Sensitization capacity of acrylated prepolymers in ultraviolet curing inks tested in the guinea pig

One commonly used prepolymer in ultraviolet (UV) curing inks is epoxy acrylate. Of 6 men with dermatitis contracted from UV-curing inks, 2 had positive patch test reaction to epoxy acrylate. None reacted to the chemically related bisphenol A dimethacrylate. The sensitization capacity of epoxy acrylate and bisphenol A dimethacrylate performed with the "Guinea pig maximization test" (GPM) shows epoxy acrylate to be an extreme sensitizer and bisphenol A dimethacrylate a moderate sensitizer. Cross-reaction between the two substances occurs. The epoxy resin oligomer MW 340 present in the epoxy acrylate also sensitized some animals.