This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about acrolein. For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. This information is important because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

Acrolein is a clear or yellow liquid with a disagreeable odor. It dissolves in water very easily and quickly changes to a vapor when heated. It also burns easily. Small amounts of acrolein can be formed and can enter the air when trees, tobacco, other plants, gasoline, and oil are burned. Acrolein is used as a pesticide to control algae, weeds, bacteria, and mollusks. It is also used to make other chemicals.

• Acrolein may be found in soil, water, or air.
• It breaks down fairly rapidly in the air (about half will disappear within 1 day) by reacting with other chemicals and sunlight.
• Acrolein evaporates rapidly from soil and water.
• Once dissolved in water, acrolein can be broken down to other chemicals by reactions with water or bacteria.
• Acrolein does not build up in the food chain.

• Breathing contaminated air near hazardous waste sites that contain acrolein. 
• Smoking tobacco or breathing air containing tobacco smoke or automobile exhaust. 
• Working in, or living near, industries where it is manufactured or used to make other chemicals. 
• Drinking water containing small amounts of acrolein. 
• Eating foods, such as fried foods and roasted coffee, that may contain small amounts of acrolein.

There is very little information about how exposure to acrolein affects people's health. The information we have indicates that breathing large amounts damages the lungs and could cause death. Breathing lower amounts may cause eye watering and burning of the nose and throat and a decreased breathing rate.

Animal studies show that breathing acrolein causes irritation to the nasal cavity, lowered breathing rate, and damage to the lining of the lungs.

We do not know if acrolein causes reproductive effects or birth defects in people or animals.

There are no definitive studies on the carcinogenic effects of acrolein in people or animals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that acrolein is not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.

Methods have been developed to detect acrolein or breakdown products of acrolein in biological or environmental samples; however, there are no specific medical tests available in a doctor's office to determine if you have been exposed to acrolein.

The EPA recommends that levels in lakes and streams should be limited to 0.32 parts of acrolein per million parts of water (0.32 ppm) to prevent possible health effects from drinking water or eating fish contaminated with acrolein. Any release to the environment of more than 1 pound of acrolein must be reported to the EPA. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 0.1 ppm over an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. 

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that average workplace air should not exceed 0.1 ppm acrolein averaged over a 10-hour period or a 40-hour workweek. 

The federal recommendations have been updated as of July 1999.

Carcinogenicity:  Ability to cause cancer.

CAS:  Chemical Abstracts Service.

Evaporate:  To change into a vapor or a gas.

National Priorities List:  A list of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites.

Pesticide:  A substance that kills pests.

ppm: Parts per million.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents. Volume III – Medical Management Guidelines for Acute Chemical Exposures: Acrolein. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1990. Toxicological Profile for acrolein. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

For more information, contact:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX:   (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov