National Toxicology Program

Selected toxicity information from HSDB, one of the National Library of Medicine's databases. ¹

Names (NTP)

• Methyl methacrylate
• 2-METHYL-2-PROPENOIC ACID METHYL ESTER (9CI)

Human Toxicity Excerpts

• ... VAPOR IS ... /CNS DEPRESSANT/. [International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983., p. 54]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... /IRRITATES/ THE ALIMENTARY CANAL WHEN INGESTED ORALLY. ... CAUSE KIDNEY AND LIVER LESIONS. [Lefaux, R. Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., 1968., p. 324]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... Small amounts of methyl methacrylate vapor found in casting plants was found to induce functional abnormalities in the nervous system of plant workers. In another series of experiments, exposure to methacrylate glue in the placement of bone prostheses was also found to induce severe hypotension and in some cases cause death. The studies did not determine, however, whether the adverse reactions were the result of the methacrylate or bone marrow embolism. [National Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1977., p. 746]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• TESTS WERE MADE ON SKIN OF 50 VOLUNTEERS, WHO DEVELOPED SLIGHT ERYTHEMA AFTER 48 HR, WHILE TESTS CARRIED OUT 10 DAYS LATER SHOWED THAT SOME HAD BECOME SENSITIVE TO MONOMER. [Lefaux, R. Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., 1968., p. 159]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• TOTAL PLASMA CONCN OF LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE & ISOENZYMES 3, 4, & 5 WERE ELEVATED 3 HR AFTER INSERTION OF SECOND ARTIFICIAL HIP USING METHYL METHACRYLATE CEMENT. RESULTS INDICATED THAT LUNG DAMAGE OCCURRED. [SAINT-MAURICE C ET AL, ANN ANESTHESIOL FR 18 (7-8): 647-54 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• EFFECT OF METHYLMETHACRYLATE ON CHEMOTAXIS OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES EVALUATED BY IN VITRO METHOD. CHEMOTACTIC FACTORS REMAINED CHEMOTACTICALLY ACTIVE AT CONCN OF 1.25%. WHEN ADDED TO SERUM PRIOR TO ZYMOSAN ACTIVATION CONCN ABOVE 0.312% ABOLISHED CHEMOTACTIC ACTIVITY. [PETTY W; J BONE JT SURG, AM 60A (4): 492-8 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• METHYL METHACRYLATE VAPOR IS ACUTE IRRITANT CAUSING EYE & MUCOUS MEMBRANE IRRITATION AT CONCN OF 125 PPM. AT HIGHER CONCN, DEATH FROM PULMONARY EDEMA OCCURRED. IT HAS BEEN LINKED TO CARDIAC ARREST & OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS RESULTING FROM ITS HYPOTENSIVE PROPERTIES. [PATTERSON RM ET AL, US NTIS, PB REP PB-258361 28 PAGES (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ONE REPORT ON 152 WORKERS EXPOSED TO 2-200 MG/CU M ... METHYL METHACRYLATE STATES THAT 119 COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES, 45 NOTED PAIN IN EXTREMITIES, 32 SHOWED EXCESSIVE FATIGUE, 32 HAD SLEEP DISTURBANCE, 30 HAD LOSS OF MEMORY, & 25 SHOWED IRRITABILITY. [IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work)., p. V19 194 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• IT IS MILD IRRITANT TO RESP MUCOUS MEMBRANES, & GIVES RISE TO SOME DERMATOSES ... . [Lefaux, R. Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., 1968., p. 88]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Inhalation of vapor at concn of 150 mg/cu m is said to produce central nervous effects in humans. ... Both the monomer and the polymerizing catalyst, benzoyl peroxide, may cause contact dermatitis. Such cases have been reported among dental technicians who make dentures from the resins and among surgeons who use methyl methacrylate as orthopedic cement. The skin and oral mucosa of some denture wearers have become sensitized. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. II-411]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Neurotoxic effect: Asthenia; autonomic dystonia; encephalopathy [O'Donoghue, J.L. (ed.). Neurotoxicity of Industrial and Commercial Chemicals. Volume I. