Acrylamide
Acrylamide, uh KRIHL uh myd, is a white, odorless chemical that has a variety of industrial applications. It is primarily used to make polyacrylamide, a substance involved in water purification and in manufacturing paper, dyes, cosmetics, plastics, food packages, caulking, soil conditioners, and adhesives. Polyacrylamide is harmless, but acrylamide is a toxic (poisonous) chemical that also makes up a component of cigarette smoke. Products made with polyacrylamide often contain very small amounts of acrylamide. While the low levels of acrylamide in these products present no threat to consumers, workers who are exposed to large amounts of the chemical could suffer health problems. In 2002, scientists in Sweden discovered acrylamide in a wide variety of common foods. Since this discovery, scientists have become more concerned about possible health risks the chemical may pose.