Common Name: Acrylic Acid
CAS Number: 79-10-7
DOT Number: UN 2218
Date: February, 1989
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Acrylic Acid can affect you when breathed in.
* Acrylic Acid should be handled as a teratogen//with extreme
caution.
* Contact can cause severe skin burns.
* Exposure may cause an allergy to develop. Even very small
future exposures can cause a rash.
* Acrylic Acid can cause severe eye burns leading to permanent
damage.
* Vapors may irritate the eyes, nose, and throat.
* High and/or long-term exposure may damage the kidneys and
lungs.
* It is CORROSIVE, HIGHLY REACTIVE, and a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION
HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
Acrylic Acid is a clear liquid with a sharp odor. It is used in the
manufacture of plastic products, leather treatments, and paper
coating.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Acrylic Acid is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is
cited by ACGIH, DOT, NFPA, DEP and EPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is REACTIVE and CORROSIVE.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED
* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely
evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA
1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling
results from your employer. 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.
* ODOR THRESHOLD = Less than 1 ppm.
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* The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not
smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed.
WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10
ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. (Final Rule
January 1989).
ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm
averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
* Acrylic Acid may be a teratogen in humans. All contact with
this chemical should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
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 Acrylic Acid and
at the end of the workshift. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to
reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are
recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Acrylic Acid
should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Acrylic
Acid.
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work
area for emergency use.
* If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower
facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Acrylic Acid, immediately wash or shower
to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any
areas of the body that may have contacted Acrylic Acid,
whether or not known skin contact has occurred.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Acrylic Acid 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 Acrylic Acid. Wear acid-resistant
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 when working with liquid,
unless full face-piece respiratory protection is worn.
* Wear gas-tight goggles if there is a possibility of exposure
to Acrylic Acid vapor.
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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Acrylic Acid does not occur.
* Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 10 ppm,
use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an
organic vapor cartridge/ canister. Increased protection is
obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying
respirators.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Acrylic Acid, or in
the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye
irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the
respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the
filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good,
you may need a new respirator.
* Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace.
You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges,
or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical
(such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
* Where the potential for higher exposures exists, 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.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
* Prior to working with Acrylic Acid you should be trained on
its proper handling and storage.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area.
* Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
prohibited where Acrylic Acid is handled, used, or stored.
* Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more
of Acrylic Acid should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be
equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and
flame arresters.
* If this material is stored at temperatures below 57oF
(13.9oC), the explosion hazard is significantly reduced.
* Acrylic Acid is a dangerous explosion hazard unless it is
stored with an inhibitor (a chemical which stops an unwanted
chemical reaction).
Common Name: Acrylic Acid
DOT Number: UN 2218
DOT Emergency Guide code: 29
CAS Number: 79-10-7
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 2
REACTIVITY - 2
----------------------------------------
CORROSIVE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
----------------------------------------
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Acrylic Acid is a combustible liquid.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers.
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE.
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
* If leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse
the vapors.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Acrylic Acid is spilled or leaked, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill or leak until clean-up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Ventilate area of spill or leak.
* Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar
material and deposit in sealed containers.
* Keep Acrylic Acid out of a confined space, such as a sewer,
because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer
is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive
concentrations.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Acrylic Acid as
a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific
recommendations.
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department.
FIRST AID
Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue
without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting
upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin
Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area
with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention
immediately.
Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
* Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped.
* Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA
Vapor Pressure: 3.1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Flash Point: 130oF (54.4oC)
Water Solubility: Soluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
2-Propenoic Acid
Other Names and Formulations:
Acroleic Acid; Vinyl Formic Acid; Ethylenecarboxylic Acid.
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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
(609) 984-2202
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acrylic acid is an organic acid which is made on a large scale. It
serves as a building block for the synthesis of other chemicals.
It may enter the environment from industrial discharges or spills.
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.
Acrylic acid has slight acute toxicity to aquatic life and high
toxicity to birds. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or
predict the short-term effects of acrylic acid to plants 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.
Acrylic acid has slight chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of acrylic acid to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Acrylic acid 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
Acrylic acid is slightly persistent in water, 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 90% of acrylic acid 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 acrylic acid found in fish tissues is expected
to be about the same as the average concentration of acrylic acid
in the water from which the fish was taken.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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