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985., p. 118]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• IN 45 PATIENTS UNDERGOING HIP REPLACEMENT, EFFECT OF METHYL METHACRYLATE CEMENT ON SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE WAS INFLUENCED BY STATE OF BLOOD PRESSURE BEFORE IMPLANTATION & CHANGES IN CONCN OF HALOTHANE IN ANESTHETIC GASES. A DANGEROUS FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE WAS AVOIDED BY USING NEUROLEPTANALGESIA. [FEARN B ET AL; ACTA ORTHOP SCAND 43 (5): 318-24 (1972)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• A case of systemic sensitivity reaction to bone cement (97% methyl methacrylate monomer) in a female operating room nurse was reported. The subject reported two previous episodes of nausea, sore throat and chest congestion with exposure to bone cement. Upon third exposure the subject reacted within minutes of mixing of the cement with headache and lethargy. She was noted to have diffuse erythroderma, a blood pressure of 180/100 and respiratory rate of 26. These eased after she was given subcutaneous epinephrine and her symptoms completely resolved after three days. Air samples taken on another day showed methyl methacrylate (MMA) concentrations of 0.4 ppm to 1.5 ppm. [Scolnick B, Collins J; J Occup Med 28 (3): 196-8 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Methylmethacrylate resin powder may cause interstitial pneumonitis with vacuolated alveolar macrophages observed in BAL fluid. [Rom, W.N. (ed.). Environmental and Occupational Medicine. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 1992., p. 481]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Allergic contact dermatitis from methyl methacrylates in artificial nails has caused painful paronychia, nail dystrophy, onycholysis, paresthesia of the finger tips, and dermatitis of the eyelids and face. [Marks, J.G. Jr., DeLeo V.A., Contact and Occupational Dermatology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book 1992., p. 142]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• From 1987 to 1989 the North American Contact Dermatitis Group found 18 of 228 patients (1.3%) to be allergic to methyl methacrylate and 15 of 228 patients (1.1%) to be allergic to ethyl methacrylate. [Marks, J.G. Jr., DeLeo V.A., Contact and Occupational Dermatology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book 1992., p. 142]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Between 3 to 5% of methylmethacrylate is unreacted monomer, posing an occupational hazard among dental technicians who experience feelings of numbness, coldness, and pain in the dominantly exposed hand. Sensory conduction velocities in finger nerves are slowed in conjunction with the numbness. Urine output of methylmethacrylate in such dental technicians reflects a percutaneous absorption. [Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997., p. 1668]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• An operating room nurse developed a sensitivity reaction to the odor of orthopedic cement characterized by hypertension, dyspnea, and generalized erythroderma. She recovered. Methylmethacrylate air concentrations were 0.4 ppm, 1.0 ppm, and 1.5 ppm monitored over 15-minute periods. Operating room personnel are exposed for about 30 min for each orthopedic procedure. ... Increased complaints of respiratory, cutaneous, and genitourinary problems have been observed in workers exposed to methylmethacrylate at concentrations of 4-49 ppm over an 8 hr time-weighted average. [Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997., p. 1667]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• FIVE WORKERS IN CONTACT WITH CHLOROPRENE (2-2.2 MG/CU M; 0.56-0.61 PPM) & METHYL METHACRYLATE (0.5-2 MG/CU M; 0.1-0.5 PPM) WERE FOUND TO HAVE STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT INCR IN CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS IN THEIR LYMPHOCYTES. [IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work)., p. V19 195 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  

