is of low toxicity, but is a recognized weak skin sensitizer. The risk of induction of contact allergy in consumers was determined using a method based upon the Exposure-based Quantitative Risk Assessment approach developed for fragrance ingredients. The No Expected Sensitization Induction Level (NESIL) was based on the threshold to induction of sensitization (EC3) in the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) since no Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT) data were available. Categorical estimation of Consumer Exposure Level was substituted with a worst case assumption based upon the quantitative determination of MMA monomer migration into simulants. Application of default and Chemical-Specific Adjustment Factors results in a Risk Characterization Ratio (RCR) of 10,000 and a high Margin of Safety for induction of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) in consumers handling polymers under conservative exposure conditions. Although there are no data available to derive a RCR for elicitation of ACD it is likely to be lower than that for induction.
authors.affiliation: Systox Ltd, Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK. Electronic address: markpemberton@systox.com.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pemberton
authors.affiliation: CFCS-Consult GmbH, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lohmann
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D023441:Local Lymph Node Assay; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010328:Patch Tests / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Acrylic polymer; Allergic Contact Dermatitis; Consumer exposure; Methyl Methacrylate; Migration; PMMA; Residual monomer; Risk Assessment; Skin sensitization