Ethyl Methacrylate
What Is It?
Ethyl Methacrylate is a colorless, liquid substance. It is used as an ingredient in artificial nail products.
Why Is It Used?
Ethyl Methacrylate is used as an artificial nail builderIngredients that are used in nail enhancement products to build or lengthen the nail. in artificial fingernail enhancement products.
Scientific Facts
Ethyl Methacrylate is an olefinic acid ester.
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits polymers of Ethyl Methacrylate to be used as indirect food additives for use in food contact surfaces. The safety of Ethyl Methacrylate has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewThe Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 as an independent safety review program for cosmetic ingredients. The CIR Expert Panel consists of independent experts in dermatology, toxicology, pharmacolgy and veterinary medicine. The CIR includes participation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel reviewed the scientific data and concluded that Ethyl Methacrylate was safe for use in the formulation of artificial nail products when accompanied by directions to avoid skin contact because of the possibility of an allergic reaction to Ethyl Methacrylate.
CIR Safety Review: Ethyl Methacrylate was a skin irritant and sensitizer. Positive evidence of mutagenicity was observed in a lymphoma cellThe basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; cells may exist as independent units of life or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals. assay, but not in two tests in bacteria. Case reports cite examples of individuals suffering allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to Ethyl Methacrylate and related methacrylates, and some degree of cross-reactivity appears to exist between widely used acrylates and methacrylates. Information from several clinical registries of sensitization reactions to various agents reported that Ethyl Methacrylate is a potential sensitizer, but not a potent one. Because Ethyl Methacrylate monomerA molecule that comprises the repeating unit of a polymer. is short-lived in the normal course of using artificial fingernail-enhancement products, the primary hazard is expected to be inadvertent skin contact. In order to avoid sensitization, it is necessary to avoid skin contact. Based on the available data on the formulation of nail enhancement products containing this ingredient, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Ethyl Methacrylate was safe as used, when application is accompanied by directions to avoid skin contact.
FDA Code of Federal Regulations for polymers of Ethyl Methacrylate
Ethyl Methacrylate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.
In Canada, products containing Ethyl Methacrylate must be labeled “Avoid skin contact.”
More Scientific Information
Other technical names for Ethyl Methacrylate include Ethyl 2-Methyl-2-Propenoate, 2-Methyl-2-Propenoic Acid, Ethyl EsterAn organic compound formed by the reaction of an acid with an alcohol. and 2-Propenoic Acid, 2-Methyl-, Ethyl Ester.