Substance profile
Acrylamide
Acrylamide is flake-like crystals from benzene and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Acrylamide is
Acrylamide is flake-like crystals from benzene and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C3H5NO and its molecular weight is 71.08 g/mol. It boils at 193 °C, melts at 84.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Acrylamide identifiers and molecular data
Acrylamide CAS number and EC number
Acrylamide molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Acrylamide
- Acrylamide Monomer
- Acrylic Acid Amide (50%)
- Acrylic Amide
- Acrylic Amide 50%
- Ethylene Carboxamide
- Ethylenecarboxamide
- Propenamide
- Propenamide (50%)
- 2-Propenamide
- Propenoic Acid, Amide
- Vinyl Amide
- prop-2-enamide
03 · GHS classification
Acrylamide hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Acrylamide pictograms and signal word
Acrylamide hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H301 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H312 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 1A or 1B | H340 | GHS08 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 1A or 1B | H350 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 1 | H372 | GHS08 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Acrylamide hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H361f | Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Acrylamide. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Acrylamide
Our own Acrylamide safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Acrylamide precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 23 precautionary statements to Acrylamide. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Acrylamide name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | акриламид проп-2-енамид |
| Spanish español | Acrilamida prop-2-enamida |
| Czech čeština | akrylamid prop-2-enamid |
| Danish dansk | acrylamid prop-2-enamid |
| German Deutsch | Acrylamid Prop-2-enamid |
| Estonian eesti | akrüülamiid prop-2-eenamiid |
| Greek ελληνικά | ακρυλαμίδιο προπ-2-εναμίδιο |
| English English | acrylamide prop-2-enamide |
| French français | acrylamide prop-2-énamide |
| Croatian hrvatski | akrilamid prop-2-enamid |
| Italian italiano | acrilamide prop-2-enamide |
| Latvian latviešu | akrilamīds prop-2-enamīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | akrilamidas prop-2-enamidas |
| Hungarian magyar | akrilamid prop-2-énamid |
| Maltese Malti | akrilammid prop-2-enammid |
| Dutch Nederlands | acrylamide prop-2-eenamide |
| Polish polski | akrylamid prop-2-enoamidamid kwasu akrylowego |
| Portuguese português | acrilamida prop-2-enamida |
| Romanian română | acrilamidă 2-propenamidă |
| Slovak slovenčina | akrylamid prop-2-énamid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | akrilamid prop-2-enamid |
| Finnish suomi | akryyliamidi prop-2-eeniamidi |
| Swedish svenska | akrylamid prop-2-enamid |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Acrylamide GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Acrylamide, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Acrylamide
- May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Suspected of damaging fertility.
- Toxic if swallowed.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- IF IN EYES:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Acrylamide in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Acrylamide health hazards and exposure limits
Acrylamide hazard summary
Acrylamide is a colorless, odorless, crystalline solid that can react violently when melted. When it is heated, sharp fumes may be released.Acrylamide is used to make polyacrylamide, which is mainly used in treating waste water discharge from water treatment plants and industrial processes.In addition, acrylamide and polyacrylamides are used in the production of dyes and organic chemicals, contact lenses, cosmetics and toiletries, permanent-press fabrics, paper and textile production, pulp and paper production, ore processing, sugar refining, and as a chemical grouting agent and soil stabilizer for the construction of tunnels, sewers, wells and reservoirs.Acrylamide is formed in foods that are rich in carbohydrates when they are fried, grilled, or baked.
Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Acrylamide carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year drinking water studies, there was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity of acrylamide in male F344/N rats based on increased incidences of malignant mesothelioma of the epididymis and testis tunica, malignant schwannoma of the heart, and follicular cell adenoma or carcinoma of the thyroid gland. An increased incidence of pancreatic islet adenoma was also considered related to acrylamide exposure.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-575: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Acrylamide (CASRN 79-06-1) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed and Drinking Water Studies) (2012 )
Cancer Classification: Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Acrylamide: reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Acrylamide occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 0.3 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 0.3 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 0.3 mg/m3 [skin] See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.03 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca TWA 0.03 mg/m3 [skin] See Appendix A | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 60 mg/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 60 mg/m3 ; A potential occupational carcinogen. [From NPG: Acrylamide] (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 60.0 [mg/m3] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Acrylamide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Acrylamide boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 192.6 °C (378.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 125 °C (257 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| 237.5 °C (459.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | NIOSH |
Acrylamide melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 84.5 °C (184.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 84.44 °C (184 °F) | NIOSH |
Acrylamide density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.12 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.13 g/cm³ | ICSC |
Acrylamide solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether and acetone | HSDB | |
| greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| In water, 3.711X10+2 g/L at 20 °C; 4.048X10+2 g/L at 30 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Acrylamide vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.007 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.007 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.0068 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Acrylamide flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 138 °C (280.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 137.78 °C (280 °F) | NIOSH |
Acrylamide autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 240 °C (464 °F) | HSDB | |
| 424 °C (795.2 °F) | ICSC |
Acrylamide lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Fine particles of dust form explosive mixture with air. | HSDB | |
| Combustible Solid (may also be dissolved in flammable liquids). | NIOSH | ||
| Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO |
Acrylamide upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO |
Acrylamide vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.45 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Acrylamide fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Acrylamide fire potential
Combustible solid.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Acrylamide storage and handling
Acrylamide reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Acrylamide in the reactive groups Acrylates and Acrylic Acids, Amides and Imides, Polymerizable Compounds. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Acrylamide safe storage
Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Keep in the dark. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Acrylamide storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Light sensitive. Store under inert gas. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Acrylamide incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Acids, oxidizing agents, iron and iron salts, copper, brass, free radical initiators.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Acrylamide reactivity
Amides, such as ACRYLAMIDE, react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Spontaneous, violent polymerization occurs at its melting point (86 °C) [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 428]. Can polymerize vigorously if mixed with peroxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acrylamide in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Acrylamide UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
The same CAS number is shipped under more than one UN number. Which entry applies follows from the form and the concentration of the consignment — read the proper shipping name, not the CAS.
Acrylamide under UN 2074 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACRYLAMIDE, SOLID | 6.1 | T2 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylamide, solid | 6.1 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
Acrylamide under UN 3426 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACRYLAMIDE SOLUTION | 6.1 | T1 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylamide solution | 6.1 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Acrylamide — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Acrylamide?
The CAS number of Acrylamide is 79-06-1. Its EC number is 201-173-7.
What is the chemical formula of Acrylamide?
The molecular formula of Acrylamide is C3H5NO and its molecular weight is 71.08 g/mol.
What does a Acrylamide label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Acrylamide carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones and Health hazard and the signal word is Danger.
Is Acrylamide flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Acrylamide no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 138 °C (280.4 °F) (HSDB).
Is Acrylamide a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies Acrylamide as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350: may cause cancer. IARC places it in Group 2A: probably carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Acrylamide?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Acrylamide is 0.3 [mg/m3] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Acrylamide?
The boiling point reported for Acrylamide is 192.6 °C (378.7 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Acrylamide?
The melting point reported for Acrylamide is 84.5 °C (184.1 °F) (HSDB).
How should Acrylamide be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Light sensitive. Store under inert gas. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
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