Number
263-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Building and construction work
Other
Function
Other
Process
Other
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Polyacrylamide in soil treatment
Abstract
Polyacrylamide used for soil treatment is made from a hazardous monomer – and it may decompose to this monomer in the environment.Polyacrylamide can be replaced by other starch hydrogels.
Substituted substances
Polyacrylamide
CAS No. 9003-05-8 EC No. Index No.
Chemical group
Polymers
Other adverse effects
In the environment it may degrade to acrylamide (CAS 79-06-1), a carcinogen and mutagen 1B and skin sensitiser according to EU harmonized classification, also classified as probably carcinogenic according to IARC (group 2A) and neurotoxicant ( V
Alternative Substances
Starch
CAS No. 9005-25-8 EC No. 232-679-6 Index No.
Chemical group
Carbohydrates
Reliability of information
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed
Reason substitution
CMR
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Polyacrylamideis not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Alternative substance: Starch is not hazardous and can be obtained from natural renewable sources.
Description of Substitution
Polyacrylamide is used as hydrogel for soil treatment in agriculture and other civilian and military applications. It helps stabilise the soil and improves retention of water but also of other chemicals like pesticides or fertilisers. It is used as additive in irrigation systems but is also available in commercial products for private gardening. Polyacrylamide is medium stable and is not considered toxic in itself. However, in the environment it decomposes to its monomer acrylamide, which is a known carcinogen. The presence of some substances in fertilisers or pesticides may enhance polyacrylamide e decomposition. Starch based hydrogels or other bio-based polymers can be used as alternatives. They are not toxic as monomers or polymers and do not generate hazardous pollutants when decomposing. They are however shorter-lived compared to polyacrylamide.
Case/substitution evaluation
The substitution prevents the use of a chemical that is not toxic in itself but it decomposes into pollutants of high concern (acrylamide). Substitution is easy to implement both at large scale soil treatment and at household level. Because starch hydrogel last for shorter time the treatment may need to be repeated more often and end up being more expensive.
State of implementation
In use
Availability ofAlternative
Alternative available on the market
Type of information supplier
Research
Contact
Puyallup Research & Extension Center of Washington State University, http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/
Type of publication and availability
Internet information, freely available
Publication source: author, company, institute, year
Super-absorbent water crystals-miracle, myth or marketing', by Linda Chalker-Scott, PhD, Puyallup Research & Extension Center of Washington State UniversityLinda Chalker-Scott, Horticultural Myths https://puyallup.wsu.edu/lcs/
- Polyacrylamide Gels
Publication source
Type of publication and availability
https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/hydrogels-3.pdf
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021