Acrylamide

Synonyms

Acrylamide monomer; Acrylic amide; Propenamide; 2-Propenamide; [NIOSH]

Category

Other Monomers

Description

White crystalline, odorless solid; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a polymer or copolymer to produce sealants, adhesives, fibers, paper sizing, molded parts, water coagulants, and textiles. "In the United States, 90% of acrylamide is used to produce polyacrylamide for water treatment (60%), pulp and paper production (20%) and mineral processing (10%);" [ACGIH]

Comments

Can cause sensorimotor neuropathy after occupational exposure; "Polyacrylamide, with less than 0.01% acrylamide, is nontoxic and considered safe as a cosmetic ingredient. . . . Available data indicate no unique sensitivity to the fetus. . . . Most cases of acrylamide poisoning in humans involved exposures over weeks or months from handling the monomer in the course of polymerization. . . . Kim et al. (2017) reported two cases of dermal and neural toxicity in Korean grouting workers with exposure to grouting agents that contained a high concentration of acrylamide (32 and 39% monomer)." [ACGIH] Allergic contact dermatitis reported in laboratory workers using polyacrylamide gels for electrophoresis; [Kanerva, p. 1738] "Germ cell mutagens that have shown to increase the mutant frequency in the progeny of exposed mammals." [MAK] Acrylamide (UN2074) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

N-(2-Carbamoylethyl)valine (CbEv) in blood (not critical); BEI = 500 pmo/g globin (After 120 days of representative work/exposure to Acrylamide); S-(2-Carbamoylethyl)mercapturic acid (AAMA) in urine (end of shift); BEI = 800 ug/g creatine.

Yes

0.03 mg/m3, inhalable fraction and vapor

0.3 mg/m3

60 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Calculations based on an oral LD50 of 150 to 180 mg/kg for guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats [McCollister et al. 1964] indicate that a worker should be able to escape within 30 minutes without injury or irreversible health effects from 600 mg/m3. . . . the revised IDLH for acrylamide is 60 mg/m3 based on being 2,000 times the OSHA PEL of 0.03 mg/m3 that was promulgated in 1989 (2,000 is an assigned protection factor for respirators; only the most reliable respirators are recommended above 2,000 times the OSHA PEL). [Note: NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for acrylamide at concentrations above 0.03 mg/m3.]

0.007 mm Hg

Yes

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

Plasma (animal studies): 2 days; whole body (animal studies): 6-18 days; [TDR, p. 40]

Reference Link #2

high ambient temp required

Yes

Sensorimotor

Probable (2a)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Suspected Human

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Neuropathy, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Mining
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Working with Glues and Adhesives