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Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts

• IN CHRONIC STUDIES, RATS & DOGS WERE GIVEN DRINKING WATER CONTAINING 16, 60, & 2,000 PPM & 10, 100, & 1,000 PPM METHYL METHACRYLATE, RESPECTIVELY, FOR 2 YR. NO CLINICAL, LAB OR PATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF TOXICITY WAS OBSERVED ... . [National Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1977., p. 746]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... SC IMPLANTS OF FRESHLY POLYMERIZED METHYL METHACRYLATE FOR UP TO 39 MO INCR INCIDENCE OF LOCAL FIBROSARCOMA COMPARED TO GLASS IMPLANT CONTROL IN RATS. IN ANOTHER STUDY ... SC IMPLANTS OF POLYMERIZED METHYL METHACRYLATE INDUCED LOCAL FIBROSARCOMAS IN MICE. DOSES OF 0.13-0.44 ML/KG METHYL METHACRYLATE INJECTED INTO PREGNANT RATS ON DAY 5, 10 & 15 OF GESTATION WERE FOUND TO AFFECT ABSORPTIONS, FETAL SURVIVAL & FETAL SIZE @ ALL DOSES. HEMANGIOMAS WERE ALSO OBSERVED IN SOME FETUSES FROM HIGHEST DOSE GROUP. NO SKELETAL ABNORMALITIES OBSERVED AT ANY DOSE. [National Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1977., p. 746]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• MONOMERIC FORM IS REPORTEDLY LETHAL @ ORAL DOSES FROM 6 TO 9 G/KG IN LAB ANIMALS. POISONED ANIMALS EXHIBIT RESP DEPRESSION, AND COMA; ALSO IRRITATION OF SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. II-411]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• INSERTION OF 3 DROPS OF THIS MONOMER IN EYE OF RABBIT PRODUCES IMMEDIATE IRRITATION ACCOMPANIED BY INFLAMMATION AND SUBSEQUENT EDEMA, WHICH CLEARS UP IN 3 DAYS. TOXICITY OF METHYL METHACRYLATE WHEN INHALED & WHEN ADMIN SC & IP HAS ... BEEN STUDIED. ... KIDNEY AND LIVER LESIONS RESEMBLING THOSE CAUSED BY CARBON TETRACHLORIDE /WERE FOUND/. LIVER INJURY WAS ALSO FOUND, BUT SOMETIMES IT APPEARED TO BE REVERSIBLE, AND HEALED SUBSEQUENTLY. ... /IN OTHER STUDIES IT WAS/ FOUND THAT WHEN ANIMALS ARE MADE TO BREATHE TOXIC AMT OF THE VAPOR OF THE MONOMER THERE IS GREAT EXHAUSTION, DYSPNEA, AND DIMINUTION OF THE REFLEXES, THE ANIMALS FINDING INCR DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING, & FINALLY DYING THROUGH RESP FAILURE. [Lefaux, R. Practical Toxicology of Plastics. Cleveland: CRC Press Inc., 1968., p. 89]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... SINGLE 8-HR EXPOSURES TO ... CONCN OF 4400 PPM WERE FATAL TO RATS & RABBITS, BUT NOT GUINEA PIGS. ... EXPOSURES OF 10,000 to 11,000 PPM FOR ONE-HALF HR TO 3 HR DAILY FOR 15 DAYS CAUSED DEATHS AMONG MICE AND DOGS, BUT GUINEA PIGS SURVIVED. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 1029]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• TREATMENT OF RATS WITH METHYL METHACRYLATE CAUSED DECR IN HEPATIC BETA-GLUCURONIDASE LEVELS WITHIN 24 HR. SERUM ENZYMIC ACTIVITY GRADUALLY INCR UPON TREATMENT. [CONSTANTINESCU S; REV ROUM EMBRYOL CYTOL, SER CYTOL 9 (1): 97-103 (1972)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• MONOMERIC METHYL METHACRYLATE VAPOR IN AIR WAS DELIVERED INTO THE BREATHING AIR OF DOGS. 2000 PPM RESULTED IN TRANSIENT DROP IN ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE & MARKED INHIBITION OF ONGOING GI MOTOR ACTIVITIES. [TANSY MF ET AL; J PHARM SCI 66 (5): 613-9 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• EXPOSURE OF RATS TO 116 PPM METHYL METHACRYLATE VAPOR FOR 8 HR/DAY FOR 3-6 MO DECR SC FAT DEPOSITS, BODY, LUNG & SPLEEN WT, AFFECTED INTESTINAL TRANSIT PERFORMANCE, & ALTERED BLOOD CHEMISTRY. [TANSY MF ET AL, ENVIRON RES 11 (1): 66-77 (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• THE CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER IV INJECTIONS WERE STUDIED IN DOGS. IV 0.1 ML/KG RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT VARIATIONS IN CARDIAC OUTPUT (+20%), PULMONARY PRESSURE (+30%) & DIASTOLIC SYSTEMIC PRESSURE (-25%) IN DOGS. [D'HOLLANDER AA ET AL, ACTA ANAESTHESIOL BELG, 27, SUPPL, 75-9 (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• PREGNANT MICE WERE EXPOSED TO 1330 PPM METHYL METHACRYLATE FOR 2 HR TWICE DAILY DURING 6TH-15TH DAY OF PREGNANCY. SLIGHT INCR IN WT OF FETUS WAS OBSERVED BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TERATOLOGICAL EFFECTS. [MCLAUGHLIN RE ET AL, J BONE JT SURG AM 60 (3): 355-8 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• GROUPS OF 25 MALE & 25 FEMALE WISTAR RATS WERE ADMIN 0, 6, 60 OR 2000 MG/L (PPM) METHYL METHACRYLATE IN THEIR DRINKING-WATER FOR 2 YR; NO TREATMENT-RELATED TUMORS WERE FOUND. /WORKING GROUP NOTED THAT INSUFFICIENT DETAILS ON SURVIVAL & PATHOLOGICAL EXAM WERE GIVEN/. [IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work)., p. V19 192 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• TEN WISTAR RATS WERE PAINTED ON THE BACK OF THE NECK WITH METHYL METHACRYLATE 3 TIMES A WK FOR 4 MO & THEN KEPT FOR LIFESPAN. NO LOCAL TUMORS WERE OBSERVED (THE WORKING GROUP NOTED THAT THE STUDY WAS INADEQUATE DUE TO THE INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF ANIMALS AT RISK & THE SHORT DURATION OF TREATMENT). [IARC. Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Man. Geneva: World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 1972-PRESENT. (Multivolume work)., p. V19 193 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ISOLATED GUINEA PIG ILEUM WAS EXPOSED TO 755 PPM METHYL METHACRYLATE. SPONTANEOUS MOTOR ACTIVITIES & CONTRACTILE RESPONSES TO ELECTRICAL FIELD STIMULATION DECR. PERSISTENCE OF THIS INHIBITORY RESPONSE INDICATES THAT EFFECT IS PARTLY DUE TO DIRECT ACTION UPON CONTRACTILE MECHANISM OF INTESTINE. [MARTIN JS ET AL; DRUG CHEM TOXICOL 4 (3): 207-18 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• INHALATION EXPOSURES CAUSED A DEPRESSION OF MULTIPLE-UNIT ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY IN LATERAL HYPOTHALAMUS & VENTRAL HIPPOCAMPUS OF MATURE MALE RATS WHICH WERE EXPOSED TO 400 PPM OF METHYL METHACRYLATE IN AIR FOR 60 MINUTES. [INNES DL, TANSY MF; NEUROTOXICOLOGY (PARK FOREST SOUTH, ILL) 2 (3): 515-22 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• THE TOXICITY OF 6 ACRYLATES AND 6 METHACRYLATES, INCLUDING METHYL METHACRYLATE, WAS DETERMINED IN RATS AND FISH. ALL THE ESTERS WERE LESS TOXIC THAN ACRYLAMIDE AND ACRYLONITRILE. METHACRYLATES WERE APPROXIMATELY 5-FOLD LESS TOXIC THAN ACRYLATES. FOR A GIVEN SERIES, TOXICITY DECREASED WITH INCREASING LENGTH OF THE CARBON CHAIN. [PAULET G, VIDAL M; ARCH MAL PROF MED TRAC SECUR SOC 36 (1-2): 58-60 (1975)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• METHACRYLATE ESTER MONOMER AND METHACRYLIC ACID DECR THE HEART RATE AND FORCE OF CONTRACTION OF THE ISOLATED, PERFUSED RABBIT HEART WHEN ADDED TO THE PERFUSING LIQUID AT CONCN OF 1:1000, 1:10,000 OR 1:100,000 (VOL/VOL), AND MOST OF THE CMPD DECR THE CORONARY FLOW RATE. METHACRYLIC ACID, METHYL METHACRYLATE, ETHYL METHACRYLATE, AND DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE PRODUCED AN IRREVERSIBLE EFFECT ON THE ISOLATED HEART AT ALL 3 CONCN, WHILE 1,3-BUTYLENE DIMETHACRYLATE, 2-ETHYLHEXYL METHACRYLATE, ISODECYL METHACRYLATE, AND LAURYL METHACRYLATE PRODUCED ONLY A REVERSIBLE EFFECT AT ALL 3 CONCN. [MIR GM ET AL; J PHARM SCI 62 (5): 778-82 (1973)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• METHACRYLIC