Fate and effects of acrolein

Acrolein is a highly toxic, reactive, and irritating aldehyde that occurs as a product of organic pyrolysis, as a metabolite of a number of compounds, and as a residue in water when used for the control of aquatic organisms. It is an intermediate in the production of acrylic acid, DL-methionine, and numerous other agents. Its major direct use is as a biocide for the control of aquatic flora and fauna. It is introduced to the environment from a variety of sources, including organic combustion such as automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, and manufacturing and cooking emissions, as well as direct biocidal applications. Organic combustion from both fixed and mobile sources is the significant source of acrolein in the atmosphere; it represents up to 8% of the total aldehydes generated from vehicles and residential fireplaces and 13% of total atmospheric aldehydes. This reactive aldehyde also occurs in organisms as a metabolite of allyl alcohol, allylamine, spermine, spermidine, and the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide, and as a product of UV radiation of the skin lipid triolein. Furthermore, small amounts are found in foods; when animal or vegetable fats are overheated, however, large amounts are produced. Most human contact occurs during exposure to smoke from cigarettes, automobiles, industrial processes, and structural and vegetation fires. Besides cigarette smoke, occupational exposures are a common mode of human contact, particularly in industries that involve combustion of organic compounds. Firefighters, in particular, are exposed to extremely high levels during the extinguishment and overhaul phases of their work. Water may contain significant levels of the herbicide. It has been found in paper mill and municipal effluents at 20-200 micrograms/L, and at 30 micrograms/L as far as 64 km downstream from the point of application. The USEPA-recommended water quality criteria for freshwater are only 1.2 micrograms/L (24-hr avg) and 2.7 micrograms/L (maximum ceiling). Acrolein is highly reactive, and intercompartmental transport is limited. However, it is eliminated from aqueous environments by volatilization and hydration to beta-hydroxypropanal, after which biotransformation occurs, with a half-life of 7-10 d. The Koc for acrolein is 24, and it is not likely to be retained in soil; activated carbon adsorbs only 30% from solution. Thus, the aldehyde is either leached extensively in moist soil or volatilizes quickly from dry soil. It is eliminated from air by reaction with .OH (half-life, 0.5-1.2 d), NOx (half-life, 16 d), and O3 (half-life, 59 d), as well as by photolysis and wet deposition. As expected from its high water solubility, bioaccumulation is low. Acrolein is highly toxic by all routes of exposure. The respiratory system is the most common target: exposure causes localized irritation, respiratory distress, pulmonary edema, cellular necrosis, and increased susceptibility to microbial diseases. Additionally, acute inhalation studies verify that it is a severe respiratory irritant that affects respiratory rates. Respiratory rate depression may have a protective effect by minimizing vapor inhalation, thereby explaining the subadditive effect of acrolein when combined with the other toxic combustion by-products CO and HCHO. Liquid contact with the skin and eyes causes severe irritation, opaque or cloudy corneas, and localized epidermal necrosis, but no allergic contact dermatitis. The cardiovascular system is affected, resulting in increased blood pressure, platelet aggregation, and quick cessation of beating in perfused rat hearts. It may also inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the myocardium. Acute LD50s and LC50s are low. Levels are 7-46 mg/kg and 18-750 mg/m3, respectively, in rats; aquatic organisms are affected above 11.4 micrograms/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)