ƒ TM The ToxGuide is developed to be used as a pocket guide. Tear off at perforation and fold along lines.

Toxicokinetics and Biomarkers/Environmental Sources of Exposure Normal Human Levels Levels ToxGuideTM

General Populations Toxicokinetics Biomarkers ƒ Exposure may occur through inhalation, ƒ Based on animal data, approximately ƒ No biomarkers of exposure or effect for ingestion, and dermal contact. 80–90% of inhaled acrolein is absorbed; have been identified for acrolein. ƒ Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is most in the upper respiratory tract. the primary source of exposure for many ƒ In vitro studies suggest that acrolein will Environmental Levels individuals. form conjugates with glutathione. Air Acrolein ƒ Widespread exposure occurs due to the ƒ Following oral exposure in animals, formation of acrolein during the heating approximately 30% of the initial dose is ƒ Acrolein levels in outdoor air averaged from 0.5 to 3.186 ppb. of fats. expired as carbon dioxide and 50-60% is CH2=CH-CHO ƒ The general population may also be excreted in the urine. ƒ Acrolein in indoor air ranged from <0.02 to 12 ppb in residential homes. exposed to high concentrations from CAS# 107-02-8 vehicle exhaust (for example, parking Normal Human Levels Sediment and Soil October 2007 garages and/or heavy traffic). ƒ ƒ No data available No data are available on actual ƒ Acrolein is also present in certain foods measurements of acrolein in soil.

such as raw cocoa beans, chocolate Water U.S. Department of Health and liquor, fried potatoes and onions, raw and ƒ Acrolein has not been found as a Human Services cooked turkey, heated animal fats and contaminant of drinking water. Public Health Service vegetable oils, and roasted coffee. Agency for Toxic Substances

and Disease Registry www.atsdr.cdc.gov Occupational Populations Reference ƒ Potential for exposure may occur during Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Contact Information: the combustion and pyrolysis of materials Registry (ATSDR). 2007. Toxicological Division of Toxicology such as wood, petrochemcial fuels, and Profile for Acrolein. Atlanta, GA: U.S. plastics. and Environmental Medicine Department of Health and Human Applied Toxicology Branch ƒ Workers involved in the production of Services, Public Health Services. acrylates, methionine, perfumes, plastics, 1600 Clifton Road NE, F-32 refrigerants, rubber, or textile resins may Atlanta, GA 30333 be exposed to acrolein. 1-800-CDC-INFO ƒ Workers involved in welding or heating 1-800-232-4636 painted metal may be exposed to www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxpro2.html acrolein. ƒ Firefighters are at risk of exposure to acrolein from house fires and wild fires.

TM The ToxGuide is developed to be used as a pocket guide. Tear off at perforation and fold along lines.

Chemical and Physical Information Routes of Exposure Relevance to Public Health (Health Effects)

Acrolein is a liquid ƒ Inhalation – The predominant route of Health effects are determined Health Effects exposure for the general population and ƒ Acrolein is a colorless or yellow liquid by the dose (how much), the ƒ Nasal irritation appears to be the most workers. with a disagreeable odor. duration (how long), and the sensitive respiratory effect. ƒ Oral - Small amounts of acrolein may be ƒ Acrolein is primarily used as an route of exposure. ƒ Acrolein may affect the entire respiratory found in certain foods (fried foods, intermediate in chemical manufacturing tract, from the nasal epithelium to the cooking oils, and roasted coffee), but the and as a biocide. alveolar spaces. amount in the food you eat is not known. Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) ƒ Acrolein can be formed in burning No significant acrolein exposure is Inhalation ƒ In general, individuals with emphysema tobacco, wood, plastics, gasoline and expected from ingestion of drinking or allergic conditions such as asthma will diesel fuel, paraffin wax, and in the water. ƒ An MRL of 0.003 ppm has been derived be at a higher risk of developing adverse heating of animal and vegetable fats and for acute-duration inhalation exposure respiratory responses when exposed to a ƒ Dermal – Minor route of exposure. oils at high temperatures. (≤14 days). strong respiratory irritant such as

ƒ Acrolein is also found naturally in the ƒ An MRL of 0.00004 ppm has been acrolein. body in very small amounts. Acrolein in the Environment derived for intermediate-duration ƒ Irritation of gastrointestinal mucosa ƒ Acrolein in air is rapidly removed by inhalation exposure (15-364 days). appears to be the primary effect of oral reacting with photochemically generated ƒ No chronic-duration inhalation MRL was exposure to acrolein. hydroxyl radicals. derived for acrolein. ƒ Oral acrolein exposure may result in ƒ Acrolein is expected to volatilize rapidly Oral gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, and from surface water and soil. Degradation ƒ No acute-duration oral MRL was derived stomach ulceration and/or hemorrhage. in water, soil, and air occurs quickly. for acrolein. Thus, environmental persistence is not ƒ An MRL of 0.004 mg/kg/day has been Children’s Health expected. derived for intermediate-duration oral ƒ In general, children are not likely to be exposure (15-364 days). affected by acrolein more than adults. ƒ No chronic-duration oral MRL was ƒ Largest source of acrolein exposure for derived for acrolein. children living with individuals who smoke is through inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). ƒ For children without exposure to ETS, their main exposures to acrolein are expected to be similar to the general population.