Acrylic acid is a colorless liquid that has an irritating bitter odor and was discovered by Josef Redtenbacher, a German chemist. This substance is miscible with water and most organic solvents. Known also as 2-propeonic acid, this plant molecule occurs naturally in marine algae and has been found in the rumen fluid of sheep. Acrylic acid has been found to polymerize easily when exposed to heat, light, or metals so, therefore a polymerization inhibitor is added to commercial for storage. The acid is used in the manufacture of plastics, floor polish, paint formulations, leather finishings, and paper coatings. Exposure to the liquid occurs primarily in the workplace and can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes of humans. Acrylic acid has not been classified as a carcinogen.
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