ACID ADMIN IV INCR RESPIRATORY RATE, DECR HEART RATE, & PRODUCED ELECTROCARDIOGRAM CHANGES IN ANESTHETIZED DOGS. METHACRYLIC ACID, METHYL, N-PROPYL, N-BUTYL, ISOBUTYL, AND HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATES PRODUCED A BIPHASIC RESPONSE, AN ABRUPT FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE FOLLOWED BY A SECONDARY RISE. 2-ETHYLHEXYL, ISODECYL, LAURYL, AND TERT-BUTYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATES PRODUCED ONLY A HYPOTENSIVE EFFECT. DIMETHYLAMINOETHYLMETHACRYLATE PRODUCED ONLY A HYPERTENSIVE EFFECT. [MIR GM ET AL; J PHARM SCI 63 (3): 376-81 (1974)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• TWENTY-ONE DIFFERENT ACRYLATE & METHACRYLATE COMPOUNDS, INCLUDING METHYL METHACRYLATE, WERE SCANNED FOR THEIR ABILITY TO INDUCE CONTACT SENSITIVITY, USING 5 DIFFERENT SENSITIZATION PROTOCOLS. CONTACT REACTIONS OF VARYING INTENSITIES WERE PRODUCED TO ALL THE MONO-, DI-, AND TRIACRYLATES TESTED. METHACRYLATES DID NOT SENSITIZE GUINEA PIGS. [PARKER D, TURK JL; CONTACT DERMATITIS 9 (1): 55-60 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• MONOMERIC METHYL METHACRYLATE @ CONCN APPROX 10 MMOL DECR AMPLITUDE OF ACTION POTENTIAL OF DESHEATHED AMPHIBIAN SCIATIC NERVE & PRODUCED HYPERPOLARIZATION OF RESTING POTENTIAL. THE ETHYL, ALLYL, AND BUTYL ESTERS WERE MORE ACTIVE THAN METHYL METHACRYLATE. ISOBUTYL METHACRYLATE WAS LESS ACTIVE, AND SODIUM METHACRYLATE HAD NO EFFECT. SODIUM AND POTASSIUM CURRENTS ACROSS THE NERVE MEMBRANE AT THE NODE OF RANVIER WERE DECR BY METHYL METHACRYLATE. [BOEHLING HG ET AL; ARCH TOXICOL 38 (3): 307-14 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... EMBRYOFETAL TOXICITY & TERATOGENIC EFFECTS OF A GROUP OF METHACRYLIC ESTERS IN RATS /WERE STUDIED/. THE ESTERS STUDIED INCLUDED METHYL METHACRYLATE, ETHYL METHACRYLATE, BUTYL METHACRYLATE, ISOBUTYL METHACRYLATE, AND ISODECYL METHACRYLATE. ESTERS WERE ADMIN @ 1/10, 1/5 & 1/3 LD50 DOSE ON 5TH, 10TH, 15TH DAYS OF GESTATION. ... EACH ESTER PRODUCED SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EFFECTS: RESORPTIONS, GROSS & SKELETAL MALFORMATIONS, FETAL DEATH OR DECREASED SIZE. SINCE THE CHEMICAL WAS ADMIN IP, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TOXIC EFFECTS WERE DUE DIRECTLY TO THE CHEMICAL'S PASSING INTO THE EMBRYO, RATHER THAN THROUGH SYSTEMIC ABSORPTION. [Doull, J., C.D. Klaassen, and M. D. Amdur (eds.). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980., p. 547]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• GUINEA PIGS COULD BE STRONGLY SENSITIZED TO METHYL, ETHYL, AND N-BUTYL METHACRYLATES IN ETHANOL OR OLIVE OIL BY TOPICAL ROUTE, OR IN SALINE BY INTRADERMAL ROUTE. [CHUNG CW, GILES AL JR; J INVEST DERMATOL 68 (4): 187-90 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... SIX TYPES OF METHACRYLATE ESTERS /WERE ADMIN/ TO PREGNANT RATS ON DAYS 5, 10 AND 15 OF GESTATION IN DOSES UP TO ONE-THIRD THE ACUTE INTRAPERITONEAL LD50. THE MAXIMUM DOSES USED WERE 0.44, 0.40, 0.78, 0.46 AND 0.82 ML/KG FOR THE METHYL, ETHYL, N-BUTYL, ISOBUTYL, ISODECYL METHACRYLATE RESPECTIVELY. HEMANGIOMAS WERE INCR AT THE HIGHEST DOSES AS WERE RESORPTIONS. THE FETAL WT WAS REDUCED BY TREATMENT. ACRYLIC ACID WAS INJECTED IN VOL OF UP TO 0.0075 ML/KG AND THIS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH RESORPTIONS AND HEMANGIOMAS. FETAL MORTALITY AND AN INCIDENCE OF UP TO 16% MALFORMATIONS WERE REPORTED ... . [Shepard, T.H. