National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

Methyl methacrylate: Health effects

Description

Acute (short-term) exposure to methyl methacrylate may cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, hypotension, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms may include headache, pain in the extremities, excessive fatigue, sleep disorders, memory loss, and allergic response on contact.

Entering the body

Methyl methacrylate will enter the body if we breathe in contaminated air, or consume food or water that contains methyl methacrylate. It can also pass through the skin. Human exposure occurs mainly by breathing air containing methyl methacrylate.

Exposure

Consumers can be exposed to methyl methacrylate by exposure to air from production and processing facilities using methyl methacrylate. Consumers may also be exposed to methyl methacrylate using consumer products containing methyl methacrylate (paints, floor polish and adhesives) especially if there is not good ventilation.

Health guidelines

Worksafe Australia:
For methyl methacrylate, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 100 parts per million over an eight hour workshift.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist