OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet                                  EPA 749-F-94-006

      CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: ACRYLIC ACID (CAS NO. 79-10-7)
                                prepared by
                  OFFICE OF POLLUTON PREVENTION AND TOXICS
                    U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                              September 1994
__________________________________________________________________________

Chemicals can be released to the environment as a result of their 
manufacture, processing, and use.  EPA has developed information 
summaries on selected 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 additional 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 IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED?

     Acrylic acid is a colorless, corrosive 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 companies 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 superabsorbent polyacrylic 
acid polymers.  Companies also use acrylic acid to make oil treatment 
chemicals, detergent intermediates, 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 urine.

WHAT HAPPENS TO ACRYLIC ACID IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

     Acrylic acid evaporates when exposed to air.  It dissolves when 
mixed with water.  Most direct releases of acrylic acid to the environ-
ment 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 condition 
of the environment when exposure occurs.  

     Breathing acrylic acid vapors for short periods of time irritates 
the human respiratory system.  Direct contact with liquid acrylic acid 
irritates the skin and eyes.

Human health effects associated 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 request 
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 reproductive system or on the development of the 
fetus of animals.

     Acrylic acid by itself is not likely to cause environmental harm at 
levels normally found in the environment.  Acrylic acid can contribute to 
the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile 
organic carbon substances in air.


WHAT EPA PROGRAM OFFICES REGULATE ACRYLIC ACID, AND UNDER WHAT LAWS IS
IT REGULATED?
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  EPA OFFICE            LAW                                PHONE NUMBER
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  Pollution Prevention  Toxic Substances Control Act       (202) 554-1404
   & Toxics             Emergency Planning and Community
                          Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
                          Regulations (Sec. 313)           (800) 424-9346
                          Toxics Release Inventory data    (202) 260-1531
  Air                   Clean Air Act                      (919) 541-0888
  Solid Waste &         Comprehensive Environmental
   Emergency Response    Response, Compensation, and
                         Liability Act (Superfund)/
                        Resource Conservation and Recovery
                         Act / EPCRA (Sec. 304/311/312)    (800) 424-9346

A technical support document can be requested from the TSCA Assistance
Information Service, (202) 554-1404.


WHAT OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES OR GROUPS CAN I CONTACT FOR INFORMATION ON
ACRYLIC ACID?
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  AGENCY/GROUP                                              PHONE NUMBER
__________________________________________________________________________
  American Conference of Governmental Industrial
    Hygienists                                             (513) 742-2020
  Consumer Product Safety Commission                       (301) 504-0994
  Food and Drug Administration                             (301) 443-3170
    National Institute for Occupational Safety
   and Health (NIOSH)                                      (800) 356-4674