Contents - Previous - Next


5.4.4 Information sheets arranged according to chemical substances and groups of substances - in alphabetical order

Acrolein
Aldrin
Antimony
Arsenic
Asbestos
Atrazine
Barium
Benzene
Beryllium
Bromine
Cadmium
Carbaryl
Carbon monoxide
Chlordane
Chlorinated naphthalenes
Chlorine
Chloroform
Chlorophenols
Chromium
Cobalt
Copper
Cresols
DDT
2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid
Dichlorvos
Dieldrin
Dinitro-o-cresol
Dioxins
Endosulfan
Endrin
Epichlorohydrin
Formaldehyde
Hexachlorobenzene
Hydrogen fluoride
Hydrogen sulphide
Lead and its inorganic compounds
Lead and its organic compounds
Lindane
Malathion
Mercury
Methyl bromide
Naphthalene
Nickel
Nitrate
Nitrogen oxides
Ozone
Paraquat
Parathion
Phenol
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Pyridine
Sulphur dioxide
Tetrachloroethene
Thallium
Toluene
1,1,1-trichloroethane
Trichloroethene
2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid
Vanadium
Vinyl chloride
Zinc

Acrolein

DESIGNATIONS

CAS No.: 107-02-8
Registry name: Acrolein
Chemical name: 2-Propenal
Synonyms, Trade names: Propenal, acrylaldehyde, allylaldehyde
Chemical name (German): Acrolein, 2-Propenal
Chemical name (French): Acroléine, 2-propénal
Appearance: colourless or yellowish liquid with penetrating odour

BASIC CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL DATA

Empirical formula: C3H4O
Rel. molecular mass: 56.06 g
Density: 0.84 g/cm3
Relative gas density: 1.94
Boiling point: 52.5°C
Melting point: -87°C
Vapour pressure: 29.3 x 103 Pa
Flash point: -26°C (closed cup)
Ignition temperature: 280°C
Explosion limits: 2.8 - 31 vol.% (in air)
Odour threshold: 0.2-0.4 ppm
Solvolysis/solubility:

in water: 21.4 wt%
soluble in organic solvents

Conversion factors:

1 ppm = 2.33 mg/m3
1 mg/m3 = 0.43 ppm

ORIGIN AND USE

Usage:

Acrolein is an important intermediate used mainly for the production of D,L-methionine (essential amino acid as an animal feed supplement) or acrylic acid (used to make acrylates). Furthermore, it is used as a very effective broad spectrum aquatic biocide e.g. to control the growth of aquatic weeds. On account of its low odour and irritation threshold, acrolein is added to other highly toxic substances as a warning agent.

Origin/derivation:

Acrolein is produced by heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase oxidation of propene. Acrylic acid and carbon oxides are the by-products of this reaction.

Toxicity

Humans: LCLo 153 ppm, inhalation (10 min) acc. UBA, 1986
TCLo 1 ppm, inhalation acc. UBA, 1986
TCLo 330 ppb, inhalation (child, 2 h) acc. UBA, 1986
Mammals:
Rat: LCLo 8 ppm, inhalation (4h) acc. UBA, 1986
LD50 46 mg/kg, oral acc. UBA, 1986
LD50 50 mg/kg, subcutaneous acc. UBA, 1986
Mouse: LC50 66 ppm, inhalation (6 h) acc. UBA, 1986
LD50 40 mg/kg, oral acc. UBA, 1986
LDLo 2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal acc. UBA, 1986
Aquatic organisms:
Fish: 1-5 ppm lethal acc. UBA, 1986
Aquatic plants: 1.5-7.5 mg/l toxic acc. UBA, 1986
Cold-blooded animals: 0.05-5 mg/l toxic acc. UBA, 1986

Characteristic effects:

Humans/mammals: Poisoning results in severe irritation of the eyes, the skin and the respiratory organs as well as the gastro-intestinal region. Slight exposure causes disorders of the central nervous system accompanied by dizziness, drowsiness and loss of consciousness. High concentrations cause severe burns as well as bronchitis, pneumonia and pulmonary oedemas. A mutagenic effect has only been observed to date amongst protozoons.

ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR

Acrolein is a poisonous, highly flammable and volatile liquid which is a hazard to all types of water and in particular to drinking water (water hazard class 2). Extremely small concentrations are sufficient (as a function of the pH) to have a toxic effect on aquatic organisms.

Acrolein is a constituent part of photochemical smog and - in addition to oxidation in air - is photolysed to form carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and water as well as unsaturated hydrocarbons.

On the whole, acrolein is not very persistent, highly reactive and capable of being subjected to relatively rapid physical and chemical degradation. There is presumed to be no bioaccumulation (KOCH, 1989).

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Medium/
acceptor

Sector

Country/ organ.

Status

Value

Cat.

Remarks

Source

Air:   D

L

0.01 mg/m3   Long-time value acc. BAUM, 1988
  D

L

0.025 mg/m3   Short-time value acc. BAUM, 1988
Emiss. D

L

20 mg/m3   mass flow > 0,1 kg/h acc. TA Luft, 1986
  DDR

(L)

0.02 mg/m3   Short-time value acc. HORN, 1989
  DDR

(L)

0.01 mg/m3   Long-time value acc. HORN, 1989
  H

(L)

0.1 mg/m3     acc. STERN, 1986
  IL

(L)

0.1 mg/m3   24 h acc. STERN, 1977
  IL

(L)

0.25 mg/m3   30 min acc. STERN, 1977
  SU

(L)

0.03 mg/m3   24 h, 30 min acc. STERN, 1977
Workp D

L

0.25 mg/m3 MAK   DFG, 1989
Workp DDR

(L)

0.3 mg/m3   Short-time value acc. HORN, 1989
Workp SU

(L)

0.2 mg/m3     acc. SORBE, 1989
Workp USA

(L)

0.25 mg/m3 TWA   ACGIH, 1986
Workp USA

(L)

0.8 mg/m3 STEL   ACGIH, 1986

Assessment/comments

In view of the fact that acrolein is a considerable hazard to water, its use is to be avoided in the vicinity of water reclamation sites and groundwater recharge areas. A comprehensive assessment cannot yet be given on account of the lack of findings with regard to environmental behaviour and toxicity.


Contents - Previous - Next