OCCUPATIONAL ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITIS FROM 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE AND ETHYLENE-GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE IN A MODIFIED ACRYLIC STRUCTURAL ADHESIVE

Acrylates have a broad area of application in various products includi ng glues, sealants and adhesives. Whereas anaerobic acrylic sealants a re well-known sensitizers, acrylate glues that cure in air have only s eldom been reported as allergens. Here a patient sensitized to such a glue, and developing hand dermatitis that spread to the lower arms, ch est, neck and face, is presented. Her glue was analyzed by gas chromat ography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and contained 24.6% 2-hydroxyethyl m ethacrylate (2-HEMA) and 0.4% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). These 2 acrylate compounds, as well as her glue, provoked an allergic patch test reaction. Also many other acrylate compounds, e.g., tetrahy drofurfuryl methacrylate, gave an allergic reaction indicating cross-a llergy. The patient could not continue in her previous workplace becau se of severely relapsing skin symptoms.