Have any of you been physically affected by methyl methacrylate monomer before?

 Just a little sidebar about the hazardous chemical tank incident in Garden Grove, CA.

The chemical of concern is methyl methacrylate monomer. When it polymerizes and turns into a solid, it gives off a lot of heat because the polymerization is an endothermic reaction.

Methyl Methacrylate molecule, Photo Credit: Jynto

Anyway, a long time ago (1973-74), I used to work for a carbide tool manufacturer in Latrobe, PA, called Kennametal. They were famous for making tire studs for winter tires, welding rods, and carbide tool bits.

We were experimenting with different mixing agents for the carbide powders used in the processes, including methyl methacrylate monomer.

One day I went home after work and suddenly started getting horrible hives. They were huge and covered my arms, legs, and other parts of my body. We weren't sure what caused it, but, the only thing different from what I usually did there was that I was in the lab when they were experimenting with methyl methacrylate. I remember the strong odor of it. My doctor suspected that was the cause. It took a week or two for all the hives to disappear.

A few months later I resigned and went to grad school to study environmental science. One day I was walking up the stairwell in one of the chemical lab buildings. The floor tiles were being replaced and I smelled a familiar odor. When I got to my apartment, I broke out in hives again, just like before. I later found out that methyl methacrylate was one of the chemicals being used to secure the floor tiles to the stairway!

In all of the reporting being done about this incident in Garden Grove, I don't recall anyone discussing this effect of the chemical on some people.

Have any of you had a similar experience? Let us know in the comments below.