Allergenicity of trimethylol propane triacrylate in ultraviolet curing inks in the guinea pig.

Trimethylol propane triacrylate (TMPTA) is a multifunctional acrylate commonly used in ultraviolet (UV) curing inks. Six men developed dermatitis when working with such UV curing inks in printing plants and all had positive patch test to TMPTA. The sensitizing capacity of TMPTA as determined by the "Guinea pig maximization test" (GMP) showed it to be a strong allergen. Cross-reaction with penta-erythritol triacrylate (PETA) occurs, but not with trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA).