Acrolein

Acrolein is a dangerous chemical that is suspected to cause cancer and developmental, nervous system, skin and liver problems ^[1]. Acrolein exacerbates asthma ^[2], and breathing high levels of acrolein can cause burning of the nose, throat and eyes and can severely damage the lungs. The State of California has identified acrolein as one of five toxic chemicals in the air that may cause infants and children to be especially susceptible to illness ^[2].

Acrolein is formed and released into the air when wood (forest, wildfires, wood stoves) and other plants, tobacco, and fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline) are burned. Acrolein is also used as a pesticide ^[1]. People are exposed to acrolein primarily from breathing automobile exhaust, wood smoke and tobacco smoke.

According to US Environmental Protection Agency data, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Jackson, and Klamath counties have some of the highest air concentrations of acrolein in the nation ^[3]. Union, Baker, Yamhill, Linn and Douglas counties also have more than double the level considered “safe” ^[3].

In its 1999 emissions inventory, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) estimated that three quarters of the measured acrolein in the air comes from “area” pollution sources (e.g., structure fires, slash and prescribed burning), 17% from mobile sources such as cars and off-road engines, and 8% from stationary sources (mostly wood bark boilers).

Data on how much acrolein is sprayed as a pesticide in Oregon is limited. However, over 92,000 juvenile steelhead were killed in 1996 as a result of an accidental acrolein spill into the Talent Canal in southwest Oregon ^[4].

• Promote alternatives to prescribed and slash burning.
• Promote the use of cleaner or alternative fuels in motor vehicle engines.
• Encourage the retirement of old wood stoves and switching to cleaner-burning fuels, such as natural gas or wind-derived electricity.
• Create incentives to clean up off-road engines with pollution control equipment.
• Encourage Oregonians to drive less.
• Continue to fund Oregon’s pesticide use reporting system so that we can identify current uses of acrolein and find alternatives where appropriate.

• When you’re in the market for a new car, purchase a super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) or partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV). All vehicles have a label under-the-hood that identifies the emission standard.
• If you have a wood stove, make sure it’s the cleanest-burning model or consider switching to a cleaner-burning source of heat, such as natural gas or wind-derived electricity.
• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.