Occupational methacrylate and acrylate allergy from glues.

BACKGROUND

Glues and sealants are important causes of methacrylate and acrylate allergy.

AIM

This study aimed to analyse patterns of allergic patch test reactions to acrylic monomers in relation to exposure in patients sensitized from glues.

PATIENTS/METHODS: We screened the patch test files at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health from 1994 to 2006 for allergic reactions in the 'Methacrylate series' and analysed the clinical records of sensitized patients. Only patients who had handled acrylic glues at work were included.

RESULTS

10 patients had allergic reactions to acrylic monomers and had been sensitized from glues at work. 9 of them had used anaerobic sealants, 3 cyanoacrylate-based instant adhesives, and 1 patient a bi-component instant adhesive. All the patients reacted to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA); reactions to 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate were also common. The first 4 methacrylates were found in the glues used by the patients. Ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA) gave no reactions, but 1 patient reacted weakly to her own ECA-based glue.

CONCLUSION

2-HEMA and EGDMA are good screeners for contact allergy to anaerobic sealants and also detected a single case deriving from bi-component acrylic glue.