BOSTON, Aug. 21, 2007 — Acrylamide, a synthetic chemical widely used as a water treatment agent and in the manufacture of adhesives, dyes and fabrics, has recently been shown to occur naturally in an increasing number of foods ranging from French fries to coffee. Some studies have linked high levels of acrylamide to cancer in animals and neurological damage in humans. Despite uncertainties over acrylamide’s actual health effects at the levels found in food, there is heightened public awareness about this compound. The potential health effects of acrylamide and ways to reduce its content in foods will be explored Aug. 21-23 in a special three-day symposium, “Chemistry and Toxicology of Acrylamide,” during the 234 th national meeting of the American Chemical Society. The symposium, with more than 40 papers on the topic, will include experts from around the world who provide new insights into the compounds and particularly its biological effects.
All papers in this symposium are embargoed for Tuesday, Aug. 21, 9:00 a.m. The symposium will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Room 256 . Selected papers are described below:
Dietary acrylamide may play a role in Alzheimer’s, researchers theorize
Acrylamide not linked to breast cancer in U.S. women, Harvard study finds
Acrylamide found in dried fruits —
Fat found to be significant source of acrylamide in food
Farming techniques, biotechnology may help lower acrylamide —
The American Chemical Society — the world’s largest scientific society — is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
— Mark T. Sampson
Note for reporters’ use only:
For full information about the Boston meeting, including access to abstracts of more than 9,500 scientific papers and hundreds of non-technical summaries, visit http://www.acspresscenter.org . News release images are available at http://chemistry.org/bostonnews/images.html .