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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

Synonyms: Acroleic acid, Aqueous acrylic acid (technical grade is 94%), Ethylenecarboxylic acid, Glacial acrylic acid (98% in aqueous solution), 2-Propenoic acid

OSHA IMIS Code Number: 0117

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 79-10-7

NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: AS4375000

Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 2218 132P (inhibited)

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Acrylic acid: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more.

Exposure Limits

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 2 ppm, 5.9 mg/m3 TWA ; Skin; Appendix A4, Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 2 ppm, 6 mg/m3 TWA; Skin

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) carcinogenic classification: Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans [381 KB PDF, 171 pages]

Potential Symptoms: Irritation and corrosion of eyes, skin, respiratory system; cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, burning sensation, labored breathing, pulmonary edema (may be delayed); eye, skin burns, pain, blindness (from contact with liquid); skin sensitization. INGES ACUTE: burning sensation; weakness; abdominal cramps, diarrhea; shock; corrosive; unconsciousness

Health Effects: Irritation-Eyes, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14); Respiratory effects---pulmonary edema (HE11)

Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Note: Metabolized to carbon dioxide and acetyl coenzyme A in a variety of mammalian tissues. There is no OSHA PEL, but some states have standards (see Pohanish, 2002).

Date Last Revised: 01/14/2004

Literature Basis:

  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Acrylic acid.
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO). Acrylic acid.
  • EPA Air Toxics Website. Acrylic Acid. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Network.
  • Black, K.A., Beskitt, J.L., Finch, L., Tallant, M.J., Udinsky, J.R. and Frantz, S.W. Disposition and metabolism of acrylic acid in C3H mice and Fischer 344 rats after oral and cutaneous administration. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 45(3): 291-311, 1995.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Acrylic Acid. In Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 69-71.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:

  • sampling media: Two SKC, Inc. Anasorb 708 Tubes in series
    analytical solvent: Methanol
    maximum volume: 24 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA PV2005)
    method classification: Partially Validated

  • sampling media: Two XAD-8 Tubes in series (XAD-8 is no longer available)
    analytical solvent: (50:50) Methanol/Water
    maximum volume: 24 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min
    current analytical method: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; HPLC/UV
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA 28)
    method classification:Fully Validated

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