BASIC ACRYLIC MONOMER MANUFACTURERS, INC.
Acrylic Acid:
Background Information
ABOUT BAMM
The Basic Acrylic Monomer Manufacturers, Inc. (BAMM) is a trade association of manufacturers and importers of acrylic acid and its basic esters, including butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. BAMM current membership includes: BASF Corporation; ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc.; Celanese Ltd; Rohm and Haas Company; and The Dow Chemical Company.
ABOUT THIS SUMMARY
Basic Acrylic Monomers - acrylic acid and its esters - are versatile chemicals that have widespread use. The manufacturers, and others, have conducted scientific studies on the health and environmental effects of these products. This brochure provides a summary of technical, exposure, and regulatory information for use by government officials, health professionals, and others who would like a brief introduction to the data. This summary includes data that BAMM is aware of as of the date of publication. BAMM has been careful to accurately summarize the data and conclusions; however, new data may be or become available.
Users should also consult their suppliers' Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for up-to-date information and precautions for safe handling and use of these chemical products.
INTRODUCTION
Acrylic acid has served, for more than 30 years, as an essential building block in the production of some of our most commonly used industrial and consumer products.
Approximately two-thirds of the acrylic acid manufactured in the United States is used to produce acrylic esters - methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate - which, when polymerized (see below), are ingredients in paints, coatings, textiles, adhesives, plastics, and many other applications.
The remaining one-third of the acrylic acid is used to produce polyacrylic acid, or crosslinked polyacrylic acid compounds, which have been successfully used in the manufacture of hygienic products, detergents, and waste water treatment chemicals.
Polymerization
Acrylic monomers are highly reactive chemicals and, therefore, are useful, nearly exclusively as intermediates in the production of other materials. For example individual molecules of acrylic acid or esters, called "monomers," readily combine with themselves or other monomers to form long chains of repeating units, or "polymers." The polymers have completely different physical and chemical properties than the constituent monomers.
These polymers can be used in the production of goods that for decades have provided added benefits and convenience to consumers and manufacturers worldwide.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Acrylic acid is a clear, colorless, corrosive liquid.
Molecular Weight 72 Molecular Formula C3H4O2 CAS Number 79-10-7 Boiling Point (°C) 141 Freezing Point (°C) 13 Density (20/20 °C) 1.049 Flash Point (Tag Closed Cup °C) 50 EXPOSURE TO ACRYLIC ACID
Acrylic acid vapor has a very strong acrid odor that allows for early detection of any potential releases. The following table contains a list of current standards for levels to which the standard-setting bodies consider that most workers can be exposed during an 8-hour workday without harmful effects, as well as the results of tests used to determine the levels at which acrylic acid usually will be smelled. As illustrated, acrylic acid odor usually will be detected before it reaches the levels of the current standards. While unpleasant, smelling acrylic acid vapor is not necessarily indicative that such levels have been exceeded.
ACGIH Threshold
Limit Value* (TLV) (ppm)2, skin OSHA Exposure
Limit (ppm)not
establishedOdor Threshold (ppm) 1.04 Because consumer products contain only trace levels of acrylic acid as a result of the polymerization process, consumers are not generally exposed to these compounds in finished products. Although potential for exposure does exist during acrylic acid manufacture, transportation, and use, enclosed systems limit the exposure to worker populations and nearby communities. Employees and contractors involved in acrylic acid manufacturing should wear appropriate safety equipment and undergo special training.
In spite of the manufacturer's efforts to contain the manufacturing process, vapors can potentially escape from leaks in the piping system (including tanks and reactors), during repair or replacement of the piping system, or during removal of samples for quality control purposes. Worker exposure is monitored in manufacturing facilities with specialized monitoring systems. Because odors will be detected at such low levels, leaks should be detected and repaired before a product can cause adverse health effects.
Exposure could also occur during loading, unloading, and transportation of tank trucks, railroad tankers, barges, and drums. However, dedicated systems designed to handle acrylic acid are typically used for loading and unloading purposes and procedures should be in place to minimize spills or leaks during transportation.
