Publication of NIOH and NIOSH Basis for an Occupational
Health Standard. Acrylamide: A Review of the Literature
As part of an agreement with the National Institute of
Occupational Health (NIOH) in Solna, Sweden, CDC's National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) develops
documents to provide the scientific basis for establishing
recommended occupational exposure limits. One such document, NIOH
and NIOSH Basis for an Occupational Health Standard. Acrylamide: A
Review of the Literature (1), was recently released. *
Acrylamide is an odorless, white, crystalline solid used as a
monomer or as a raw material in the production of polyacrylamides.
Workers potentially exposed to acrylamide monomer are employed in
acrylamide manufacturing and processing, grouting operations, and
research and analytical laboratories.
More than 10,000 U.S. workers were potentially exposed to
acrylamide monomer during 1981-1983, either in acrylamide
manufacturing and processing or in grouting operations
(particularly in sewer grouting) (CDC, National Occupational
Exposure Survey, 1981-1983). An additional 100,000-200,000 U.S.
workers are researchers and technicians involved in the preparation
of polyacrylamide gels (2).
Only the acrylamide monomer is toxic; polyacrylamide products
are generally considered nontoxic. Acrylamide monomer may be
neurotoxic, carcinogenic, genotoxic, and hazardous to reproduction.
Acrylamide exposures cause cancer and reproductive effects in
animals, but epidemiologic studies have not demonstrated these
effects in humans.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's current
occupational exposure limit for acrylamide is 0.03 mg/m3. Standards
for other countries are included in the document's appendix.
References
NIOSH. NIOH and NIOSH basis for an occupational health standard.
Acrylamide: a review of the literature. Cincinnati: US Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, CDC, 1991;DHHS
publication no. (NIOSH)91-115.
Environmental Protection Agency. Preliminary assessment of
health risks from exposure to acrylamide. Washington, DC: US
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Toxic Substances, 1988.
Single copies of this document are available without charge from
the Information Dissemination Section, Division of Standards
Development and Technology Transfer, NIOSH, 4676 Columbia Parkway,
Cincinnati, OH 45226; telephone (513) 533-8287.
Disclaimer
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**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to mmwrq@cdc.gov.
