Acrolein

ACROLEIN, CH₂=CH:CH:O, the simplest unsaturated aldehyde. A colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Boils at 52.4°. Acrolein vapors strongly irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, destroy eye tissues, and cause blindness upon prolonged exposure; in the past imperialist war, A. was used as a tear-inducing agent. The smell of burnt fat is partly due to the formation of A. Acrolein is obtained by heating glycerin in the presence of potassium and sodium bisulfite: CH₂(OH).CH(OH).CH₂.OH = =CH₂:CH:CHO + 2H₂O. A. easily polymerizes, passing into soluble and insoluble products (diallyl); oxidizes to acrylic acid: CH₂:CH:CHO + O = =CH₂:CH:COOH. As a professional poison, acrolein is encountered during the heating and burning of fats (in the tallow industry, in the boiling of vegetable oils, in the manufacture of stearic acid, in soapmaking), during the purification of bones from fat, in the production of glue and varnishes, in the production of oilcloth and linoleum, during galvanizing and tinning, in the celluloid industry, in the preparation and cleaning of type fonts, in electrical engineering production (A. is used for insulation), etc. A. is also used for disinfection (in conjunction with formalin). In addition to conjunctivitis, sneezing, and lacrimation, characteristic phenomena on the part of the respiratory tract are observed (dryness in the throat, cough, bronchitis). - Prevention - hermetic sealing of the production process and removal of vapors at the place of their formation.