WHAT EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE ACRYLIC ACID, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS IT REGULATED?

EPA OFFICE Law PHONE NUMBER

Polluuon Prevention & Toxics Toxic Substances Control Act (202) 554-1404

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Regulations (§ 313) (800) 535-0202

Toxics Release Inventory data (202) 260-1531

Air Clean Air Act (919) 541-0888

Solid Waste & Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) (800) 535-0202
Emergency Response Resource Conservation and Recovery Act / EPCRA (§ 304/311/312)

A technical support document is available from the TSCA Assistance Information Service, (202) 554-1404.

WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON ACRYLIC ACID?

AGENCY/GROUP PHONE NUMBER
Amenican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ($13) 742-2020
Consumer Product Safety Commission (301) 504-0994
Food and Drug Administration (301) 443-3170

National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (EnviroHealth Clearinghouse) (800) 643-4794
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (800) 356-4674



condition of the environment when
exposure occurs

Breathing acrylic acid va-
pors for short periods of time irn-
tates the human respiratory system
Direct contact with liquid acrylic
acid irmitates the skin and eyes.

Human health effects asso-
ciated with breathing or otherwise
consuming small amounts of acrylic
acid over long periods of time are not
known. Laboratory studies show
that repeat exposure to acrylic acid
vapor damages the lining of the nose
of animals. The acrylic acid industry
has recently completed several
animal studies in response to an EPA
frequest for testing. Acrylic acid
causes reduced birth weight in pups
of animals consuming acrylic acid in
drinking water. These studies report
no other adverse effects on the re-
productive system or on the devel-
opment of the fetus of animals

Acrylic acid by itself is not
likely to cause environmental harm
at levels normally found in the en-
vironment. Acrylic acid can con-
tribute to the formation of photo-
chemical smog when it reacts with
other volatile organic carbon sub-
stance in air.


EPA 749 F 94 006
nental Protection December 1994

Oftice of Poliution Prevention and Toxics (7401)

SEPA Chemicals in the
Environment

ACRYLIC ACID

(CAS NO. 79-10-7)



Chemicals can be released to the envi-
ronment as a result of their manufacture,
processing, and use. The EPA has de-
veloped information summaries on se-
lected chemicals to describe how you
might be exposed to these chemicals,
how exposure to them might affect you
and the environment, what happens to
them in the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for addi-
tional information. EPA is committed to
reducing environmental releases of
chemicals through source reduction and
other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants

WHAT IS ACRYLIC ACID, HOW
1S IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I
BE EXPOSED?

Acrylic acid is a colorless, cor-
rosive liquid It occurs naturally, being
produced by several species of marine
algae and in the stomach of sheep. It is
produced in very large amounts (1 1
billion pounds in 1991) by four com-
panies in the United States. US demand
for acrylic acid is increasing at a rate of
4 to 5 percent per year. The largest users
of acrylic acid are companies that make
acrylic esters and resins, chemicals
added to protective surface coatings and
adhesives. The fastest growing use of
acrylic acid is in the production of su-
perabsorbent polyacrylic acid polymers.
Companies also use acrylic acid to make
oil treatment chemicals, detergent in-
termediates, and water treatment
chemicals


Exposure to acrylic acid can occur
in the workplace or in the environment
following releases to air, water, land, or
groundwater. Acrylic acid enters the body
when breathed in with contaminated air or
when consumed with contaminated food or
water. It can also be absorbed through skin
contact. It does not remain in the body due
to its removal in expired air and in unne

WHAT HAPPENS TO ACRYLIC
ACID IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

Acrylic acid evaporates when ex-
posed to air. It dissolves when mixed with
water. Most direct releases of acrylic acid to
the environment are to underground sites or
to air Once in air, acrylic acid breaks down
to other chemicals. Microorganisms that
live in water and in soil can also break down
acrylic acid. Because it is a liquid that does
not bind well to soil, acrylic acid that makes
its way into the ground can move through
the ground and enter groundwater. Plants
and animals are not likely to store acrylic
acid

HOW DOES ACRYLIC ACID AFFECT
HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?

Effects of acrylic acid on human
health and the environment depend on how
much acrylic acid is present and the length
and frequency of exposure. Effects also
depend on the health of a person or the