Acrylamide: A Neurotoxin and a Hazardous Waste

Acrylamide is an organic water-soluble compound and a vinyl-substituted primary amide. It is well known for its toxic effects on humans. This chemical may lead to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is exposed to humans through diet, occupation, lifestyle and many environmental factors. Acrylamide is used in molecular laboratories and even in various manufacturing and processing industries. Acrylamide is formed in food cooked at high temperatures, and exposure to this chemical may cause damage to the nervous system. In this chapter the toxicity of acrylamide and its role as a hazardous waste are highlighted. The main topics of this study are occurrence, effects and toxicity caused by acrylamide and analysis of acrylamide induced neurotoxicity in rats. Furthermore, mitigation strategies involving acrylamide have been discussed.