Effects of Methyl Methacrylate on the Sense of Smell

Axel Muttray1, Bernhard Schmitt2 and Ludger Klimek3

1Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University of Mainz, Germany
2Industrial Medicine Department of the Röhm Company, Darmstadt, Germany
3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Mainz, Germany
 
Corresponding author:
Dr. Axel Muttray
Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin
der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität
Obere Zahlbacher Straße 67
55131 Mainz, Germany
Telephone: 06131/173233
Fax: 06131/176680

CEJOEM 1997, 3:58-66

Key words: Methyl methacrylate, occupational exposure, olfactory mucosa, olfaction

Abbrevation:
MMA – methyl methacrylate

Abstract: Inhalation studies showed a degeneration of the olfactory epithelium in rats exposed to methyl methacrylate (MMA). Degeneration of the olfactory epithelium will result in loss of olfaction. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of chronic smell disorders in MMA-exposed workers. In a cross-sectional study prevalence of smell disorders of 175 MMA-exposed workers and 88 non-exposed controls was investigated with the Rhino-Testâ. Mean duration of MMA exposure was 9.6 (±7.1) years. Time weighted average concentrations of MMA were up to 50 ppm during the past 6 years and up to 100 ppm the time before. The prevalence of smell disorders was not higher in the exposed workers than in the control group. Our data indicate that a threshold limit value of 50 ppm MMA provides sufficient protection against clinically relevant hyposmia.
Received: 03 January 1997
Accepted: 22 January 1997

Posted 16 December 1998
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