TOXICOLOGY PROFILE
The likely primary routes of potential human exposure to acrylic acid are skin contact and inhalation; toxicity is due to tissue damage at the site of contact. Undiluted acrylic acid is a corrosive liquid that can cause permanent tissue damage upon direct contact with the body. Contact with dilute solutions of acrylic acid or acrylic acid vapor can be irritating to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
In animal studies, the irritation caused by repeated exposure to acrylic acid vapor has resulted in nasal lesions. Acrylic acid has not been shown to cause skin sensitization (allergic reaction).
Once absorbed, acrylic acid is rapidly broken down and eliminated, primarily in expired air as carbon dioxide. Toxicity associated with repeated exposures of experimental animals to acrylic acid typically has been comprised of changes in body and organ weights as well as in clinical chemistry. Except for dermal and nasal lesions which have been observed at the site of contact, the microscopic examination of other body tissues post-exposure has been generally unremarkable and has indicated no significant difference compared to non-exposed animals.
Animal exposure studies have not indicated that acrylic acid poses a cancer hazard.
The acute toxicity of acrylic acid to fish and invertebrates ranged from "slightly" toxic to "practically non-toxic." Acrylic acid does not accumulate in the environment. If released to surface water, acrylic acid should all be rapidly biodegraded; some portion should volatilize to the air.
REGULATORY STANDARDS
The manufacture, transportation, and use of acrylic acid are regulated or addressed by a number of government agencies and other expert groups to control exposure to workers and the environment. The following table records major U.S. federal regulatory and similar information as of June 1999. Such regulations frequently change, and many states and localities adopt their own regulations. Therefore, you should consult applicable laws and regulations, as well as the manufacturer's MSDS, for current requirements.
REGULATORY STANDARDS
OSHA PEL no ACGIH TLV® 2ppm skin, A4 IARC 31 NTP BRC no DOT Hazard Class Corrosive, flammable SARA/CERCLA RQ 5000 lbs SARA 313 yes RCRA yes CAA yes CWA no FDA Uses yes2 NFPA Rating:3 · Health 3 · Flammability 2 · Reactivity 2 1 IARC Category 3 - Not Classifiable as to Carcinogenicity to Humans
2 Acrylic acid used as a monomer to make specific polymers is listed for certain specific indirect food additive uses.
3 NFPA Rating Definitions: 3/Health-Materials extremely hazardous to health, but areas may be entered with extreme care; 2/Flammability - Materials that must be moderately heated before ignition will occur; 2/Reactivity-Materials that (in themselves) are normally unstable and readily undergo violent chemical change but do not detonate.
4 ACGIH Category A4 - Not classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
ACRONYM LISTING
ACGIH TLV® American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Threshold Limit Value® CAA Clean Air Act, §112(b) CWA Clean Water Act, §§116.4, 112 App. D, 131.36, 401.15, 423 App. A. DOT Hazard Class Dept. Of Transportation: Hazard Class 49 C.F.R. §172.101 FDA Food & Drug Administration: 21 C.F.R. Parts 174 to 178 IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer NFPA National Fire Protection Association NTP RC National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens OSHA PEL Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Permissible Exposure Limit, 29 C.F.R., Table Z, §1910.1200 RCRA RCRA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 40 C.F.R. §261.33 SARA/CERCLA RQ Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (1986), 40 C.F.R. §375/Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Act (1980), 40 C.F.R. §302.4 Reportable Quantity SARA 313 Section 313 of Title III of SARA - Toxic Release Inventory Reporting & Community Right-To-Know, 40 C.F.R. §72.65 FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information, please contact your supplier or BAMM at the following address:
17260 Vannes Court
Hamilton, VA 20158
Office: 540-751-2093
Email: e.hunt@comcast.netNOTICE
BAMM is a nonprofit, tax-exempt incorporated association, which has developed these materials to provide general background information on acrylic acid and the basic acrylate monomers. Use of this information is voluntary and should only be undertaken after an independent review of the applicable facts and circumstances of particular situations. Users should also consult the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for up-to-date information and precautions for safe handling and use of these chemical products. Although BAMM has made all reasonable efforts to present accurate information and guidance, no guarantees or warranties, including any express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness, are made with respect to this material by BAMM, its officers, directors, members or agents. In addition, no liability, loss or damage is assumed, and all liability for any government fines or penalties, or any other claim, demand, or loss for negligence or misconduct of any kind, is expressly disclaimed, whether direct, indirect, or consequential.