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986., p. 369]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• ... Under the conditions of these 2 yr inhalation studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenicity of methyl methacrylate for male F344/N rats exposed at 500 or l,000 ppm, for female F344/N rats exposed at 250 or 500 ppm, or for male and female B6C3Fl mice exposed at 500 or 1,000 ppm. ... [Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies of Methyl Methacrylate in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). Technical Report Series No. 314 (1986) NIH Publication No. 87-2570 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• In a 3-month study with mice and rats, the animals were exposed to methyl methacrylate via inhalation at 4 concentrations ranging from 500 ppm (2080 mg/cu m) to 3000 ppm (12,480 mg/cu m). In female and male rats 2000 ppm and 3000 ppm, respectively, caused inflammation in the nasal cavity and necrosis of the olfactory epithelium. The mice showed metaplastic changes of the nasal epithelium even at the lowest level of 500 ppm. Apart from the local airway injuries, there were rather few observations concerning systemic toxicity: female rats showed dose-related malacia and gliosis of the brain at and above 1000 ppm; at 2000 ppm and higher concentrations, male mice showed a dose-related increase in renal cortical necrosis and tubular degeneration. [Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 1994, p. 757]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• In an inhalation carcinogenicity study, B6C3F1 mice (both sexes) and F344/N male rats were exposed to methyl methacrylate vapor at 500 or 1000 ppm (2080 or 4160 mg/cu m), 6 hr/day, 5 days/wk for 103 weeks. Female F344/N rats were exposed to 250 or 500 ppm of methyl methacrylate. The exposures did not affect the longevity of the animals, and the occurrence of tumors was not exposure related in mice or rats of either sex. In high dose female rats, mononuclear cell leukemias occurred at a higher incidence but without statistical significance. Methyl methacrylate exposures caused inflammation of the nasal cavity and degeneration of the olfactory epithelium in all groups of mice and rats, including the lowest level of 250 ppm. [Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 1994, p. 759]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• When a rhesus monkey was exposed to methyl methacrylate for 22 hr, the animal died from acute pulmonary edema; centrilobular necrosis was recorded at autopsy. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 1029]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Rats and mice inhaled 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 5000 ppm methyl methacrylate for 6 hr/day, 5 days/wk for 14 wk. Concentration-dependent mortality was recorded; all rats exposed at 5000 ppm died, and cerebellar congestion and hemorrhage into the cerebellar pedoncles, malacia, and gliosis were found in early and late deaths, respectively. There was a dose-dependent increase in olfactory epithelial necrosis and sloughing; metaplasia and inflammation in the nasal turbinates occurred in the mice. Renal cortical necrosis, tubular degeneration with focal mineralization and hepatic necrosis were seen in the male mice. No deaths occurred in groups of rats or mice that inhaled 500 or 1000 ppm methyl methacrylate, but body weights were reduced. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 1029]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Methyl methacrylate has been applied externally on rabbit eye and caused irritation requiring several days of recovery. [Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986., p. 625]**PEER REVIEWED**
  

