Acrylamide cohort mortality study.

Abstract

The mortality experience of 371 employees assigned to acrylamide monomer and polymerisation operations was examined with particular emphasis on cancers at sites identified from animal studies such as the central nervous system, thyroid gland, other endocrine glands, and mesotheliomas. A total of 29 deaths was observed up until 1982 (38-0 expected). No statistically significant excesses were noted in the total cohort and no deaths were found for the hypothesised sites of cancer. The observed deaths in the total cohort for the all cancers category were somewhat in excess (11 v 7-9); however, this was due entirely to excess cancers of the digestive tract and respiratory system in the subgroup with previous exposure to organic dyes. Among those employees not exposed to organic dyes, four deaths were due to malignancies versus 6-5 expected. This study does not support a cause effect relation between exposure to acrylamide at this work site and overall mortality, total malignant neoplasms, or any specific cancers.Acrylamide is a white crystalline solid which is important as a chemical intermediate and as a monomer used in the production of polyacrylamides. The effects of exposure to acrylamide have been reported to include peeling and redness of the skin of the hands, localised numbness of the legs, excessive sweating of the feet and hands, and both central and peripheral nervous system damage.' Epidemiological studies of employees exposed to acrylamide have not been published to date.The chronic effects of acrylamide in rats have been investigated in a two year toxicity-oncogenicity study.2 Fischer 344 rats were divided into groups of 90 rats by sex and dose level and given water formulated to provide 0. 0-01, 0 1, 0 5, and 2-0 mg/kg/day of acrylamide. Histopathological examination indicated that in the female rats at the highest dose level there was a statistically significant increase in the number of neoplasms of the mammary gland, nervous system, clitoral gland, uterus, oral cavity, and thyroid gland. Data from male rats indicated an increased incidence of mesothelioma in the scrotal cavity at dosages of 0-5 and 2-0 mg/kg/day. The incidence of benign tumours of the thyroid gland was also statistically increased at doses of 2-0 mg/kg/day. Although not statistically significant, there appeared to be an increased incidence of tumours in the brain and spinal cord at the highest level in the male rats.2

Evaluation of Some Renal Function Parameters in Rats Treated with Acrylamide

“…In a study which was performed with 371 workers exposed to acrylamide by means of organic dyes, it was determined that the rate of death occurred as a result of especially digestion and respiration system cancers was more than expected [42]. In another study carried out with 8500 workers exposed to acrylamide due to their jobs, it was suggested that there was an increase in thyroid cancer and pancreas cancer depending on the exposure dosage [43].…”

Dietary acrylamide and cancer of the large bowel, kidney, and bladder: Absence of an association in a population-based study in Sweden

“…The human data were less clear and limited to occupational settings. In a small cohort of 371 workers exposed to acrylamide through organic dyes, cancer mortality was higher than expected, mainly because of deaths from cancer of the digestive tract and respiratory system (Sobel et al, 1986). More recently, Marsh et al (1999) in a cohort of 8500 workers with potential occupational exposure found little evidence for an excess risk of cancer mortality overall.…”

Scientific Opinion on acrylamide in food

“…The first cohort included 371 workers exposed to AA in a US factory (Sobel et al, 1986). This cohort has been updated in a publication with additionally exposed workers and follow-up was extended with 19 years .…”