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Data bank of environmental chemicals     |     The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
 


28.3.2024

Data bank of environmental properties of chemicals


Chemical
Acrylic acid
CAS-number :
79-10-7
 
Synonyms :
2-propenoic acid
acroleic acid
acrylic acid inhibited
Akryylihappo
ethylene carboxylic acid
propene acid
propenoic acid
vinylformic acid
 
Sumformula of the chemical :
CH2=CHCOOH C3H4O2
EINECS-number :
2011779
 
State and appearance :
Colorless liquid
 
Odor :
Characteristic.

Quality; rancid, sweet.

Hedonic tone: unpleasant.

Threshold Odour Concentration:
absolute: 0.094 ppm
50 % recognition: 1.04 ppm
100 % recognition: 1.04 ppm.

(Verschueren 1983).

Quality: rancid, sweet
Hedonic tone: unpleasant
Threshold odour concentration:
absolute: 0.094 ppm
50 % recognition: 1.04 ppm
100 % recognition: 1.04 ppm
Odour index 100 % recognition: 105 700
(Hellman & Small 1974)

Acrid. 
Quality: rancid, sweet; hedonic tone: unpleasant. 

Distinctive, acrid odor (HSDB 2001).
 
Molecular weight :
72.06
 
Spesicif gravity (water=1) :
1.06  at 16 °C
1.05  at 20 °C, HSDb 2001
 
Vapor density (air=1) :
2.5 
 
Conversion factor, 1 ppm in air=_mg/m3 :
mg/m3
 
Conversion factor, 1 mg/m3 in air=_ppm :
0.33  ppm
 
Vapor pressure, mmHg :
3.2  at 20 °C
10  at 39 °C
3.97  at 25 °C, HSDB 2001
7.76  at 20 °C, Riddick et al. 1986
 
Water solubility, mg/l :
1000000  at 25 °C, HSDB 2001
 
Melting point, °C :
12  12 - 14 °C
14 
12.3  HSDB 2001
 
Boiling point, °C :
141 
 
pKa :
4.247  Serjeant et al. 1979
4.25  HSDB 2001
 
Log octanol/water coefficient, log Pow :
0.31 
0.161  estimated, GEMS 1986
0.35  HSDB 2001
0.44  LOGKOW 1994
 
Henry's law constant, Pa x m3/mol :
0.04195  calc. Yaws et al. 1991
0.0375  Singh et al. 1984
0.032  HSDB 2001
0.041  HAZARDTEXT 2001
 
Volatilization :
Acrylic acid is nonvolatile because its Henry's Law constant is
low (Lyman et al. 1982).

The vapor pressure of acrylic acid would suggest that it should
volatilize to some extent from surface and dry soil (Howard 
1989).

The Henry's Law constant for acrylic acid is 3.2X10-7
atm-m3/mol. 
This constant indicates that acrylic acid is
expected to volatilize slowly from water and moist soil
surface. 
Based on this Henry's Law constant the volatilization
half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind
velocity of 3 m/sec is estimated as approx. 96 days. 
The
volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing
0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec is estimated as approx.
700 days. 
A pKa of 4.25 for acrylic acid indicates that it will
exist primarily in the anionic form under environmental
conditions and the anionic form is expected to volatilize more
slowly than the unionized form (HSDB 2001).
 
Adsorption/desorption :
Acrylic acid is miscible with water and therefore would not be
expected to adsorb significantly to soil or sediment (Lyman 
et al. 1982).

The adsorption and desorption of acrylic acid were examined on
five different soils (an aquatic sandy loam sediment, a loamy
sand, a clay loam and two loams). 
The Freundlic coefficient for
the adsorption phase ranged from 0.21 to 0.63 or when related
to the organic carbon content of the soil, Koc-values ranged
from 6 to 137 (average 43). 
The Koc-values for the three
desorption phases were more widely scattered with values
ranging from 18 to 837 (IUCLID 2000).
 