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Human Toxicity Values

• None found

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Non-Human Toxicity Values

• LD50 Rat oral 9400 mg/kg. [USEPA. Preliminary Assess of Suspected Carcin in Drinking Water Report to Congress (1975)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Rat oral 7800 mg/kg [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 1029]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Rabbit oral 6000 mg/kg [American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 1029]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LC50 Rat inhalation 3750 ppm/8hr [Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 861]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 MOUSE ORAL 5.5 ML/KG [SCHWACH GW, HOFER H; BER OESTERR STUDIENGES ATOMENERG; ISS SGAE BER NUMBER 3004: 15 PAGES (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Rat ip 1328 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Rat sc 7500 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LC50 Mouse ihl 18,500 mg/cu m/2 hr [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Mouse ip 1000 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Mouse sc 6300 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• LD50 Dog sc 4500 mg/kg [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 2260]**PEER REVIEWED**
  

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Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

• SPEED WITH WHICH METHYL METHACRYALTE MONOMER APPEARS IN EXPIRED GASES IN ANIMALS & RATIO BETWEEN QUANTITY EXPIRED & QUANTITY ADMIN IN CASE OF IV INJECTION WERE STUDIED. [DERKS LM, D'HOLLANDER AA; J SURG RES 22 (1): 9-15 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Up to 88% of a single dose of methyl (14)C-methacrylate in rats was expired as (14)C-carbon dioxide in 10 days (65% in 2 hr), irrespective of the route of admin and of the specific labeling of the propylene residue of the molecule. [The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals. Volume 5: A Review of the Literature Published during 1976 and 1977. London: The Chemical Society, 1979., p. 209]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• Intravenous or oral administration of 5.7 mg/kg of methyl (14C) methacrylate to rats resulted in excretion of 65% of the dose in the expired air in 2 hr and 84% to 88% in 10 days. Approximately 5% of the dose was retained in the body, and the remaining part was excreted in the urine and feces. It was found that the pattern of excretion was similar when a relatively large dose of methyl methacrylate (120 mg/kg) was given orally to rats. [Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 1994, p. 757]**PEER REVIEWED**
  

