Acrylamide in Snacks Could Affect Child Development

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, May 12, 2004 (ENS) - An expert panel has been assembled to determine if exposure to acrylamide, a chemical present in potato chips and other starchy snacks, is a hazard for reproductive health or the development of children.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will hold the expert panel meeting May 17 to 19, in Alexandria.

The panel is composed of "independent scientists selected for their scientific expertise in reproductive and developmental toxicology," the NIEHS said in a statement. The scientists will review the evidence and identify data gaps and research needs.

Acrylamide was selected for evaluation because of the recent discovery that many people are exposed to small amounts of acrylamide through its presence in some starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, such as French fries and potato chips.

On April 24, 2002, the Swedish National Food Administration announced that acrylamide, a known carcinogen in animal tests, has been found in elevated levels in starchy foods cooked at high temperatures, such as potato products and bread.

Acrylamide is also used in the production of polyacrylamide - used in water treatment, pulp and paper production, mineral processing, and scientific research. Polyacrylamide is also used in the synthesis of dyes, adhesives, contact lenses, soil conditioners, cosmetics and skin creams, food packaging materials, and permanent press fabrics.

Acrylamide is known to be a health hazard. It has been shown to induce neurotoxicity in highly exposed occupational groups. In addition, laboratory studies in animals have shown that exposure to acrylamide can induce cancer, genetic damage in sperm, and adverse effects on reproduction and development.

The meeting will be conducted by the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), established by the NIEHS' National Toxicology Program. Questions and public comments should be directed to CERHR Director Dr. Michael Shelby at: shelby@niehs.nih.gov.

The CERHR selects chemicals for evaluation based upon production volume, extent of human exposure, public concern, and published evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity.

The expert panel meeting is open to the public and attendance is limited only by the available meeting room space at the Holiday Inn Old Town, 480 King Street, Alexandria.

The expert panel's Draft Report is online at: http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/news/acrylamide/draft_report.pdf