Acrylamide technical fact sheet
What is Acrylamide?
Acrylamide is a white crystalline solid and is a chemical formed when carbohydrate (starchy) foods are cooked at high temperatures. It is also present in tobacco smoke. Adequate controls for the proper use, handling and storage of Acrylamide reduces the risk of hazardous exposures and illness in the workplace.
Sources of exposure
Acrylamide is used to manufacture polyacrylamide chemicals used in water purification and sewage treatment, paper production, and some cosmetics and soap preparations. It is also used in molecular biology laboratories and in the formulation of Acrylamide grouting agents.
Occupational exposures are likely to result from inhalation of dust and vapour. Absorption through the skin may also be a significant source of exposure.
Health effects
Acrylamide is a potent neurotoxin affecting both the peripheral and central nervous system. It is also a skin and respiratory irritant. Depending on factors such as the concentration and duration of use, can result in different degrees of harm to workers.
Brief (acute) exposure to high concentrations of acrylamide can cause drowsiness and hallucinations.
Exposure to Acrylamide through inhalation can lead to nerve damage, resulting in excessive sweating, especially of extremities.
There may also be neurobehavioral changes, slurred speech, weigh loss with normal appetite and fatigue. Chronic dermal exposure may result in an exfoliative, reddish rash (contact dermatitis).
Other consequences which have been demonstrated in animals following repeated exposure, include carcinogenicity and reproductive effects. Acrylamide is classified as a potential human carcinogen.
Labelling and Safety Data Sheets
Manufacturers and importers of Acrylamide need to ensure that hazardous chemicals are labelled, and Safety Data Sheets are prepared and provided (cl.330 and 335 WHS Regulation 2017).
Suppliers of a hazardous chemical to a workplace must provide current Safety Data Sheets (cl.339).
Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) must correctly label hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored at the workplace, including containers and pipework (cl. 341,342,343). The PCBU must also obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet and make it readily accessible to workers involved in using, handling or storing the hazardous chemical at the workplace (cl. 344).
Workplace exposure standards and air monitoring – WHS Regulation 2017
A PCBU must ensure that a worker is not exposed to airborne chemicals above the workplace exposure standard. Acrylamide has a workplace exposure standard (WES) of 0.03 mg/m3averaged over 8 hours (time weighted average). Risks to health and safety from exposures to hazardous chemicals must, so far as is reasonably practicable, be eliminated (cl. 35). PCBUs must ensure that no person at the workplace is exposed to a substance above its exposure standard (cl. 49) and must reduce exposures so far as is reasonably practicable.
PCBUs must undertake exposure (air) monitoring for substances with an exposure standard if they are not certain (on reasonable grounds) as to whether the exposure standard is exceeded (cl. 50). Adjustments to the exposure standards are made for extended work shifts, considering the longer daily exposure. Air monitoring results must be readily available to workers and records of results kept for 30 years (cl. 50).
A PCBU must review any control measures implemented if a workplace exposure standard for a hazardous chemical has been exceeded (cl. 352).
Health monitoring – WHS Regulation 2017
PCBUs are required to provide health monitoring to workers if there is a significant risk to the worker’s health because of exposure to a hazardous chemical listed in schedule 14 of the WHS Regulation 2017. Acrylamide is not listed in schedule 14, however there remains a requirement to provide health monitoring if there is a significant risk to the worker, and there are valid techniques to detect effects on workers’ health (cl. 368).
In relation to health monitoring, PCBU (cl. 369 to 378) duties include:
- informing workers of the requirements for health monitoring
- using a registered medical practitioner with experience in health monitoring
- providing details to the medical practitioner
- obtaining a copy of the health monitoring report
- providing a copy of the health monitoring report to SafeWork NSW if the worker has developed a disease or injury and/or the report contains any recommendations on remedial measures at the workplace
- keeping records of health monitoring for 30 years.
Control measures
Where risks to health and safety cannot be eliminated the hierarchy of controls must be applied in accordance with cl. 36 of the WHS Regulation 2017 to minimise risks.
- Eliminate the use of Acrylamide if reasonably practicable.
- Employ engineering controls, in particular:
- Installation of automated debagging equipment, isolation, enclosure and extraction of the cutting process during polymer manufacture;
- weighing and decanting of Acrylamide solid (powder) for electrophoresis gel preparation should take place using a fume hood/cupboard;
- where Acrylamide is not used in a closed system (such as laboratories) or is present as a contaminant of workplace air (such as polymerisation vessels and gel processing machinery), good local exhaust ventilation should be ensured.
- Avoid skin contact by wearing chemical-resistant gloves and other personal protective equipment
- Instruct and train workers in the correct fitting, use and maintenance of PPE
- Follow instructions and controls outlined in Safety Data Sheets and product labels
PCBUs must provide suitable information, training, instruction and supervision to workers using, storing and handling hazardous chemicals; regarding the nature of the work, risks and the controls implemented (cl. 39 and 379).
PCBUs with duties under the WHS Regulation 2017 must review and revise control measures, as necessary, to maintain a work environment so far as is reasonably practicable, that is without risk to health or safety (cl. 38).
Where to find more information
Safety Data Sheets
Refer to instructions and controls on the Safety Data Sheets.
NSW Codes of Practice
- Managing the risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace (PDF, 1171.43 KB)
- Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals (PDF, 3030.68 KB)
- Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals (PDF, 1176.83 KB)
Safe Work Australia guidance material
- Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants (2022)
- Guidance on the interpretation of Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants
- Health monitoring for persons conducting a business or undertaking guide
- Health monitoring when you work with hazardous chemicals guide
Australian Standards
AS/NZS 1715;2009 Selection, Use and Maintenance of Respiratory Protection
Poisons Information Centre
In the event of suspected exposure, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Safe disposal information
For information on safe disposal refer to:
- Information labels or Safety Data Sheets
- the Environment Protection Authority
SafeWork NSW
See our Acrylamide page for general information.