uiutei Slate* t I'A ,'4>jt
( nwonmenlal Protection OecemDei
< ifl«e i)( Pollution Preventnn and Tu>ck i'4iH)
Chemicals in the
Environment
ACRYLIC ACID
(CAS NO. 79-10-7)
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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 chemicaJs 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
them, and whom to contact for addi-
tional information EPA is committed to
reducing environmental releases of
chemicals through source reduction and
other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants
WHAT IS ACRYLIC ACID, HOW
IS II USED, AND HOW MIGHT I
BE EXPOSED?
Acrylic acid is a colorless, cor-
rosive liquid It occurs naturally, being
produced by several species of marine
algae and in the stomach of sheep It is
produced in very large amounts (I I
billion pounds in 1991) by four com-
panies in the United States US demand
for acrylic acid is increasing at a rate of
4 to 5 percent per year The largest users
of acrylic acid are companies that make
acrylic esters and resins, chemicaJs
added to protective surface coatings and
adheswes The fastest growing use of
acrylic acid is in the production of su-
perabsorbent polyacryhc acid polymers
Companies also use acrylic acid to make
oil treatment chemicals, detergent in-
termediates, and water treatment
chemicals
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Exposure to acrylic acid can occur
in the workplace or in the environment
following releases to air, water, land, or
ground water Acrylic acid 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 does not remain in the body due
to its removal in expired air and in urine
WHAT HAPPENS TO ACRYLIC
ACID IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
Acrylic acid evaporates when ex-
posed to air It dissolves when mixed with
water Most direct releases of acrylic acid to
the environment are to underground sites or
to air Once in air, acrylic acid breaks down
to other chemicals. Microorganisms that
live in water and in soil can also break down
acrylic acid. Because it is a liquid that does
not bind well to soil, acrylic acid that makes
its way into the ground can move through
the ground and enter groundwater Plants
and animals are not likely to store acrylic
acid
HOW DOES ACRYLIC ACID AFFECT
HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?
Effects of acrylic acid on human
health and the environment depend on how
much acrylic acid is present and the length
and frequency of exposure Effects also
depend on the health of a person or the
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condition of the environment when
exposure occurs
Breathing acrylic acid va-
pors for short periods of time irri-
tates the human respiratory system
Direct contact with liquid acrylic
acid imtates the skin and eyes
Human health effects asso-
ciated with breathing or otherwise
consuming small amounts of acrylic
acid over long periods of time are not
known Laboratory studies show
that repeat exposure to acrylic acid
vapor damages the lining of the nose
of animals The acrylic acid industry
has recently completed several
animal studies in response to an EPA
request for testing Acrylic acid
causes reduced birth weight in pups
of animals consuming acrylic acid in
dnnking water These studies report
no other adverse effects on the re-
productive system or on the devel-
opment of the fetus of animals
Acrylic acid by itself is not
likely to cause environmental harm
at levels normally found in the en-
vironment Acrylic acid can con-
tnbute to the formation of photo-
chemical smog when it reacts with
other volatile organic carbon sub-
stance in air
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WHAT EPA PROGRAM omen RICULATT ACRYLIC ACID, AND UNDER WHAT LAW* is IT KIGULATKD?
EPA Ornci:
Polluuon Prevention & Tones
Air
Solid Waste &
Emergency Response
LAW
Toxic Substances Control Act
Emergency Pluming and Community Right-to-Know Ad fEPCRA) Regulations (§313)
TOMC* Release Inventory data
Clean Air Act
Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
Rcmourc* Conservation and Recovery Act / EPCRA (§ 904/311/312)
A technical support document is available from the TSCA Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404
WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUTS CAN I CONTACT roR INFORMATION ON ACRYLIC ACID?
AGENCY/GROUP PHONE NUMBER
AmencanConterenctofGovemrnenUl IivliistnaJ Hyperusts (513)742-2020
Consumer Product Safety Commission (301) 504-0994
Food and Drug Administration (301)443-3170
National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHethh Clearinghouse) (800) 643-4794
National Institute for Occupational Safely and Hearth (N1OSH) (800)356-4674
PHONE NUMBER
(202)554-1404
(800) 535-0202
(202)260-1531
(919)541-0888
(800) 535-0202
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