ACRYLAMIDE TOXICITY

Acrylamide is produced as a precursor to polyacrylamides in industry.Human exposure to acrylamide primarily comes from dermal contact with inhalation of dust and vapor in the industrial environment. The public may be exposed to acrylamide through the ingestion of drinking water that is contaminated with acrylamide or the intake of acrylamide from food. Major health effects of acrylamide are skin irritation such as redness and peeling of the skin of palms and neuropathy regarding the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Acute and subacute intoxication with a large dose by ingestion water drink contaminated with acrylamide can cause severe symptoms of the central nervous system. Long term exposure to acrylamide produces a motor and sensory polyneuropathy.  Although severe exposure may result in permanent sequelae, affected humans recovered within several months to one year after cessation of exposure. Central nervous system symptoms : The drowsiness, disturbance of balance and mental changes characterized by confusion, hallucinations, memory loss Peripheral polyneuropathy : numbness of lower limbs, tingling of the fingers, tenderness to the touch, decreased pinprick sensation, vibratory loss, weak or absent tendon reflexes such as knee jerk, positive Romberg’s sign, ataxic gait, foot drop and muscular atrophy of the extremities. Acrylamide reported acute toxicity on the skin and respiratory tract as irritant in human beings. It is also reported to show chronic toxicity as neurotoxicity. To avoid acrylamide toxicity we should keep some precautions like wears protective clothing, gloves, boots, lab-coat and use pipette bulbs when working at risky place. We should not pour it down the drain. Cover the broken dermal route. Avoid direct contact and inhalation.