Chapter 14 - Acrylamide in Surface and Drinking Water

Abstract

The presence of acrylamide in water is of concern from both environmental and health points of view. Acrylamide has been included among the substances to be monitored in drinking water according to the European Union Directive 98/83 on potable water. Acrylamide is accepted as a carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic material with the potential to cause nervous system damage and weakness of the limbs, exposure to water acrylamide mainly occurs via ingestion or dermal contact. Acrylamide is an unsaturated amide and the main monomer of polyacrylamides that are used as flocculants for clarification of drinking water and the treatment of municipal or industrial effluents; it is also used as a grouting agent in dams, wells, and reservoirs. Because it is highly soluble and mobile in water, acrylamide is readily releasable to potable water supplies. Acrylamide may also be released to aquatic environments from plastic, dye, and pulp mills industries. Absorption of acrylamide by fish or plants from acrylamide-contaminated water is likely to be negligible. Acrylamide in raw water cannot be removed by conventional water treatment processes; treatment with ozone or potassium permanganate may, however, decrease its concentration. Bacterial use of acrylamide as a source of nitrogen and carbon leads to the main acrylamide degradation in water.