Acrylamide: Health effects
Description
Polymerised acrylamide is not toxic, but the monomer can cause peripheral neuropathy. Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen.
Inhalation of acrylamide causes local effects due to irritation of the mucous membranes, and systemic effects due to the involvement of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. Symptoms include abnormal fatigue, sleepiness, memory difficulties and dizziness. With severe poisoning, confusion, disorientation and hallucinations may occur. Excessive sweating in the limb extremities is a common observation. Signs of central nervous system effects and local skin involvement may precede peripheral neuropathy by as much as several weeks. Peripheral neuropathy can involve loss of tendon reflexes, impairment of vibration sense, loss of other sensation, muscular wasting in peripheral parts of the extremities. After cessation of exposure, most cases recover, although the course of improvement is prolonged, and can extend over months to years.
Ingestion causes abdominal pain, weakness and tremors.
Skin contact causes local irritation characterised by blistering and loss of skin and of the hands and feet. Acrylamide may be absorbed by the skin which may lead to systemic effects.
Eye contact causes slight injury that repairs within 24 hours.
Entering the body
Acrylamide can be absorbed through unbroken skin, mucous membranes and lungs or by ingestion.
Exposure
Human exposure to acrylamide is primarily for those working with the product from skin contact and inhalation of dust and vapour. The general public may be exposed through contaminated drinking water from residual monomer in polyacrylamide flocculants used in water treatment.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia recommends an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit of 0.03 mg/m3
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