Ethyl acrylate is a strong irritant of the eyes, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal tract in humans [Clayton and Clayton 1982; Hathaway et al. 1991]. At a concentration of 50 ppm, for a period of exposure described only as "prolonged," exposure to ethyl acrylate caused drowsiness, headache, and nausea [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. Ethyl acrylate causes sensitization in some exposed individuals; a 4 percent concentration in petroleum jelly caused skin sensitization in 10 of 24 volunteers [ACGIH 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. 1. Acute exposure: Acute exposure to ethyl acrylate vapor may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, with tearing, runny nose, and burning of the throat. 2. Chronic exposure: Chronic exposure to ethyl acrylate may cause skin sensitization, with redness, swelling, and itching of the affected areas. Authorities say a strong chemical odor that blanketed the New Orleans area came from the Dow chemical plant in Hahnville.
Rodney Mallett, a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, said the plant released the chemical ethyl acrylate around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. A St. Charles Parish spokeswoman Renee Allemand Simpson said officials were told by Dow that a crack had developed along a seam in a tank at the plant and the chemical was being pumped from the tank.
