Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (EGDMA)
What is it?
Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) is an acrylic monomer used primarily in the plastic and dental industries.
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 do I avoid it?
Avoidance requires reading labels, package inserts, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and on occasion, direct communication with the manufacturer.
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:
- Adhesives
- Artificial nails
- Antifreeze and coolants
- Automobile antifreeze and engine-cooling liquids
- Conductive gels for medical use
- Contact lens
- Dental composites (temporary and permanent)
- Fiberglass
- Glaze coatings
- Hydraulic fluids
- Leather finishing
- Moisture barriers in packaging
- Paper processing
- Polyester fibers
- Printing inks
- Prostheses
- PVC resins
- Resins in plastic drink bottles
- Sealants
- Synthetic marble
Other names for ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA):
- EGDMA
- Ethylene dimethacrylate
- Glycol dimethacrylate
- Diglycol dimethacrylate
- 1,2-Ethanediol dimethacrylate
- Ethylene glycol bis(methacrylate)
- Methacrylic acid, ethylene ester
- 1,2-Bis(Methacryloyloxy)ethane
- 2-Methyl-2-Propenoic acid
- 1,2-ethanediyl ester
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Other acrylates
Rev07072025