Mobility :
The Koc of acrylic acid is 43. 
This Koc suggests that acrylic 
acid is expected to have very high mobility in soil. 
A pKa of 
4.25 indicated that acrylic acid should exist predominantly in 
the anionic form under environmental conditions of pH 5-9, 
suggesting even higher mobility of acrylic acid in soil (HSDB 
2001).
 
Other physicochemical properties :
Miscible. 
(Riddick et al. 1986).
 
Photochemical degradation in air :
The UV absorption band of acrylic acid extends to about 320 nm.

(Sadtler).

Acrylic acid reacts with photochemically produced hydroxyl
radicals primarily by addition to the double bond and with
atmospheric ozone resulting in an estimated overall half-life
of 6.6 hr (GEMS 1986).

Photooxidation half-life:
2.5hr - 23.8hr,
scientific judgement based upon an estimated rate constant for
the vapor phase reaction with hydroxyl radicals and ozone in
air (Howard 1991).

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of acrylic acid
with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals has been
estimated as 9.7X10-12 cm3/mole-sec at 25 °C using a structure
estimation method. 
This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life
of about 2 days at an atmospheeric concn of 5X10+5 hydroxyl
radicals per cm3 (HSDB 2001).

The rate constant for the vapor-phse reaction of acrylic acid
with ozone has been estimated as 1.8X10-18 cm3/mole-sec at 25
°C using a structure estimation method. 
This corresponds to an
atmospheric half-life of about 7 days at an atmospheric concn
of 7X10+11 mole/cm3 (HSDB 2001).

If released into the atmosphere acrylic acid will react with
photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals and ozone resulting
in an overall estimated half-life of 14.6 h (IUCLID 2000).

In the atmosphere acrylic acid has an estimated half-life of
6.6 h (acrylic acid will react with ozone and hydroxyl
radicals) (IUCLID 2000).
 
Half-life in air, days :
0.1  2.5hr - 23.8hr,
0.99  scientific judgement based upon estimated
  photooxidation half-life in air,
  Howard 1991
 
Half-life in soil, days :
1d - 7d,
scientific judgement based upon estimated
  unacclimated aqueous aerobic biodegradation
  half-life,
  Howard 1991
 
Half-life in water, days :
1d - 7d,
in surface water, scientific judgement based
  upon estimated unacclimated aqueous aerobic
  biodegradation half-life,
48hr - 4320hr,
17.9  in ground water, scientific judgement based upon
  estimated unacclimated aqueous aerobic
  and anaerobic biodegradation half-lives,
  Howard 1991
 
Aerobic degradation in water :
In a 42-screening study using a sewage seed inoculum, 71% of
acrylic acid was mineralized. 
After acclimation 81% was
degraded to CO2 in 22 days (Chou 1978).

Acrylic acid has been reported to be significantly degraded in
the MITI test (Sasaki 1978).

When added to water, acrylic acid is rapidly oxidized and
wastewater containing the compound can deplete reservoirs of
oxygen (Ekhina 1977).

Aerobic half-life:
1d - 7d,
scientific judgement based upon unacclimated aqueous screening
test data (Howard 1991).
 
Anaerobic degradation in water :
Acrylic acid is amenable to anaerobic treatment and in an
anaerobic screening study utilizing 10% sludge from secondary
digester as an inoculum, acrylic acid was judged to be
degradable with >75% of theoretical methane being produced in 8
weeks of incubation (Speece 1983) (Shelton & Tiedje 1984).

In a study acrylic acid was toxic to unacclimated anaerobic
acetate-enriched cultures and was poorly utilized (21%) in a
completely mixed anaerobic reactor with a 20-day hydraulic
retention time after a 90-day acclimation period. 
A possible
resolution between the conflicting results for anaerobic
degradation is the observation that acetate cultures have to
exhaust the acetic acid as a carbon and energy source before
utilizing a cross-fed compound (Chou 1978).

Anaerobic half-life
4w - 6mo,
scientific judgement based upon unacclimated anaerobic reactor
test data (Howard 1991).
 
Total degradation in water :
Biodegradation:
68% by BOD
period: 14d
substance: 100 mg/l
sludge: 30 mg/l
(MITI 1992)

Biodegradation:
type: aerobic
inoculum: activated sludge
concentration: 3 mg/l related to test substance
degradation: 81 % after 28 day
methos: OECD Guide-line 301 D
(IUCLID 2000).

