International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
METHYL METHACRYLATE AND POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE
VOL.: 19 (1979) (p. 187)
Methyl methacrylate
CAS No.: 80-62-6
Chem. Abstr. Name: 2-Methy1-2-propenoic acid methyl ester
Polymethyl methacrylate
CAS No.: 9011-14-7
Chem. Abstr. Name: 2-Methyl-2-propenoic acid methyl ester homopolymer
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Experimental data
Methyl methacrylate was tested by oral administration and by skin
application in rats. These studies were considered inadequate by the
Working Group for an evaluation of the carcinogenicity of this
compound. No data on the mutagenicity of methyl methacrylate alone
were available to the Working Group.
Polymethyl methacrylate, when implanted intramuscularly,
subcutaneously or intraperitoneally as discs, produced local sarcomas
in rats. In mice, subcutaneous implantation of polymethyl methacrylate
films also resulted in local sarcomas. Intramuscular implantation of
polymethyl methacrylate in guinea-pigs and implantation into the cheek
pouch in hamsters produced no implantation site tumours.
5.2 Human data
No case reports or epidemiological studies relating to the
carcinogenicity of methyl methacrylate or polymethyl methacrylate were
available to the Working Group. The wide use of both materials,
including major industrial and specialized medical products,
particularly in surface coatings, indicates human exposure. This has
been documented in two studies that relate to the toxicity of these
substances.
5.3 Evaluation
The data available to the Working Group do not permit an evaluation of
the carcinogenicity to humans of methyl methacrylate or polymethyl
methacrylate. However, the results of available animal experiments,
together with evidence both of occupational exposure by inhalation and
of exposure by implantation arising from medical applications,
indicate the need for experimental and epidemiological studies.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 70: Polymethyl methacrylate - Group 3); Vol. 60 (1994) (Methyl methacrylate)
For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation.
Synonyms for Methyl methacrylate
- Methacrylic acid methyl ester
- Methylmethacrylate
- Methyl 2- methylpropenoate
- Methyl 2-methy1-2-propenoate
- MME
- Pegalan
Synonyms for Polymethyl methacrylate
- Acronal S 320 D
- Acrylite
- Acryloid A-15
- Acrypet
- Acrysol ASE
- Akuripetto VH
- Altulor M 70
- A 21LV
- AO 120
- CMW Bone Cement
- Crinothene
- Degalan LP 59/03
- Delpet 50M
- Diakon
- Disapol M
- DV 400
- Elvacite 2008
- K 120 N
- Kallocryl K
- Kallodent 222
- Kaneace PA 20
- Korad
- LPT
- LSO-M
- Lucite
- Lucite 30
- Metaplex NO:
- Methacrylic acid methyl ester polymers
- Methyl methacrylate homopolymer
- Methyl methacrylate polymer
- Methyl methacrylate resin
- MH 101-2
- 50N
- 50N (polymer)
- Organic glass E 2
- Osteobond
- Osteobond Surgical Bone Cement
- Palacos
- Paraglas
- Parapet 60N
- Paraplex P 543
- Perspex
- Plex 8572F
- Plex 8572-F
- Plexiglas
- Plexigum M 920
- PMMA
- Poly(methyl methacrylate)
- Pontalite
- Repairsin
- Resarit 4000
- Rhoplex B 85
- Riston
- Romacryl
- Shinkolite
- SO 95
- SOL
- ST 1
- ST 1 (polymer)
- Stellon pink
- Sumipex B-LG
- Superacryl AE
- Surgical Simplex
- Tensol 7
- Torex G
- Vedril
Last updated: 30 March 1998