GPS Safety Summary

Methacrylic acid (MAA)

The Product Safety Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the
chemical substance in the context of ICCA Global Product Strategy. The
information on the summary is basic information and is not intended to
provide emergency response, medical or treatment information.
Substance name
Methacrylic acid (MAA)
CAS 79-41-4
General statement
Undiluted or glacial methacrylic acid [MAA] is produced for use as a building
block to make a wide range of polymer-based products that we see and use
every day like binders in paints and coatings but also water-soluble
polymers, as an interlevant in glass and, as an intermediate for the
manufacture of methacrylic acid esters to name but a few. MAA is of low
concern to human health and the environment. It is classified as hazardous
(irritating to corrosive upon contact depending upon the concentration) but
has been handled safely by industry and professionals for over 60 years.
MAA-based polymers are inert in the environment and can be recycled back
to monomeric MAA.

Chemical identity
Name

Methacrylic acid (MAA)

Brand names

Visiomer GMAA

Chemical name (IUPAC)

2-Methyl-propenoic acid

CAS number

79-41-4

Molecular formula

C4H6O2

Structure
Synonyms

Acrylic acid, 2-methyl

Evonik Industries
Industries AG | GPS Safety Summary | June 2013 | Version 3 | page 1/6

Uses and application

MAA is produced for the use as monomer for production of polymers and as
a reactant for synthesis of other methacrylate esters. The substance is
manufactured in industrial settings in closed systems and used by industry
for manufacture of polymers in closed and semi-closed systems.
Downstream use of MAA is almost exclusively in the form of polymer.
Consumer exposure is unlikely.

Physical/chemical
Physical/chemical propert
properties
Property

Value

Physical state

liquid

Color

colorless

Odor

pungent

Molecular weight

86.1 g / mol

Water solubility

98 g/l (20 C)

Density

1.01 g/cm3 (20 C)

Vapor pressure

0.97 hPa (20 C)

Melting / boiling point

-15.5 C / 162 C

Flashpoint

67 C at 1013 hPa

Octanol-water partition

log Pow: 0.93

coefficient
Viscosity

1.38 mPa s (20 C)

Health effects
Effect Assessment

Result

Acute toxicity (oral, dermal

MAA causes severe adverse effects at

and inhalation)

the site of application, depending on

the concentration and frequency or time
of exposure. Undiluted MAA may have
moderate to high toxicity after oral,
dermal and inhalation exposure.

Eye / Skin irritation

Causes irritation/corrosion to the skin,

eyes and respiratory system.

Sensitization

Not sensitizing by skin contact. Does

not cause asthma. Click here for a
technical summary.

Toxicity after repeated

By inhalation MAA causes damage to

exposure

mucous membranes of the nose - most

pronounced around the site of first
contact. Other effects in the body are
non-specific.

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Industries AG | GPS Safety Summary | June 2013 | Version 3 | page 2/6

Mutagenicity

Not mutagenic. Click here for a

technical summary.
No evidence of carcinogenicity. Click
here for a technical summary.

Carcinogenicity

Not expected to be carcinogenic.

Toxicity for reproduction

Does not selectively harm reproduction

or cause birth defects. Click here for a
technical summary.

Environmental effects
Effect Assessment

Result

Aquatic toxicity (acute/short-

Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms

term)

on an acute basis.

Fate and Behavior

Result

Biodegradation

Readily biodegradable

Bioaccumulation potential

Not bioaccumulative

PBT / vPvB conclusion

Not considered to be either Persistent,

or Bioaccumulative nor very Persistent
or very Bioaccumulative (vPvB).

Impact

Unlikely to persist in, or have significant

impact on the environment. Click here
for a technical summary.

Exposure
Human health
MAA is produced in essentially closed systems so significant worker
exposure during manufacture is unlikely. Workers may come into contact
with MAA during polymer production.
Consumer exposure to liquid monomer is unlikely due to the extremely low
levels of residual monomer in polymers used in consumer products (MAA is
used as monomer in polymerization). Use of MAA in artificial nail products
and other non-medical/dental applications involving direct skin/nail contact
with the liquid monomer is not recommended.

Environment
The manufacture is a closed and automated process and no exposure to the
environment are intended. Any exposures will generally be lower than
concern levels. Any waste containing residual MAA has to be disposed in
accordance with local, state and federal laws.