Biodegradation:
type: aerobic
inoculum: activated sludge
concentration: 200 mg/l related to DOC
degradation: 100 % after 28 day
result: inherently biodegradable
method: OECD Guide-line 302 B
(IUCLID 2000).
 
Ready biodegradability :
Confirmed to be biodegradable (Anon. 1987).
 
Other information of bioaccumulation :
A estimated BCF value is 0.78. 
This indicates that
bioconcentration in aquatic organisms should be negligible
(Lyman et al. 1982).

An estimated BCF og 1 was calculated for acrylic acid using a
log Kow of 0.35 and a regression-derived equation. 
This BCF
suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic
organisms is low (HSDB 2001).
 
LD50 values to mammals in oral exposure, mg/kg :
2500  orl-rat, Verschueren 1983
 
LD50 values to birds in oral exposure, mg/kg :
98  >98, orl-Agelaius phoeniceus
  Schafer et al. 1983
 
Effects on microorganisms :
Toxicity threshold (cell multiplication inhibition test):
bacteria (Pseudomonas putida) 41 mg/l
(Bringmann & Kühn 1980a)
 
EC50 values to algae, mg/l :
0.04  0.04 - 0.13 mg/l, 72 hr, Scenedesmus subspicatus
0.13 
0.17  96 hr, Selenastrum capricornutum
0.63  0.63 - 1.53 mg/l, 72 hr, Chlorella vulgaris,
1.53  OECD Guide-line 201
  IUCLID 2000
 
LOEC values to algae, mg/l :
0.15  rpd, act, Microcystis aeruginosa,
  Bringmann & Kuhn 1976
  --
18  rpd, act, Scenedesmus quadricauda,
  Bringmann & Kuhn 1980
  --
0.016  72 hr, Scenedesmus subspicatus, IUCLID 2000
 
NOEC values to algae, mg/l :
0.008  72 hr, Scenedesmus subspicatus
0.2  72 hr, Chlorella vulgaris
0.13  < 0.13 mg/l, 96 hr, Selenastrum capricornutum
  IUCLID 2000
 
EC50 values to crustaceans, mg/l :
765  24 hr, Daphnia magna, AQUIRE 1999
  --
54  54 - 765 mg/l, 24 hr, Daphnia magna
765 
47  47 - 95 mg/l, 48 hr, Daphnia magna
95 
54  24 hr, Daphnia magna Straus
600  48 hr, Artemia salina
97  96 hr, Mysidopsis bahia
  IUCLID 2000
 
NOEC values to crustaceans, mg/l :
23  48 hr, Daphnia magna
48  96 hr, Mysidopsis bahia
  IUCLID 2000
 
LC50 values to fishes, mg/l :
27  96 hr, Salmo gairdneri
315  48 hr, Idus idus
222  96 hr, Brachydanio rerio
315  48 hr, Leuciscus idus melanotus
  IUCLID 2000
 
NOEC values to fishes, mg/l :
6.3  96 hr, Salmo gairdneri, IUCLID 2000
 
Other information of water organisms :
Toxicity threshold (cell multiplication inhibition test):
algae (Microcystis aeruginosa): 0.15 mg/l
green algae (Scenedesmus quadricauda): 18 mg/l
Protozoa (Entosiphon sulcatum): 20 mg/l
Protozoa (Uronema parduczi) 11 mg/l
(Verschueren 1983).
 
Other information :
Natural sources: produced by marine algae such as Phaeocystis
and Polysiphonia lanosa; as a result of hydrolysis of
dimethyl-beta-propiothetin (Verschueren 1983).

