The effects of three different types of surfactant systems (ionic, polymeric, and electrosteric stabilizers) on the water sensitivity of poly(butyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) latex films was examined. The water sensitivity was found to be strongly dependent on the surfactant system used in their preparation. A number of factors, such as the surfactant mobility and crystallinity and surfactant/ polymer polarity appeared to affect the water uptake of the films. Highly mobile and crystallizable surfactants yielded high water sensitivity for films containing ionic surfactants, whereas the surfactant polarity had a greater effect on latices stabilized by polymeric surfactants, with the more hydrophilic systems providing greater water uptake. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.