Six Cases of Acrylamide Poisoning

Abstract

Six cases of poisoning from handling the monomer acrylamide are described. All occurred during the process of polymerization of the monomer in the manufacture of flocculators. The mode of entry into the body appears to have been via the skin of the hands, though some ingestion of dust may also have occurred. The clinical picture is due to two distinct lesions in the nervous system-a peripheral neuropathy and a midbrain disturbance. The main signs and symptoms are numbness and paraesthesiae in the limbs; weakness, most marked in the lower limbs ; increased sweating of the hands, with erythema and peeling of the palms; unsteadiness and loss of balance; and tiredness and lethargy without obvious personality change. In addition, there may be generalized tremors, slurring of speech, weight loss, and some bladder disturbance. Removal from exposure is followed by complete recovery in the less severely poisoned, but this may take from 2 to 12 months. With regard to the more severely poisoned, we are still in doubt whether complete recovery ever takes place. It is a relatively easy hazard to contain. Awareness of the severely toxic nature of the substance on the part of the management and workers is the principal factor in prevention of acrylamide poisoning. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.