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Name: Methyl Methacrylate (stabilized)
Chemical Formula: C5H8O2
Synonyms: MMA
Appearance: Colorless, volatile liquid
Odor: Sharp, sweet, acrid smell
Common Uses: Acrylic plastics, resins, adhesives, coatings
Recommended Uses: Often handled in industrial settings with good ventilation due to its strong odor and volatile nature.
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Acute Health Hazards: Causes eye, skin, and respiratory irritation
Chronic Health Hazards: Prolonged or repeated exposure can trigger allergic skin reactions or asthma
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid, category 2; Skin irritation, category 2; Eye irritation, category 2A; Respiratory sensitization, category 1
Warning Symbols: Flame, exclamation mark, health hazard, environment
Main Ingredient: Methyl Methacrylate (usually >99%)
Stabilizer: Includes small amounts of inhibitors like hydroquinone or BHT to prevent polymerization during storage or transport
Impurities: Trace amounts of related esters or monomers sometimes present from manufacturing
CAS Number: 80-62-6
Concentration: Most samples in industry come with at least 99% methyl methacrylate by weight, with inhibitor content usually specified by the supplier.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air right away. Provide oxygen if breathing feels hard or labored. Seek medical attention if symptoms linger.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with slow, gentle flow of water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Keep rinsing and seek medical help if irritation continues.
Skin Contact: Wash off with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. If skin reaction or redness happens, see a doctor.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Do not induce vomiting. Get medical help immediately if swallowed or if feeling sick.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide to put out fires. Water spray can cool containers but may not put out the flames by itself.
Specific Hazards: Vapors can travel far and flash back to a source of ignition. Decomposition produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating fumes.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters rely on self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind. Containers exposed to fire may rupture violently due to pressure buildup.
Personal Precautions: Leave the area if not wearing protective equipment. Avoid breathing vapors—ventilate space thoroughly.
Spill Cleanup: Eliminate ignition sources. Absorb liquid spills with inert material like sand, earth, or vermiculite. Shovel absorbed material into tightly sealed, labeled containers.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spilled material from reaching sewers, water bodies, or soil.
Cleanup Advice: Use non-sparking tools. Wash spill site with plenty of water after cleanup if indoors.
Handling: Work in well-ventilated spaces or with local exhaust. Ground and bond containers to prevent static discharge. Avoid breathing in vapors or getting liquid on your skin or eyes.
Storage: Keep containers tightly closed in cool, dry, well-ventilated places. Store away from heat, sources of ignition, strong acids, bases, or oxidizers. Regularly check containers for leaks or bulging.
Inhibitor Requirement: Always store with added stabilizer or inhibitor to keep the monomer from self-polymerizing, which can cause dangerous pressure buildup or even explosions.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 100 ppm (410 mg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average; ACGIH TLV 50 ppm (205 mg/m3), STEL 100 ppm.
Engineering Controls: Exhaust ventilation at emission points can drastically cut personal exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber), chemical-resistant apron or suit. Respiratory protection such as NIOSH-approved organic vapor cartridge masks.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face before eating or drinking. No eating, drinking, or smoking in handling areas.
State: Liquid at room temperature
Boiling Point: Around 101°C
Melting Point: -48°C
Flash Point: 10°C (open cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 421°C
Vapor Pressure: 38 mm Hg at 20°C
Density: 0.94 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; miscible with most organic solvents
Odor Threshold: 0.08 ppm, people can smell it at very low levels.
Chemical Stability: Remains stable when properly inhibited and stored away from light and high heat.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Spontaneous polymerization can occur without inhibitor, especially in warm or contaminated conditions, generating heat and pressure.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizers; pure monomer reacts with peroxides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning produces irritating and toxic fumes—carbon monoxide a serious concern.
Acute Toxicity: Moderately toxic by inhalation, skin contact, and especially ingestion.
Symptoms of Exposure: Coughing, sore throat, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and skin redness. Asthma-like symptoms possible in sensitive people.
Skin and Eye Contact: Causes irritation and may trigger allergic reactions. Prolonged skin exposure can lead to dermatitis.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as human carcinogen by IARC or OSHA. Some chronic testing in animals shows nasal tumors at high levels, mostly not relevant to low-level job exposure.
Other Chronic Effects: Sensitization leads to immune response on repeat exposure.
Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms; even small spills can harm fish or aquatic invertebrates.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low. Breaks down relatively fast in environment when in sunlight or with active microbes.
Mobility: Moves easily through soil and water due to its low viscosity and high volatility.
Degradability: Readily biodegradable under many conditions.
Waste Disposal: Collect liquid waste in dedicated containers. Incineration at approved facilities usually required due to flammability. Do not dump down drains, sewers, or into the wild.
Regulatory Notes: Solvent recycling is possible for pure, uncontaminated waste. Always consult local, state, or national hazardous waste regulations.
Packaging Disposal: Triple-rinse empty drums and send for specialized disposal or reconditioning where allowed.
UN Number: 1247 (Methyl Methacrylate, stabilized)
Transport Hazard Class: Flammable liquid category (Class 3)
Labeling Requirements: Flammable logo and appropriate warnings for land, sea, and air transit.
Packing Group: II (indicates medium danger)
Environmental Note: Special provisions for spill containment during shipping due to aquatic hazards.
OSHA Standards: Covered under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard for workplace chemical hazards
TSCA: Listed on the chemical inventory
EPCRA/SARA Title III: Reportable quantity for large spills
Canadian WHMIS: Requires clear labeling due to workplace hazard profile
REACH (EU): Registration and safety assessment mandatory
Community Impact: Local agencies monitor and regulate storage and emissions, especially near residential zones.
