Reduced body weights and altered organ weights were observed in rats orally exposed to acrylic acid. Decreased body weight gain and decreased fertility were reported in one study of rats exposed to acrylic acid by ingestion although the decrease in fertility was not statistically significant compared with the control. In one study, squamous cell carcinomas of the skin were reported in mice treated topically with acrylic acid. Other animal studies have not reported carcinogenic effects. EPA has not classified acrylic acid for carcinogenicity.
Acrylic acid occurs as a corrosive, colorless liquid that is miscible with water.
Acrylic acid has an acrid odor with an odor threshold of 0.094 ppm. Acrylic acid is also used as a chemical intermediate. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens .