Canadian Government Finds Methacrylic Acid and n-butyl methacrylate Pose Low Risks to Human Health and the Environment
In October 2018, Health Canada (HC) and Environmental and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) released the results of their screening assessment of “the acrylates and methacrylates group.”[1] That group comprised six substances, including methacrylic acid (MAA) and n-butyl methacrylate (n-BMA). HC and ECCC concluded that the six substances, including MAA and n-BMA, “are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity or that constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends.”[2] They also concluded these substances “are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.” [3]
The Methacrylate Producers Association (MPA) concurs with these conclusions. MAA and n-BMA are used as building blocks for polymers and are used up in the production of the polymers. The general public would have exposure to very few, if any, products containing MAA or n-BMA themselves, except for very low residual levels in polymers. Thus, a statement that a given final product (e.g., a plastic, coating or lubricant) contains MAA or n-BMA may mean that these monomers are used to produce polymers that in turn are used to make the final product. Readers are urged to evaluate statements about MAA and n-BMA use accordingly.
Regarding the use of liquid, unreacted methacrylate monomers in cosmetics, see MPA’s statement.
[1] Environmental and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada. Screening assessment acrylates and methacrylates group (October 2018), https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/evaluating-existing-substances/screening-assessment-acrylates-methacrylates-group.html.
[2] Id., synopsis.
[3] Id.