TFIE ANALYSIS AND FATE OF ACRYLAMIDE MONOMER IN AQUEOUS ENVIRONMENTS. L'b/l/

FINAL REPORT, OCTOBER, 1980

Contract DGR 480/306.

Dr. L. Brown, Dr. M. M. Rhead

Room 544, Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Sciences,

John Graymore Chemistry Laboratory, Plymouth Polytechnic, Drake Circus

Plymouth.

Preface

The use of acrylamide based polymers for various water treatments is

increasing. Concern has been expressed at this prospect as these polymers

contain the neurotoxin acrylamide as a contaminant. A potential therefore

exists for the pollution of water supplies. This research project, which

was carried out for and funded by the Department of the Environment, was

established to achieve the following objectives:-

1. To produce an analytical procedure for the determination of mono

acrylamide in aqueous solutions capable of being used on a variety

of effluents and UK waters without interference.

2. To assess the extent ofadsorptionofasrylamide monomer onto sludge

and sediments.

3. To study-the rate and extent of degradation or change of monoacrylamide

in natural water samples and sediments (laboratory and in situ) --

The ensuing report details information obtained at Plymouth Polytechnic

during the successful completion of this project.