References
1848Anon. 1987a. The list of the existing chemical substances tested on biodegradability by microorganisms or bioaccumulation in fish body by Chemicals Inspection & Testing Institute. Ministry of International Trade and Industry, MITI. Japan.
3107AQUIRE 1993 -. Aquatic Toxity Information Retrieval Database. U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Washington, D.C.
187Bringmann, G. & Kühn, R. 1976. Vergleichende Befunde der Schadwirkung wassergefährdender Stoffe gegen Bakterien (Pseudomonas putida) und Blaualgen (Microcystis aeruginosa). Gwf-Wasser-Abwasser 117(9).
188Bringmann, G. & Kühn, R. 1980a. Comparison of the toxicity thresholds of water pollutants to bacteria, algae and protozoa in the cell multiplication inhibition test. Water Res. 14: 231 - 241.
189Bringmann, G. & Kühn, R. 1980b. Bestimmung der biologischen Schadwirkung wassergefahrdender Stoffe gegen Protozoen. II. Bakterienfressende Ciliaten, Z. Wasser/Abwasser Forsch. 1: 26 - 31.
2969Chou W. L. et al. 1979. Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp. 8: 391 - 414.
3137Ekhina. R.S. & Ampleeva, G. P. 1977. Combined effect of six Acrylates on the Sanitary Status of a Resorvoir Vodemov 157 - 64.
3133GEMS; 1986 -. Graphical Exposure Modeling System. FAP. Fate of Atmos Pollut.
3338HAZARDTEXT Database. 1998 -. Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Information. American Association of Railroads, National Fire Protection Association, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safely & Health Administration. TOMES Plus CD-ROM.
1673Hellman, T.M. & Small, F.H. 1974. Characterization of the odour properties of 101 petrochemicals using sensory methods. J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc. 24: 979 - 982.
3120Howard, P.H., Boethling, R.S., Jarvis, W.F., Meylan, W.M. & Michalenko, E.M., Handbook of Environmental Degradation Rates, 1991. Lewis Publicers, Inc., Chelsea, Michigan, U.S.A., pp. 725.
3114HSDB Database 1992 -. Hazardous Substances Data Bank. US. National Library of Medicine. TOMES Plus CD-ROM.
3253IUCLID 1995 -. International Uniform Chemical Information Database. European Commission. European Chemicals Bureau. Existing Chemicals. Ispra, Italy.
3182LOG KOW 1994. Octanol-water partition coefficient program. Syracure Research Corporation. Chemical Hazard Assessment Division. Environmental Chemistry Center.
2960Lyman, W. J. et al. 1982. Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods. Environmental behavior of organic compounds. McGraw-Hill New York.
3105MITI 1992. Biodegradation and bioaccumulation data of existing chemicals based on the CSCL Japan. Compild under the Safety Division Basic Industries Bureau Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Japan. Edited by Chemicals Inspection & Testing Institute, Japan.
2971Riddick, J. A. et al. 1986. Organic solvents: Physical Properties and Methods of Purification, 4th Edit. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
3138Sadtler, N. A. Sadtler Standard Spectra.
3053Sasaki, S. 1978. The Scientif Aspects of the Chemical Substance Control Law in Japan in Aquatic Pollutants Transformation and Biological Effects. Hutzinger, O. et al. (eds.) Oxford Pergamon Press. pp. 283 - 98.
1743Schafer , E.W.Jr., Bowles, W.A.Jr., Hurlbut, J. 1983. The acute oral toxicity, repellency and hazard potential of 993 chemicals to one or more species of wild and domestic birds. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12: 355 - 382.
3099Serjeant, E. P. & Dempsey, B. 1979. Ionisation constants of organic acids in aqueous solution. IUPAC Chemical Data Series, New York, NY: Pergamon Press 989pp.
3139Shelton, D. R. & Tiedje, J. M. 1984. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 47: 850 - 7.
3065Singh, H. B. et al. 1984. Reactivity/volatility classification of selected organic chemicals: existing data. p 190 USEPA-600/3-84-082
3140Speece, R. E. 1983. Environ. Sci Technol. 17: 416A - 27A.
1468Verschueren, K. 1983. Handbook of environmental data of organic chemicals. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. Inc., New York. 1310 s.
3030Yaws, C., Yang, H-C. & Pan, X. 1991. Henry's law constants for 362 organic compounds in water. Chemical Engineering. November. p 179 - 185.

 
 
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