Acetaldehyde

CAS number 75-07-0

Description

Acetaldehyde is a clear colourless fuming liquid or gas above 21 degrees Celsius, with a sharp pungent fruity smell.

Uses

Acetaldehyde is primarily used as an intermediary to make dyes, perfumes, polyester fabrics, plastics, explosives, room air deodorizers and other manufacturing. It is also used as a flavouring substance, food additive and perfume of itself.

Acetaldehyde has a widespread natural occurrence. Acetaldehyde occurs in nature as an intermediate product in the respiration of higher plants and can be found in ripening fruit such as apples. Also, acetaldehyde is an intermediate product of fermentation of alcohol and in metabolism of sugars in the body.

In addition to occupational exposure in the manufacturing, plastics, coffee-roasting, agricultural or fuels industry, exposure can be through proximity to road fumes, petrol stations.

In general, indoor exposure is higher than outdoor exposure due to combustion sources such as tobacco smoke and residentials wood burners, and fireplaces. Indoor air exposure can also occur through cooking at high temperature, e.g. hamburgers, also nail polish/remover; adhesives, coatings, paints, use of room deodorizers and evaporation from certain foods (cheese, heated milk, cooked meats, rum), and building materials.

Why it can be problematic for human and animal health

Exposure to acetaldehyde is primarily through inhalation but can be by ingestion or dermal contact also.

Acetaldehyde is shown in scientific literature as being associated with the following chronic health impacts:

• Possible cancer causing in humans – shown to cause cancer of the nose and larynx
• Repeated exposure may cause acute or chronic bronchitis, which is breathlessness, phlegm and coughing.
• Similar symptomology to that of long-term alcoholism
• It has been shown in animal studies to cross the placenta to impact the fetus and unborn human babies could also be at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome disorders.

Acute exposure of humans to acetaldehyde leads to burning or irritation with dermal contact, can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat causing respiratory distress with fluid in the lungs.

Please note any adverse health effects that you may encounter in exposure to a chemical depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

For more detailed information, including on exposure levels in different contexts

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/acetaldehyde

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219914/

https://healthvermont.org/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/ENV_CDP_75_07_0_Acetaldehyde.pdf