Acrylic acid: Environmental effects
Description
Due to the breakdown of acrylic acid in the environment and its moderate acute toxicity, the chemical would not be expected to be toxic to aquatic or terrestrial animals at levels normally found in the environment. As a volatile organic compound (VOC), acrylic acid can contribute to the formation of photo-chemical smog in the presence of other precursors.
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute (short term) 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 toxic (long term) effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behaviour. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical.
Entering the environment
Because of water solubility and vapour pressure most (about 90%) acrylic acid released to the environment is expected to end up in water. The chemical can be removed from the atmosphere in rain. If released to soil the chemical leaches into groundwater or surface waters. Leaching into ground or surface waters is the major route of removal of acrylic acid from soils due to the chemical's high water solubility and low vapour pressure. Bioaccumulation of acrylic acid is not expected to be significant.
Where it ends up
Acrylic acid exists in the atmosphere in the gas phase. The dominant atmospheric loss process for acrylic acid is by reaction with the hydroxyl radical. Based on this reaction, the atmospheric life is only expected to be a few days. In the air acrylic acid reacts with ozone to produces glyoxylic acid and formic acid. Wet and dry deposition of gaseous acrylic acid may also be important.
Acrylic Acid is biodegradable. It is also destroyed by sunlight in surface soils and water. It is slightly persistent in water but will degrade within a few weeks or months.
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
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