Evaluation of Occupational Acrylamide Exposures

Abstract

Since commercial production of acrylamide began in 1954, there have been at least 60 reported cases of acrylamide poisoning resulting in peripheral neuropathy in workers. All of these cases except one have involved occupational exposure to acrylamide monomerfrom either acrylamide and/or Polyacrylamide manufacturing, or acrylamide grouting. Because of a lack of adequate exposure data for these reported cases of acrylamide intoxication and for current work environment conditions, investigators from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have undertaken a study to evaluate exposures in four acrylamide-polyacrylamide manufacturing plants and atone sewergrouting site. Ninety-one personal eight-hourtime-weighted average (TWA) exposures from 81 workers in the manufacturing plants had airborne acrylamide levels ranging from 0.001 to 0.392 mg/m³ with a geometric mean of 0.036 mg/m³. The mean exposure level for monomer operators was 0.065 mg/m³; polymer operators, 0.031 mg/m³; and maintenance personnel, 0.013 mg/m³. A greater range of exposures occurred between the manufacturing plants. One facility, which produced a dry and an aqueous acrylamide, had a geometric mean acrylamide exposure level 16 times higher than the level found at another slightly smaller plant that produced acrylamide in solution. At the sewer-line repair site, where two workers applied an acrylamide grout, acrylamide exposures were only 0.002 and 0.007 mg/m³. Although the sewer repair workers had very low inhalation exposures, they were at high risk of being dermally exposed to acrylamide. Hills, B. W.; Greife, A. L.: Evaluation of occupational acrylamide exposures.