

Public Health Statement for Acrylamide

(Acrilamida )

December 2012

CAS#: 79-06-1

Public Health Statement PDF PDF Version, 208 KB

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Acrylamide. It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter version, the ToxFAQsâ„¢, is also available. . This information is important because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636.

This public health statement tells you about acrylamide and the effects of exposure to it.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term federal clean-up activities. Acrylamide has been found in at least 3 of the 1,699 current or former NPL sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility exists that the number of sites at which acrylamide is found may increase in the future as more sites are evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to this substance may be harmful.



1.1 What is acrylamide?

White or colorless, odorless crystalline solid

Acrylamide can violently react when melting. When heated, acrid fumes may be released.

Used in industry

Acrylamide is used to make polyacrylamide, which is mainly used in treating effluent from water treatment plants and industrial processes.

1.2 What happens to acrylamide when it enters the environment?

Most commonly found in water

Acrylamide may enter drinking water if polyacrylamide is used in the treatment process. It can be found in soils, but is rarely found in air.

Rapidly broken down in soil and water

If acrylamide enters soil or water, it will be broken down quickly by bacteria.

1.3 How might I be exposed to acrylamide?

Water and soil

Drinking water can sometimes contain acrylamide. It can enter drinking water from the treatment process of municipal supplies as well as from substances used to construct dams and wells. Acrylamide breaks down quickly in water and soil, but there is still a chance of exposure if you live near a plastics or dye plants.

Inhalation and dermal contact

If you smoke, or breathe second-hand tobacco smoke, you might be exposed to acrylamide. Tobacco smoke is a major source of acrylamide exposure within the general population. People involved in the production or use of acrylamide and acrylamide-containing products are exposed if they breathe in air that contains acrylamide. They may also be exposed by coming into skin contact with acrylamide.


Acrylamide is formed in foods that are rich in carbohydrates (particularly potatoes) when they are fried, grilled, or baked at normal cooking temperatures. Levels of acrylamide in these foods increase with higher temperatures and longer cooking times. Protein-based foods (such as meats) probably contain low amounts of acrylamide. Ingestion of foods that contain acrylamide is a primary source of exposure.

1.4 How can acrylamide enter and leave my body?

May enter your body through food, drinking water, breathing, and skin contact

Acrylamide can enter your body when you eat foods or drink water containing acrylamide. Breathing tobacco smoke may cause some level of acrylamide to enter your lungs. Acrylamide can also enter your body if it comes in contact with your skin. Dermal contact with acrylamide can occur if you work in the manufacture of acrylamide or polyacrylamide gels.

Leaves through bodily fluids

Once in your body, acrylamide enters your body fluids. Acrylamide and its breakdown products leave your body mostly through urine; small amounts may leave through feces, exhaled air, and breast milk.

1.5 How can acrylamide affect my health?


Nervous system Effects

Nervous system effects such as muscle weakness, numbness in hands and feet, sweating, unsteadiness, and clumsiness were reported in some acrylamide workers. However, most people are not exposed to acrylamide levels high enough to cause these effects.

Reproductive effects

Acrylamide reduces the ability of male animals to produce offspring and could cause similar effects in humans, but not likely at exposure levels experienced by most people.


Acrylamide has caused several types of cancer in animals. We do not know whether acrylamide causes cancer in humans. The EPA, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the Department of Health and Human Services have concluded that acrylamide is likely to be carcinogenic to humans.

1.6 How can acrylamide affect children?


Effects in children

Acrylamide is expected to affect children in the same manner as adults.

It is not known whether children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of acrylamide.

Developmental effects

Effects such as decreased body weight, decreased startle responses, indicators of repressed learning ability and motivation, delayed development of motor skills, and decreased levels of some chemicals involved in transmission of brain signals were seen in some animals exposed to acrylamide before and after birth. There are no reports of acrylamide causing developmental effects in humans.

1.7 How can families reduce the risk of exposure to acrylamide?

Limit exposure to tobacco and second-hand smoke

Tobacco smoke contains acrylamide. Avoid smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke.

Reduce consumption of foods that contain acrylamide

Avoid eating a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods that are cooked at high temperatures (e.g., French fries). Foods with higher protein content appear to have lower amounts of acrylamide. Avoid overcooking foods.

1.8 Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed to acrylamide?

Can be measured in blood and urine

Acrylamide and its breakdown products can be measured in blood and urine. These measurements may be useful in estimating how much acrylamide has entered the body. However, assays to identify exposure to acrylamide are not readily available to clinicians.





Some regulations and recommendations for acrylamide include the following:

Levels in drinking water set by EPA

The EPA has determined that exposure to acrylamide in drinking water at concentrations of 1.5 mg/L for one day or 0.3 mg/L for 10 days is not expected to cause any adverse effects in a child.

Levels in workplace air set by OSHA

OSHA set a legal limit of 0.3 mg/m3 for acrylamide in air averaged over an 8-hour work day.


Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2012. Toxicological profile for Acrylamide. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

Where can I get more information?


For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Email: Contact CDC-INFO


Information line and technical assistance:
Phone: 888-422-8737

To order toxicological profiles, contact:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161



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