. "Appendix B: Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries." Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 1995.
The following HTML text is provided to enhance online
readability. Many aspects of typography translate only awkwardly to HTML.
Please use the page image
as the authoritative form to ensure accuracy.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals
LABORATORY CHEMICAL SAFETY SUMMARY: ACROLEIN
Substance
Acrolein
(Acrylaldehyde, acrylic aldehyde, 2-propenal)
CAS 107-02-8
Formula
H2C = CHCHO
Physical Properties
Colorless to yellow liquid
bp 53 °C, mp -87 °C
Highly soluble in water (21 g/100 mL)
Odor
Pungent, lacrimatory, intensely irritating odor detectable at 0.02 to 0.4 ppm
Vapor Density
1.9 (air = 1.0)
Vapor Pressure
210 mmHg at 20 °C
Flash Point
-26 °C
Autoignition Temperature
234 °C
Toxicity Data
LD50 oral (rat)
42 to 46 mg/kg
LD50 skin (rabbit)
562 mg/kg
LC50 inhal (rat)
300 mg/m3(30 min)
PEL (OSHA)
0.1 ppm (0.25 mg/m3)
STEL (OSHA)
0.3 ppm (0.69 mg/m3)
TLV-TWA (ACGIH)
0.1 ppm (0.23 mg/m3)
STEL (ACGIH)
0.3 ppm (0.69 mg/m3)
Major Hazards
Highly toxic; causes severe irritation and corrosion of skin, eyes, nose, and respiratory system; highly flammable; may polymerize violently upon loss or removal of inhibitor or initiation by chemical agents.
Toxicity
Acrolein is a highly toxic and corrosive substance. Inhalation of acrolein can cause moderate to severe eye, nose, and respiratory system irritation after a few minutes of exposure to concentrations as low as 0.25 ppm. Higher concentrations can cause immediate and/ or delayed lung injury including pulmonary edema and respiratory insufficiency; fatal reactions have occurred upon exposure to as little as 10 ppm. This substance is a powerful lacrimator, and eye contact with acrolein liquid or vapor can cause severe burns. Skin contact can cause severe redness, swelling, burns with blistering, and corrosion. Acrolein can be absorbed through the skin, leading to systemic effects including delayed pulmonary edema. Ingestion of acrolein can cause gastrointestinal distress, pulmonary congestion, and edema. Acrolein has been reported to be a weak skin sensitizer in some individuals. This substance is regarded as having adequate warning properties.
