Acrylates see Acrylic Acid; Ethyl Acrylate; Methyl Acrylate

Acrylic Acid
D Brown, Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Ó 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
This article is a revision of the previous edition article by Sanjay Chanda & Harihara M. Mehendale, volume 1, pp 45–46, Ó 2005, Elsevier Inc.

l Name: Acrylic acid acid were released. It has been shown to be oxidized by both
l Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number: 79-10-7 aerobic and anaerobic pathways.
l Synonyms: Acroleic acid; Aqueous acrylic acid; Ethylene
carboxylic acid; Glacial acrylic acid (98% in aqueous solu-
Exposure and Exposure Monitoring
tion); 2-Propenoic acid
l Molecular Formula: C3H4O2
Human exposure to acrylic acid is mainly to its vapors, and
l Chemical Structure:
exposure is primarily confined to production processes as
H2C acrylic acid is used in the manufacturing of numerous acrylates.
Levels of acrylic acid are monitored in samples by quantifica-
tion using HPLC.
O OH

Background Toxicokinetics
Acrylic acid, also known as prop-2-enoic acid, is an organic The excretion half-life of acrylic acid has been found to be
molecule with the formula C3H4O2, and is the simplest of the 40 min. Both in vitro and in vivo studies of acrylic acid meta-
unsaturated carboxylic acids. At room temperature, acrylic acid bolism have shown that it is extensively metabolized to
is a colorless liquid with a tart or acrid smell. Industrially, 3-hydroxyproionic acid, carbon dioxide, and mercapturic acid,
acrylic acid is produced from the oxidation of propene with all of which are eliminated in expired air and urine. Because of
molecular oxygen. Acrylic acid is highly susceptible to Michael- its rapid metabolism, acrylic acid has no potential for
type reactions, and most of the uses of this chemical involve bioaccumulation.
polymerization reactions. Acrylic acid is used to produce large
quantities of acrylic esters.
Mechanism of Toxicity
Uses Acrylic acid is corrosive, and its toxicity occurs at the site of
contact.
Acrylic acid is used as a building block in the production of
many types of homopolymeric and copolymeric materials,
including various plastics, coatings, adhesives, elastomers, Acute and Short-Term Toxicity
paints, and polishes. Additionally, acrylic acid is used in the
Animal
production of hygienic medical products, detergents, and
wastewater treatment chemicals. Although a wide range of LD50 values has been reported for
acrylic acid, it is generally believed to possess low to moderate
acute toxicity in the oral route, and moderate acute toxicity in
Environmental Fate, Behavior, Routes, and Pathways the inhalation and dermal routes. Many of the symptoms of
acute toxicity parallel those found in humans.
Acrylic acid’s large-scale use and production results in its release
into the environment. The most likely route of exposure is
Human
inhalation because acrylic acid has a low vapor pressure. The
miscibility of acrylic acid in water combined with its low vapor Acrylic acid is corrosive and irritating to the skin. Exposure to
pressure prevent it from accumulating in the soil. Acrylic acid vapor can cause moderate to severe skin and eye irritation.
that is emitted into the atmosphere is degraded photochemi- Acrylic acid can also cause forestomach edema. Acute exposure
cally by reaction with hydroxyl radicals. There is no potential is corrosive to the eyes, nose, throat, and mucous membranes
for long-range atmospheric transport of acrylic acid because it of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Inhalation
has an atmospheric lifetime of 1 month. of vapors produces a burning sensation, cough, nasal discharge,
Acrylic acid rapidly oxidizes when added to water, so the sore throat, labored breathing, headache, nausea, vomiting,
potential to deplete oxygen exists if a large quantity of acrylic confusion, dizziness, and unconsciousness.

74 Encyclopedia of Toxicology, Volume 1 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386454-3.00220-7

 Acrylic Acid 75

Chronic Toxicity should be maintained. Artificial respiration should be

provided if breathing has stopped. Treatment is usually
Animal
symptomatic.
Animals exposed to acrylic acid via chronic inhalation devel-
oped lethargy, weight loss, kidney abnormalities, and inflam-
Ecotoxicology
mation of the upper respiratory tract. Drinking water studies in
rats showed a NOAEL of 140 mg kg 1 bw per day in decreased
Acrylic acid is not thought to pose a threat to ecosystems because
weight gain in a 12-month study and a NOAEL of 240 mg kg 1
of its rapid oxidation to benign chemical species. Bio-
bw per day for histopathological changes in the stomach.
accumulation of acrylic acid is low due to its low partition
Inhalation studies demonstrated a LOAEL of 5 ppm in mice
coefficient and rapid oxidation. No evidence of bio-
exposed to acrylic acid during 90 days, based on nasal lesions.
magnification of acrylic acid in the food chain was found.
Analogous studies in rats showed a LOAEL of 75 ppm.
Algae have been found to be the most sensitive to
acrylic acid of the aquatic organisms studied, with a no-
Human
observed-effect-concentration of 0.008 mg l 1. No studies
No reports of acrylic acid poisoning of the general public were were found regarding the toxicity of acrylic acid to terres-
found. trial organisms.

Reproductive Toxicity Exposure Standards and Guidelines

Rats injected with acrylic acid showed signs of teratogenic OSHA has currently set exposure limits for acrylic acid of
effects and embryotoxicity. 10 ppm for an 8-h TWA. However, these are not currently
enforced by the agency. The National Institute for Occupa-
tional Safety and Health has recommended an exposure limit
Genotoxicity of 2 ppm for a 10-h TWA.

Both positive and negative results have been found in in vitro

See also: Acrolein; Acrylamide; Acrylonitrile.
genotoxicity tests. An in vivo bone marrow chromosome aber-
ration assay was negative.

Further Reading
Carcinogenicity
Hellwig, J., Deckardt, K., Freisberg, K.O., 1993. Subchronic and chronic studies of the
The data available do not suggest that acrylic acid is carcino- effects of oral administration of acrylic acid to rats. Food Chem. Toxicol. 3, 1–18.
genic; however, the existing data may be inadequate to Klimisch, H.J., Hellwig, J., 1991. The prenatal inhalation toxicity of acrylic acid in rats.
conclude that it is not carcinogenic. Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 16, 656–666.
Vodicka, P., Gut, I., Frantik, E., 1990. Effects of inhaled acrylic acid derivatives in rats.
Toxicology 65, 209–221.

Clinical Management
Relevant Websites
Exposure should be terminated as soon as possible by
moving the victim to fresh air. The skin, eyes, and mouth http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/organic/org028/org028.html
should be washed with copious amounts of water. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/acrylica.html
http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc191.htm
Contaminated clothing should be removed and isolated. The
victim should be kept calm and normal body temperature