Acrolein persistence

To a mixture of 250 ml of ether and 3 moles of freshly distilled acrolein ivere added about 3 moles of bromine at a rate such that the temperature could easily be maintained between -30 and -90°C (bath of dry-ice-acetone or liquid Nj). After persisting of the browncolour, the temperature was allowed to rise to 0°C. Freshly distilled ethyl orthoformate (3.25 moles) and 96% ethanol (30 ml) were added. 

This is not the case in most fires where some oi the intermediate produces, formed when large, complex molecules are broken up, persist. Examples are hydrogen cyanide from wool and silk, acrolein from vegetable oils, acetic acid from timber or paper, and carbon or carbon monoxide from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials. As the fire develops and becomes hotter, many of these intermediates, which are often toxic, are destroyed—for example, hydrogen cyanide is decomposed at about 538°C (1000°F). 

Colorimetry. Laboratory data on the persistence of biocides formulated in glutaraldehyde and acrolein are available [1260]. A colorimetric general aldehyde detection method based on m-phenylenediamine was used. Such studies follow the demand for better understanding of ecologic systems in the aspect of environmental protection. 

E. A. Morris, III and D. H. Pope. Field and laboratory investigations into the persistence of glutaraldehyde and acrolein in natural gas storage operations. In Proceedings Volume. 49th Annu NACE Int Corrosion Conf (Corrosion 94) (Baltimore, MD, 2/27-3/4), 1994. 

Degradation and evaporation seem to be the major pathways for acrolein loss in water smaller amounts are lost through absorption and uptake by aquatic organisms and sediments (USEPA 1980 Reinert and Rodgers 1987). The half-time persistence of acrolein in freshwater is 38 h at pH 8.6 and 50 h at pH 6.6 degradation is more rapid when initial acrolein concentrations are less than 3000 pg/L (Bowmer and Higgins 1976). Nordone et al. (1998) show a half-time persistence of 2.9 to 11.3 h at initial nominal concentrations of 20 pg/L, and 27.1 to 27.8 h at 101 pg/L. At pH 5, acrolein reacts by reversible hydrolysis to produce an equilibrium mixture with 92% beta-hydroxy-... 

Bowmer, K.H. and M.L. Higgins. 1976. Some aspects of the persistence and fate of acrolein herbicide in water. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 5 87-96. 

Respiratory Effects. Champeix et al. (1966) reported that a 36-year- old male was accidentally exposed to acrolein vapors in the workplace (duration of exposure was not reported, but is presumed to be less than 1 day). The most relevant signs and symptoms noticed were high fever, dyspnea, coughing, foamy expectoration, cyanosis, and pulmonary edema. Eighteen months after the exposure, the chronic pneumopathy, bronchitis, and emphysema persisted. Similar respiratory effects were observed by Bauer et al. (1977) on a 21-year-old male exposed to smoke from an overheated pan for 6 hours. It was assumed that acrolein was the main component of the smoke, although other components may have contributed to the symptoms. 

The overall evidence from acute, intermediate, and chronic duration studies in experimental animals indicates that the respiratory system is a target for acrolein. These results agree with the clinical picture observed in a case of accidental human exposure to acrolein, in which the respiratory effects were prevalent and persisted for several months after exposure (Champeix et al. 1966). 

As seen from Figure 2-5, very little information is available regarding the health effects of exposure of humans to acrolein. Experimental studies in humans have attempted to determine the thresholds for eye, nose, and throat irritation. Information on humans accidentally exposed to acrolein also indicates that acrolein irritates the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and that severe respiratory effects can persist long after exposure occurs. 

Environmental Fate. Experimental data pertaining to the persistence of acrolein in soil and... 

Gastric lavage may be indicated soon after ingestion of acrolein followed by administration of activated charcoal slurry mixed with saline cathartic or sorbitol. Oxygen, in combination with intubation and mechanical ventilation, may be required in severe cases. Exposed eyes should be irrigated with copious amounts of tepid water for at least 15 min. If eye irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, the patient should be seen in a health care facility. 

Acrolein may be released to the environment from combustion processes or in effluents. Because it is a highly reactive compound, it is unstable in the environment and unlikely to persist. The half-life in air is predicted to be 15-20 h, and half-lives of dilute acrolein in water have been shown to be 1-3 days or less. 

The CYP-generated carbinolamine undergoes nonenzymatic hydrolysis to provide the aldophosphamide either in the bloodstream or inside the cell. If this hydrolysis occurs extracellularly, the aldophosphamide is still able to penetrate cell membranes to reach the intracellular space. Once inside the cell, acrolein (a highly reactive a,(3-unsaturated aldehyde) splits off, generating phosphoramide mustard. With a pKa of 4.75, the mustard will be persistently anionic at intracellular pH and trapped inside the cell. 

Acrolein, the simplest member of the class of unsaturated aldehydes, has a pungent, irritating odor. It is volatile, flammable, and explosive, and requires elaborate and specific conditions for storage and use. The half-time persistence of acrolein in freshwater is usually less than 50 h in seawater it is less than 20 h, and in the atmosphere less than 3 h. Biochemical... 

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