EXPOSURE TO ACRYLATES IN PREGNANCY

Acrylates are used in the manufacture of many products, including plastics and paints.  Acrylates (specifically methyl methacrylates) are also used as bone cement in surgical procedures, and in the cosmetic industry as a nail adhesive.  The limited available data on the possible adverse effects of acrylates on human reproductive function or in human pregnancy and lactation are conflicting and confounded.

As with all chemicals, unnecessary exposure to acrylates should be avoided during pregnancy.  Where occupational exposure is unavoidable, precautions should be taken to ensure that exposure is well within the recommended exposure limits and not associated with toxic symptoms.

Following acrylate exposure in a pregnant patient, maternal toxicity is likely to be a major determinant of risk to the fetus.  However, due to a lack of data concerning the teratogenicity of acrylates, it is not currently possible to state that an absence of maternal toxicity excludes the possibility of adverse events occurring in the developing fetus. 

Exposure to acrylates at any stage in pregnancy would not usually be regarded as medical grounds for any additional fetal monitoring.  However, other risk factors may be present in individual cases which may independently increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.  Clinicians are reminded of the importance of consideration of such factors when performing case-specific risk assessments.  Discussion with UKTIS is recommended in all cases.