Common Name: Acrylamide
CAS Number: 79-06-1
DOT Number: UN 2074
Date: January 31, 1986
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Acrylamide can affect you when breathed in and by passing
through your skin.
* Exposure can damage the nervous system, causing numbness and
weakness in the hands and feet, loss of balance, slurred
speech, and heavy sweating. These changes may be permanent.
* Contact can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
Solutions may irritate the skin or cause eye burns. A skin
rash may occur.
* Acrylamide can explode if heated to high temperatures.
IDENTIFICATION
Acrylamide is a white crystal (flake like) or colorless, odorless
solid. It can also appear in solutions. It is used to make other
chemicals.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Acrylamide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH and EPA.
* Definitions are attached.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air
samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your
employer. You have a legal right to this information under
OSHA 1910.20.
* If you think you are experiencing any work related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
0.3 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour work shift.
NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.3 mg/m3
averaged over a 10 hour workshift.
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.03 mg/m3
averaged over an 8 hour workshift.
* The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air
levels are less than the limits listed above.
WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
* Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
worn.
* Wear protective work clothing.
* Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Acrylamide and
at the end of the workshift.
* Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort,
communicate all information on the health and safety hazards
of Acrylamide to potentially exposed workers.
This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential
and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential
effects described below.
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
Acute Health Effects
The following acute (short term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Acrylamide:
* Exposure irritates the skin, causing a rash or burning feeling
on contact.
* Contact may cause eye burns.
* Exposure can irritate the nose and throat.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Acrylamide and can last for months or years:
Cancer Hazard
* There is limited evidence that Acrylamide causes cancer in
animals. It may cause cancer of the skin and lung.
Reproductive Hazard
* There is limited evidence that Acrylamide may damage the
testes (male reproductive glands).
Other Long Term Effects
* Acrylamide can damage the nervous system causing numbness,
"pins and needles," and/or weakness in the hands and feet.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV
or greater, or significant skin contact), the following are
recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that:
* Exam of the nervous system. Nerve conduction tests should be
considered.
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present
symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already
done are not a substitute for controlling exposure.
Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to
this information under OSHA 1910.20.
WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of
reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations
and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical
release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using
respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the
controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary.
In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1)
how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is
released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye
contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly
toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing
exposures are possible.
In addition, the following controls are recommended:
* Where possible, automatically transfer Acrylamide from drums
or other storage containers to process containers.
* Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by
NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document:
Occupational Exposure to Acrylamide #77 112.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Acrylamide
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to
Acrylamide.
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work
area for emergency use.
* On skin contact with Acrylamide, immediately wash or shower to
remove the chemical.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Acrylamide is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry,
jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be
appropriate.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply
to every situation.
Clothing
* Avoid skin contact with Acrylamide. Wear protective gloves and
clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide
recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material
for your operation.
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
Eye Protection
* Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when
working with the liquid and dust proof goggles and face shield
when working with the solid.
Respiratory Protection
IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should
only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into
account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training,
respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA
1910.134.
* Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.3 mg/m3, use
a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full
facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a
full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode,
or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing
apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or
other positive pressure mode.
Common Name: Acrylamide
DOT Number: UN 2074
DOT Emergency Guide code: 55
CAS Number: 79-06-1
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NJ DOH Hazard rating
FLAMMABILITY Not Found
REACTIVITY Not Found
----------------------------------------
POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Acrylamide is a COMBUSTIBLE SOLID. Use dry chemical, CO2,
water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Acrylamide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill or leak until cleanup is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient manner and
deposit in sealed containers.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Acrylamide as a
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for
specific recommendations.
==========================================
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
==========================================
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Acrylamide you should be trained on its
proper handling and storage.
* Acrylamide must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG
OXIDIZERS, such as CHLORINE DIOXIDE, and BROMINE, since
violent reactions occur.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated
area.
* Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are
prohibited where Acrylamide is used, handled, or stored in a
manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
FIRST AID
POISON INFORMATION
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area
with large amounts of soap and water.
PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 0.007 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 280.4oF (138oC)
Water Solubility: Highly soluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
2-Propenamide
Other Names and Formulations:
Acrylic Amide; Propenamide; Acrylamide Monomer.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acrylamide is used as a flocculant, paper-making aid, and
thickener, and as an additive to enhance oil recovery. Acrylamide
can enter the environment mainly in the effluents from industrial
processes.
ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or
fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are
seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with
a toxic chemical substance.
Acrylamide has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. No
data are available on the short-term effects of acrylamide to
plants, birds, or land animals.
CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan,
reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in
appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long
after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical.
Acrylamide has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No
data are available on the long-term effects of acrylamide to
plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Acrylamide is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of
1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Acrylamide is slightly persistent in the aquatic environment, with
a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant
is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be
degraded. About 95% of acrylamide will eventually end up in water;
the rest will end up in the air.
BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS
Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in
living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink
contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can
become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals
and humans.
The concentration of acrylamide found in fish tissues is expected
to be about the same as the average concentration of acrylamide in
the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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