The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes acrylamide as a colorless, odorless, crystalline solid that can react violently when melted. Acrylamide is used to make polyacrylamides, which are mainly used in treating wastewater discharge from water treatment plants and industrial processes.

In addition, the agency reports that acrylamide and polyacrylamides are used in the production of dyes and organic chemicals, contact lenses, cosmetics and toiletries, permanent-press fabrics, textile production, pulp and paper production, ore processing, sugar refining, and as a chemical grouting agent and soil stabilizer for the construction of tunnels, sewers, wells and reservoirs. Acrylamide is also formed in foods that are rich in carbohydrates when they are fried, grilled or baked.

The ATSDR asserts that for the general population, exposure to acrylamide occurs mainly through eating contaminated food. It can also occur by breathing secondhand smoke. Workers can be exposed if they are involved in the production or use of acrylamide and acrylamide containing products. Occupational exposure routes listed by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) include inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, as well as skin and/or eye contact. Symptoms of exposure may include irritation of the eyes and skin; ataxia, numb limbs and paresthesia; muscle weakness; absent deep tendon reflexes; hand sweating; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion) and drowsiness; reproductive effects; and the potential for occupational cancers.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have all concluded that acrylamide is likely to be carcinogenic to humans. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added acrylamide to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 in 1990, and for developmental and reproductive toxicity in 2011.

Fortunately, there are published exposure limits from NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) meant to protect workers.

These are just a few things to know about acrylamide and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, chemical, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.

Clark Seif Clark [ Ссылка ]
EMSL Analytical, Inc. [ Ссылка ]
LA Testing [ Ссылка ]
Zimmetry Environmental [ Ссылка ]
Healthy Indoors Magazine [ Ссылка ]

свернуть