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Human exposures to acrylamide are below the threshold for carcinogenesis
Olav Thulesius1, William J Waddell
1Department of Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. thulesius@juno.com
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|August 18, 2004
Summary
Animal studies and human data suggest acrylamide (ACR) in food is not carcinogenic. Current consumption levels do not support concerns about ACR causing cancer in people.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Carcinogenesis
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acrylamide (ACR) is a food contaminant with potential carcinogenic properties.
- Concerns exist regarding human health risks associated with dietary ACR exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the carcinogenic potential of acrylamide (ACR) in humans based on animal studies and epidemiological data.
Main Methods:
- Dose-response calculations were performed using data from animal studies on carcinogenesis.
- Epidemiological studies investigating the correlation between dietary ACR exposure and cancer incidence were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Carcinogenesis threshold calculations in animal models do not indicate that ACR is carcinogenic to humans at current dietary intake levels.
- Recent epidemiological studies show no significant correlation between ACR exposure from food and cancer incidence.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests that acrylamide (ACR) consumption in food at typical levels is not associated with an increased risk of cancer in humans.
- Further research may be warranted, but existing data are reassuring regarding dietary ACR and human carcinogenicity.
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