Media Release - MINIMISE OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO
ACRYLAMIDE SAYS REPORT
05 Feb 2002
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
(NICNAS) today released for public comment a draft report on the
hazardous industrial chemical acrylamide, after concerns were raised
over possible human health and environmental hazards.
Large quantities of acrylamide are imported into Australia annually and
used primarily by industry to manufacture other chemicals known as
polyacrylamides.
The main uses of polyacrylamides are as flocculants for drinking water
and sewage treatment and for treating industrial effluent/wastewater,
for example, from mining and paper/pulp manufacture. Other uses of
polyacrylamides are in surface coatings and adhesives, textile dyeing,
leather processing, paper and cardboard manufacture and in cosmetics.
Smaller amounts of acrylamide are used by research laboratories. Despite
information on the import of acrylamide grouts, no importers or users
were found during the assessment.
Risk to the general public of exposure to acrylamide is low. Skin
contact or inhalation may lead to serious health effects.
The report recommends a number of measures to reduce occupational risk,
including amendments to the hazard classification and concentration
cut-off limits, establishment of formal health surveillance guidelines,
notification by companies planning to introduce and/or use acrylamide-based
grouts, improved workplace control measures, air monitoring and
additions to MSDS and labels.
Submissions must be received by 5 March 2002.
About NICNAS
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
(NICNAS) operates under the Commonwealth Industrial Chemicals
(Notification and Assessment) Act 1989.
NICNAS is a statutory scheme within the portfolio of the Minister for
Health and Ageing. Its approach to the scientific assessment of
chemicals covers toxicity, exposure and use to assess the environmental,
public health and occupational health and safety risk. For more
information see the web site
www.nicnas.gov.au
Further information
Nick Miller, NICNAS, (02) 8577 8810 or 0407 228 285
