acrolein

American  

[uh-kroh-lee-in] / əˈkroʊ li ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a yellow, flammable liquid, C 3 H 4 O, having a stifling odor, usually obtained by the decomposition of glycerol: used chiefly in the synthesis of commercial and pharmaceutical products.

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acrolein British  

/ əˈkrəʊlɪɪn /

noun

1. a colourless or yellowish flammable poisonous pungent liquid used in the manufacture of resins and pharmaceuticals. Formula: CH 2 :CHCHO

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Etymology

Origin of acrolein

1855–60; < Latin ācr- (stem of ācer ) sharp + olē ( re ) to smell + -in ²

Example Sentences

OEHHA’s assessment provides the first cancer risk value for acrolein since it was classified as probably cancer-causing to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Two toxic air contaminants present in California’s ambient air, acrolein and ethylene oxide, appear to be much stronger carcinogens than previously known, California environmental health officials announced Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

Blood and urine will be screened for exposure to chemicals present or suspected to be present at the derailment, including dioxins, vinyl chloride, acrolein and butyl acrylate.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 25, 2023

Whelton’s team and other researchers at Purdue analysed the samples and found several chemicals that could have been released following the accident, including acrolein.

From Scientific American • Mar. 24, 2023

Some of the more volatile fatty acids are driven off, and the fats break down to give a larger percentage of free fatty acids, some light esters, acrolein, and formic acid.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)