Where It Comes From
Made for polymer production; released during manufacturing, transport, spills, and while products cure. It evaporates easily and breaks down in air within days [1].
How You Are Exposed
Breathing vapors from fresh paints/adhesives or industrial emissions; skin contact with wet products; workplace air in manufacturing, painting, coating, or cleanup [1][2].
Why It Matters
Short-term exposure causes eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, headache, and nausea; repeated contact can cause dermatitis or skin allergy. Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans (IARC Group 3) [1][2][3].
Who Is at Risk
Workers handling monomers or coatings; people in freshly painted or poorly ventilated spaces; those with asthma or skin conditions may react more strongly [1][2].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Use with good ventilation or outdoors; keep others away until odors fade; follow labels; avoid skin contact (wear gloves) and clean spills promptly; workplaces should use local exhaust and PPE [1][2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Acrylates (including n-Butyl acrylate).
- [2]CDC/NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: n-Butyl acrylate.
- [3]IARC. Monographs: Butyl acrylate, not classifiable (Group 3).