Acrylamide

Abstract

Acrylamide, which is known to produce neurotoxic effects in man and many experimental animals, is a white, odourless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. Commercially produced since 1954, acrylamide and its derivatives are primarily used in the production of polymers and copolymers having a large market as flocculating agents in the treatment of sewage, wastewater, and drinking water. The ingestion of contaminated drinking water can pose an important health risk for man. This document utilizes well over 200 references to clarify current knowledge on the health consequences of exposure to acrylamide. Concern over neurotoxic effects is reflected in a detailed section in which conclusions are drawn on the basis of considerable animal research