Ethyl Methacrylate
What is it?
Ethyl methacrylate is methacrylate monomer used to manufacture plastics.
What is a monomer? A monomer is a starting material or single unit from which a polymer is built. It refers to the repeat units that make up the polymer chains. Example: Ethylene is the monomer for polyethylene, and styrene for polystyrene.
How can I avoid it?
Avoidance of ethyl methacrylate is necessary to prevent recurrent allergic contact dermatitis. Cross-sensitization occurs among acrylates, which makes switching from one acrylate to another often unsuccessful in avoiding allergic contact dermatitis.
It is optimal to completely avoid exposure to the ingredients to which you are allergic. If you must be exposed to this acrylate (for example because of your job), you may try to wear nitrile gloves and change them every 10 minutes. Acrylates pass through nitrile gloves if they are worn for longer periods of time. Other gloves such as rubber latex gloves are less desirable since acrylates pass through them quickly.
Uses:
- Cosmetics
- Artificial nails
- Nail extenders
- Dental
- Dentures
- Fillings
- Coatings
- Medical
- Adhesive tape
- Contact lenses
- Hearing aids
- Artificial joint
- Industrial
- Adhesives
- Printing plates
- 3D printing (stereolithography and digital light processing)
- Inks
- Paints
- Coatings for glass, rubber, leather, and textiles
Other names for ethyl methacrylate:
- Acrylate monomer
- Ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenoate
- Acrylate plastic
- 2-Methyl-2-propanoic acid, ethyl ester
- Acrylate resin
- 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-1-propene
- Acrylate acid ethyl ester
- EMA
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Other acrylic monomers and polymers
MC4999-136/10-2025
