Polymethyl Methacrylate

Polymethyl Methacrylate molecular structure

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Polymethyl Methacrylate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polymethyl Methacrylate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age children (5+ years), this ingredient is usually low risk when used on the skin in normal cosmetic amounts. The main worries come from impurities or poor manufacturing, not the ingredient itself. Children with sensitive skin or asthma may be more likely to react.

✅What to Do

If you use a product that lists this ingredient on a child aged 5 or older: do a small patch test on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use; avoid products that come as fine powders or sprays (to prevent breathing it in); don’t apply to cuts or irritated skin; pick products from reputable brands that test for impurities; stop use and rinse with water if redness, swelling, rash, or breathing trouble occurs and seek medical help if symptoms are serious.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for allergic reactions or breathing problems—an occupational review found strong evidence this material can be a respiratory allergen. Government reviewers have flagged possible organ-system effects, and industry reviewers note gaps in safety data and possible impurities. The specific impurities to be aware of are methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and benzene. If a product does not list manufacturing or purity controls, or if a child has asthma or very sensitive skin, avoid using products with this ingredient.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Immune system: This ingredient has evidence of causing immune or allergy problems. The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) reports strong evidence it can be an immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine notes limited evidence of immune-system effects. That means it can trigger allergic reactions or immune changes in children who touch or breathe it.
Asthma: There is strong evidence it can harm the lungs or act as a respiratory allergen. The AOEC lists it as a human respiratory toxicant/allergen, so it may make wheezing or asthma worse in sensitive children.
Organ Risk: A government review (Environment Canada) classifies this substance as expected to be toxic or harmful to non-reproductive organs and assigns it a medium human health priority. Repeated or heavy exposure could hurt organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs.
Cancer: While the international cancer agency notes the ingredient itself is not likely to cause cancer, the ingredient is flagged for high contamination risk with chemicals such as benzene. Benzene is a known human carcinogen, so contamination raises real cancer concerns if present.
Long-Term Risk: There are data gaps and regulatory limits noted by industry safety reviewers (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and government reviewers. Combined with contamination concerns and organ-toxicity classifications, this suggests possible long-term health risks from repeated exposure over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polymethyl Methacrylate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polymethyl methacrylatePOLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-METHYL-, METHYL ESTER, HOMOPOLYMERHOMOPOLYMER 2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-METHYL-, METHYL ESTERMETHYL ESTER HOMOPOLYMER 2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-METHYL-

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Research Articles on Polymethyl Methacrylate

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

Polymethyl-Methacrylate Hypersensitivity with Associated Folliculitis Decalvans After Cranioplasty: A Case Report.

PMID: 40678308PubMed ↗

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Polymethyl Methacrylate safety and effects.

Common Questions About Polymethyl Methacrylate

Is this kid-friendly to use Polymethyl Methacrylate?

Yes, Polymethyl Methacrylate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Polymethyl Methacrylate for children?

Could weaken or confuse immune system.

What are the asthma risks of Polymethyl Methacrylate for children?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids.

What are the organ risk risks of Polymethyl Methacrylate for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the cancer risks of Polymethyl Methacrylate for children?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the long-term risk risks of Polymethyl Methacrylate for children?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Polymethyl Methacrylate?

Polymethyl Methacrylate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Polymethyl Methacrylate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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