Sensitization capacity of polyester methacrylate in ultraviolet curing inks tested in the guinea pig

One of the prepolymers used in Ultraviolet (UV) curing ink formulations is acrylated polyester. The prepolymer investigated is a dimethacrylated polyester, thus a saturated polyester terminated with methacrylic groups. In conventional UV-curing coatings the prepolymer commonly used is an unsaturated polyester. Three of six workers with dermatitis from UV-curing inks in printing plants had positive test results from the polyester methacrylate present in the inks used. The sensitizing capacity, performed with the "Guinea pig maximization test", shows polyester or methacrylate to be a moderate sensitizer.