Cross-reaction patterns in guinea pigs sensitized to acrylic monomers.

The cross-reaction patterns of selected acrylate and methacrylate esters were investigated using the guinea pig maximization test. Methacrylates were less potent sensitizers than acrylates. Cross-sensitization was found between (meth)acrylates with closely related core structures, most extensively between hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl congeners. The importance of considering not only the functional group but also the core structure when assessing potential interactions was emphasized as butanedioldiglycidylether, hexamethylenediisocyanate and hexanedioldiacrylate--all with linear 6-atom cores and different functional group--cross-reacted.