The role of acrylic acid impurity as a sensitizing component in electrocardiogram electrodes

Abstract

The sensitization resulting from direct contact with ECG electrodes was caused by acrylic acid, present as an impurity in ECG electrodes. Positive reactions to 2-HEMA, 2-HPMA and EGDMA are considered to be cross-reactions.

Contact allergy to electrocardiogram electrodes caused by acrylic acid without sensitivity to methacrylates and ethyl cyanoacrylate

“…), and an acrylate series (Table ), without any positive results. On the basis of literature data on cases of allergic contact dermatitis caused by acrylic acid in ECG and transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation (TENS) electrodes, we subsequently performed patch testing with acrylic acid (0.1% in saline solution), which gave positive reactions (++) on D2 and D4 (Table ). Acrylic acid tested at the same concentration in 20 healthy subjects gave negative results.…”

“…Contact hypersensitivity to electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes is rarely reported . It can be caused by the hydrogel part of the electrodes, its adhesive, or its central metal part.…”

“…It can be caused by the hydrogel part of the electrodes, its adhesive, or its central metal part. Recently, (meth)acrylates and, in particular, acrylic acid have been pointed out as the possible sensitizers …”

No contact allergy to acrylic acid and methacrylic acid in routinely tested dermatitis patients

“…Occupational and non‐occupational contact allergy to, and allergic contact dermatitis caused by, acrylates/methacrylates are frequently reported . However, there is no acrylate/methacrylate test preparation in the European baseline patch test series .…”

“…Therefore, patch testing with a mix of the acrylates/methacrylates with the highest contact allergy rates when they are routinely tested has been tried, but has been unsuccessful . Recently, an Italian article reported contamination with acrylic acid in an electrode gel to be the likely cause of the allergic contact dermatitis . The patient reacted positively to a few methacrylates not present in the gel, and these were interpreted as cross‐reactions.…”