title: Exposure of the U.S. population to acrylamide in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lifelong exposure of the population to acrylamide has raised concerns about the possible health effects of the chemical. Data on the extent of exposure to acrylamide and its primary metabolite, glycidamide, are needed to aid in the assessment of potential health effects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess human exposure to acrylamide and glycidamide in the general U.S. population through the measurement of hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide (HbAA) and glycidamide (HbGA).
  
  
  METHODS
  HbAA and HbGA were measured in 7,166 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Stratified HbAA and HbGA data were reported by sex, age groups, race/ethnicity (Mexican American, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white), and smoking status based on serum cotinine levels. Covariate-adjusted geometric means for each demographic group were calculated using multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HbAA and HbGA levels ranged from 3 to 910 and from 4 to 756 pmol/g hemoglobin, respectively, with smokers having the highest levels overall. Tobacco smoke exposure in nonsmokers had a small but significant effect on HbAA and HbGA levels. Adjusted geometric mean levels for children 311 years of age were higher than for adults >or= 60 years of age [mean (95% confidence interval): HbAA, 54.5 (49.1-51.5) and HbGA, 73.9 (71.3-76.6) vs. HbAA, 46.2 (44.3-48.2) and HbGA, 41.8 (38.7-45.2)]. Levels were highest in Mexican Americans [HbAA: 54.8 (51.9-57.8), HbGA: 57.9 (53.7-62.5)], whereas non-Hispanic blacks had the lowest HbGA levels [43.5 (41.1-45.9)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  U.S. population levels of acrylamide and glycidamide adducts are described. The high variability among individuals but modest differences between population subgroups suggest that sex, age, and race/ethnicity do not strongly affect acrylamide exposure. Adduct concentration data can be used to estimate relative exposure and to validate intake estimates.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. HVesper@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Hubert W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Vesper
authors.forename: Samuel P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Caudill
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Osterloh
authors.forename: Tunde
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Gary L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D020106:Acrylamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D020106:Acrylamide; C071834:glycidamide