Protecting Workers and the Public from Acrylamide and Other Chemical Exposure Risks

Acrylamide is described by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a colorless, odorless, crystalline solid that can react violently when melted. It 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 is also formed in foods that are rich in carbohydrates when they are fried, grilled or baked. This is why ATSDR reports that for the general population, exposure to acrylamide occurs mainly through eating contaminated food, although it can also occur by breathing secondhand smoke or drinking contaminated water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates acrylamide levels in drinking water and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the amount of it in a variety of materials that come in contact with food.
 
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. Back in 1990, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added acrylamide to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65. It was also added to the list for developmental and reproductive toxicity in 2011.
 
“Workers in a number of industries can be exposed to acrylamide through inhalation, skin and eye contact, and through skin absorption,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “This is why NIOSH and OSHA have established occupational exposure limits for the workplace. At CSC, our industrial hygiene and environmental professionals offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to help eliminate or mitigate exposures to acrylamide and many other potential hazards.”
 
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about acrylamide and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/lsNsJJuT0uw
 
To learn more about this or other occupational, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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