Abstract

Following the diagnosis of two cases of occupational asthma among dental technicians, an industrial hygiene survey was conducted in two dental laboratories to determine time-weighted average and peak concentrations of methyl methacrylate vapor and time-weighted average concentration of acrylic dust. The time- weighted average concentrations of methyl methacrylate vapor were 0.7 ppm and 1.6 ppm and average peak concentrations were 9.3 ppm and 9.7 ppm for the first and second laboratory, respectively. The use of a local exhaust ventilation system was significant in reducing the peak concentration of methyl methacrylate vapor in the breathing zone of dental technicians. However, the local exhaust ventilation was not efficient in reducing the concentration of airborne acrylic dusts. Occupational exposure of dental technicians to dental materials, in particular to methyl methacrylate, requires further investigation. Local exhaust ventilation systems can reduce the concentration of methyl methacrylate in the dental laboratories to a significant extent if installed and used properly

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Comments

I have been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and I have had exercised induced asthma. I am a denture technician and I am trying to find out if working with the Methyl methacrylate is what cause my asthma to worsen. Do you have any articles or ideas where I can look? My cardio doctor feels it is tied in with my asthma.

2/16/2016

Acrylates in dental fillers and bone cement are well described causes of asthma at work, and is seen in dental technicians, dentists, and operating theatre staff, as well as those in 'upstream' processes such as manufacturing prostheses. Please check out the acrylates page on this site... https://www.occupationalasthma.com/occupational_asthma_causative_agent.aspx?id=275

2/17/2016