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Metabolism/Metabolites

• Methyl methacrylate is metabolized in rat liver slices via the citric acid cycle. It undergoes hydroxylation to a primary alcohol followed by oxidation to an aldehyde; finally the compound is deformylated to pyruvic acid. [National Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1977., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• UP TO 88% OF SINGLE DOSE OF METHYL(14)C-METHACRYLATE IN RATS IS EXPIRED AS (14)C-CARBON DIOXIDE IN 10 DAYS (65% IN 2 HR). IMPLICATIONS ARE THAT THE METABOLIC PATHWAY CONCERNED INVOLVES INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM & RELATES TO MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION. [BRATT H, HATHWAY DE; BR J CANCER 36 (1): 114-9 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• AFTER ADMIN OF METHYL METHACRYLATE TO RATS, URINARY MERCAPTURIC ACID WAS ISOLATED AND IDENTIFIED AS THE DICARBOXYLIC ACID N-ACETYL-S-(2-CARBOXYPROPYL)CYSTEINE, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT AS THE MONOMETHYL ESTER. [DELBRESSINE LP C ET AL; XENOBIOTICA 11 (4): 241-8 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  
• METHYL METHACRYLATE, THE MONOMER COMPONENT OF POLY(METHYL METHACRYLATE) CEMENT USED IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, UNDERWENT HYDROLYSIS TO METHACRYLIC ACID DURING HIP REPLACEMENT OPERATIONS. CIRCULATING LEVELS OF METHACRYLIC ACID WERE COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF METHYL METHACRYLATE, THE CONCENTRATIONS BEING 0-15 UG/CC. [CROUT DH G; CLIN ORTHOP RELAT RES 141: 90-5 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**
  

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TSCA Test Submissions

• Chronic toxicity and oncogenicity were evaluated in male and female Fischer 344 rats (70/sex/group) exposed via inhalation to methyl methacrylate at 0, 25, 100 or 400 ppm for 6 hrs/day, 5 days/week for 2 years. An exposure related mild rhinitis of the nasal mucosa lining of the turbinates was diagnosed by 1 of 3 pathologists who examined the slides of the tissues. No other significant differences were noted in clinical signs, mortality, body weights, clinical chemistries, hemograms, and gross and microscopic pathology, including type or number of tumors. The mean body weight of females at 400 ppm were slightly lower than controls (by 5-8% after 1 year).[Rohm and Haas Company; Toxicology of Methyl Methacrylate - Sponsor's Communication Document. (1980), EPA Document No. FYI-AX-0380-0063, Fiche No. 0063-0 ]**UNREVIEWED**
  
• Chronic toxicity and oncogenicity were evaluated in male and female Fischer 344 rats (number of animals not reported) exposed via inhalation to methyl methacrylate at 0, 25, 100 or 400 ppm for 6 hrs/day, 5 days/week for 2 years. No significant differences between treated animals and controls were noted in clinical signs, body weights, clinical chemistries, hemograms, and gross and microscopic pathology, including type or number of tumors. At 400 ppm, the body weights of both sexes were consistently lower than controls and the cumulative mortality at week 78 was substantially higher as compared to controls.[Rohm and Haas Company; Toxicology of Methyl Methacrylate - Sponsor's Communication Document. (1980), EPA Document No. FYI-AX-0380-0063, Fiche No. 0063-0 ]**UNREVIEWED**
  
• The ability of methyl methacrylate to induce specific locus mutations at the TK locus in cultured L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells (Mouse Lymphoma Mutagenicity Assay) was evaluated in the presence and absence of Aroclor-induced rat liver S-9 metabolic activation. Based on preliminary toxicity tests, nonactivated cultures tested at concentrations up to 100nl/ml were highly toxic without inducing significant increases in the mutant frequency. S-9 activated cultures tested at concentrations ranging from 100 to 200nl/ml induced moderate to high toxicity and dose dependant increases in the mutant frequency.[Litton Bionetics Inc.; Mutagenicity Evaluation of Methyl Methacrylate in the Mouse Lymphoma Forward Mutation Assay, Final Report, (1985), EPA Document No. FYI-OTS-0785-0367, Fiche No. OTS0000367-1 ]**UNREVIEWED**
  

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Footnotes

¹ Source: the National Library of Medicine's Hazardous Substance Database, 10/28/2007.