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Industries AG | GPS Safety Summary | June 2013 | Version 3 | page 3/6

Risk management recommendations

Industry use, production and formulation
Exposure may occur either in a glacial methacrylic acid manufacturing facility
or in the various industrial or manufacturing facilities that use this material.
Workers should follow the recommended safety measures as provided by the
manufacturer in the Safety Data Sheet. Considering MAA skin
irritating/corrosion as well as respiratory tract irritation properties risk
management measures typically will include avoiding skin contact or the
wearing of suitable protective gloves and avoiding inhalation of high
concentrations of vapor by use of one or more of the following: engineering
controls, good general ventilation or personal protective (respiratory)
equipment, depending upon the particular use conditions. Releases to air
and water during manufacturing processes and use would rapidly disappear
by environmental degradation processes.
Consumer
Consumer use of products containing MAA-based polymers does not require
any risk management measures relating to the MAA residues in those
polymers. Use of MAA in artificial nail products and other nonmedical/dental applications involving direct skin/nail contact with the liquid
monomer is not recommended.

State agency review

UN-GHS Ver. 4 (2011)

Regulatory information/classification and labell
labelling

GHSGHS-Classification
Statutory basis

Methacrylic acid (MAA)

UN-GHS Ver. 4 (2011)

Flammable liquid

Hazard category 4*

Acute toxicity (oral)

Hazard category 4

Acute toxicity (inhalation)

Hazard category 4

Acute toxicity (dermal)

Hazard category 3

Irritation/corrosion with
specific concentration limits:
Concentration (%) 10.0

Skin Corr. 1A*

Concentration (%) 3.0

Skin Irrit. 2

< 10.0

Eye Damage 1

Concentration (%) 1.0 <

Skin Irrit. 2

3.0

Eye Irrit. 2A

Specific target organ toxicity

STOT Single Exp. 3 (respiratory tract,

single exposure

irritation)

Hazardous to the aquatic

Hazard category 3*

environment Acute Hazard

* No worldwide use of this category. Not used in the European Union.

Evonik Industries
Industries AG | GPS Safety Summary | June 2013 | Version 3 | page 4/6

GHSGHS-Labell
Labelling
Statutory basis

Methacrylic acid (MAA)

UN-GHS Ver. 4 (2011)

Symbol(s)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statement

H227 - Combustible liquid

H302 - Harmful if swallowed
H311 - Toxic in contact with skin.
H332 - Harmful if inhaled.
H314 - Causes severe skin burns and
eye damage.
H335 - May cause respiratory irritation.
H402 - Harmful to aquatic life

Precautionary statements:

Precaution statements and more

information about MAA can be found on
the Safety Data Sheet.

Prevention

Avoid breathing
dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
Contaminated work clothing must not
be allowed out of the workplace.
Wear protective gloves.

Response

If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.

If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get
medical advice/attention.
Wash contaminated clothing before
reuse.

Disposal

Dispose of contents/container in
accordance with local regulation.

Evonik Industries
Industries AG | GPS Safety Summary | June 2013 | Version 3 | page 5/6

Glossary
Acute toxicity

harmful effects after a single exposure

Biodegradable

breakdown of materials by a physiological environment

Bioaccumulation

accumulation of substances in the environment

Carcinogenicity

effects causing cancer

Chronic toxicity

harmful effects after repeated exposures

GHS

Global Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling

Mutagenicity

effects that change genes

PBT

Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic

Reprotoxicity

teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects on fertility

Sensitizing

allergenic

Teratogenic

effects on foetal morphology

vPvB

very Persistent very Bioaccumulative

Contact information within company

Email address EU cmda@evonik.com
Email address USA product.regulatory.services@evonik.com
For more product safety summaries, please visit:
Methacrylates Producers Association

This GPS Safety Summary is based on Evoniks present knowledge and experience as of the date of
issue. However, it implies no liability or other legal responsibility on the part of Evonik, including
with regards to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent rights. In no event
shall Evonik be responsible for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or
reliance upon the information herein or the chemical to which that information refers. In particular,
no warranty, whether express or implied, or guarantee in the legal sense is intended or implied by
Evonik.
This GPS Safety Summary is only intended to provide general information about the chemical
referred to herein but not any in-depth health and safety information. The information in this GPS
Safety Summary is supplied on the condition that the persons receiving the same will make their
own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use. This GPS Safety Summary
does not supersede or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents.
Performance of the chemical described herein should be verified by testing which should be carried
out only by qualified experts.
Evonik reserves the right to make any changes to this GPS Safety Summary in accordance with
technological progress or further developments. Reference to trade names used by other
companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply, that similar products could not be used.

June 2013