Identifying Acrylamide Exposure Risks to Protect Residents of California

In September, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced it proposed adding a new subsection to Article 6 of Title 27 of the California Code of Regulations. The rulemaking proposed by OEHHA would require a warning for food exposures to acrylamide to include the following words: Consuming this product can expose you to acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen formed in some foods during cooking or processing at high temperatures. Many factors affect your cancer risk, including the frequency and amount of the chemical consumed.

Back in 1990, the state of California designated acrylamide as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. In 2011, that listing was expanded to include reproductive toxicity. Proposition 65, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment.

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes acrylamide as a colorless, odorless, crystalline solid that can react violently when melted. Acrylamide is used to make polyacrylamides, which are mainly used in treating wastewater discharge from water treatment plants and industrial processes. In addition, the agency reports that acrylamide and polyacrylamides are used in the production of dyes and organic chemicals, contact lenses, cosmetics and toiletries, permanent-press fabrics, textile production, pulp and paper production, ore processing, sugar refining, and as a chemical grouting agent and soil stabilizer for the construction of tunnels, sewers, wells, and reservoirs.

“Acrylamide can be formed in foods that are rich in carbohydrates when they are fried, grilled, or baked,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “ATSDR asserts that for the general population, exposure to acrylamide occurs mainly through eating contaminated food although it can also occur by breathing secondhand smoke. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have all concluded that acrylamide is likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”

Testing services for acrylamide and many other chemicals of concern are available from LA Testing’s network of laboratories. Last year, LA Testing even sponsored an educational video about acrylamide and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/lsNsJJuT0uw

To learn more about acrylamide testing or other food, beverage, environmental, and industrial hygiene services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

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Joseph Frasca

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LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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