Acrolein Chemical Review

Acrolein (2-propenal; acrylaldehyde) is used as a liquid herbicide to control submerged and floating weeds in irrigation canals and ditches. Acrolein is classified as a dangerous poison (Schedule 7) in the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons. Acrolein is registered for use in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia only and is declared to be a restricted chemical product. Its use is limited to irrigation areas and is highly restricted.

Acrolein is toxic to fish and wildlife and therefore is a threat to any water source used by animals close to an application zone. It is also dangerous to humans through contact with skin, inhalation, ingestion or eye contact. Currently there is only one registered product (Magnacide H herbicide) that contains acrolein as the active constituent.

Magnacide H herbicide is a restricted chemical product to be applied only by authorised, trained operators using specialised application equipment. People wishing to use acrolein must be authorised by the relevant state or territory and have completed specific training to meet the control-of-use requirements.

An assessment of the concerns was undertaken in 1997, and resulted in the voluntary withdrawal of the majority of registered products as well as restrictions being placed on the label of the remaining product. The label for the remaining product was updated in 1997 and contains the required warning and precaution statements. There is no published report available for acrolein.

There are no published reports available for acrolein.