Epidemiology of Sensitization to Acrylates in The Nail Sector (HEMA/HPMA/EGDMA)
Abstract
The study is aimed at assessing the epidemiological situation that has developed against the background of an increased incidence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) induced by acrylate monomers used in nail services. The significance of the problem under consideration is determined by the rapid and large-scale growth of the global nail services market in 2024–2025, which was accompanied by an increase in the number of sensitization episodes both in occupational settings and among end users. As a priority objective, the work establishes the systematization of current statistical and clinical information on the prevalence of allergic reactions to 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), as well as an analysis of the effectiveness of the existing regulatory approaches of the European Union. The methodological framework includes a comparative examination of data from multicenter audits, a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed sources, and a critical assessment of technical limitations and requirements articulated in ECHA and SCCS documents. The findings demonstrate a sustained upward trend in the proportion of sensitization to HEMA within the European population, reaching 1.98% by 2024, and also indicate an exceptionally high rate of occupationally mediated allergy among nail service professionals, reaching 78.8%. The stated provisions point to the insufficient effectiveness of current measures intended to restrict the use of the relevant monomers and confirm the necessity of a transition to polymerization technologies characterized by reduced sensitizing potential, taking into account the planned ban on the photoinitiator TPO in September 2025. The material has practical and regulatory significance for dermatological services, occupational health specialists, the chemical and technological sector of the cosmetics industry, and supervisory bodies responsible for monitoring the safety of mass consumer products.