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Umled States EPA 749-F-94 006
Environmenlal Pnoledion Decembet 19&4
Ayency
CKIce of Pollution Prevention and Toxcs (74IJ1)
oER^V Chemicals in the
Environment
ACRYLAMIDE
(CAS NO. 79-06-1)
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Chemicals can be released to the envi-
ronment as a result of their manufacture,
processing, and use. The EPA has de-
veloped information summaries on se-
lected chemicals to describe how you
might be exposed to these chemicals,
how exposure to them might affect you
and the environment, what happens to
them in the environment, who regulates
mem, and whom to contact for additional
information. EPA is committed to re-
ducing environmental releases of
chemicals through source reduction and
other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants.
WHAT IS ACRVLAMIDE, HOW IS
IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE
EXPOSED?
Acrylamide is an odorless solid
that exists as flake-like crystals. It does
not occur naturally but is produced in
large amounts (100 million pounds in
1992) by three companies in the United
States. US demand for acrylamide is
likely to increase during the next several
years The largest users of acrylamide are
companies that make polyacrylamide
polymers. Companies also use acryla-
mide to make N-butoxyacrylamide and
N-methylolacrylamide. Products such as
clarifying agents, adhesives, printing ink
emulsion stabilizers, thickening agents
for agricultural sprays, and water reten-
tion aids can also contain acrylamide.
Exposure to acrylamide can oc-
cur in the workplace or in the environ-
ment following releases to air, water, land, or
groundwater. Acrylamide enters the body
when breathed in with contaminated air or
when consumed with contaminated food or
water. It can also be absorbed through skin
contact. It is not likely to remain in the body
due to its removal in urine.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ACRYLAMIDE
IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
Acrylamide dissolves when mixed
with water. Most direct releases of acryla-
mide to the environment are to underground
sites or to air. Once in air, acrylamide breaks
down to other chemicals. Microorganisms
that live in water and in soil can also break
down acrylamide. Because of its ability to
mix with water and its inability to bind well
to soil, acrylamide that makes its way into the
ground can move through the ground and
enter groundwater. Plants and animals are
not likely to store acrylamide.
HOW DOES ACRYLAMIDE AFFECT
HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of acrylamide on human
health and the environment depend on how
much acrylamide is present and the length
and frequency of exposure. Effects also
depend on the health of a person or the
condition of the environment when exposure
occurs.
Exposure to acrylamide for short
periods of time can adversely affect the
human netvous system. Effects range
from drowsiness to incoordination,
hallucinations, and confusion. Direct
contact vith dissolved acrylamide
irritates tl.e skin. Acrylamide dust
irritates ths respiratory system. These
effects are not likely to occur at levels
ofacrylarridethatare normally found
in the environment.
H Jinan health effects asso-
ciated wih breathing or otherwise
consuming small amounts of acry-
lamide over long periods of time are
not knowi. Workers repeatedly ex-
posed to icrylamide have developed
neurologic symptoms such as ab-
normal sensation, muscle weakness,
and incoordination Laboratory
studies show that repeat exposure to
acrylamide causes similar adverse
nervous system effects in animals.
Studres si low that repeat exposure to
acrylamide also causes general tox-
icity, adverse blood effects, and ad-
verse reproductive effects in animals.
Lifetime exposure to small amounts
of acryhimide in drinking water
causes ciincer in animals. Repeat
exposure to acrylamide may likewise
cause cancer in humans.
Acrylamide is not likely to
cause environmental harm at levels
normally found in the environment
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