In response to Judy Fran's question about artist's materials, the very
short answer is yes, volatile chemicals which the woman works with are
likely to volatilize to air and be inhaled;  detectable amounts may be
present in her milk.  The longer answer, however, is that the benefits of
breastmilk almost always exceed the small risks associated with chemical
exposure via milk.  Once inhaled, the amount that may be present in her
breastmilk depends on a number of factors including % absorbed after
inhalation,  lipophilicity (how fat soluble), amount present in air,
metabolism and other maternal/chemical factors.  There are several good
references available:  Dr. Ruth Lawrence's Review of Medical Benefits and
Contraindications to Breastfeeding in the US (Oct '97), Jeff Fisher's
article to which you refer in your note (send me your address and I'll send
you a copy), and a chapter I wrote entitled Transport of Organic Chemicals
to Breast Milk:  Tetrachloroethene Case Study, which is published in
Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology of Human Development, Taylor and
Francis, Publ. (1997).

I doubt you will find much on the acrylates,in particular, as they are
difficult to analyze in air and other media.  However, my assessment of the
risks of chemicals in milk compared to the benefits of breastfeeding
indicates that it is almost always beneficial to breastfeed the infant.  Of
course, minimizing the mom and child's exposure to VOCs is also
recommended.  The artist should take care to have adequate ventilation in
her work area to keep airborne levels low, and to work under a fume hood if
possible.  Dermal contact should also be kept to a minimum.  The child
should be kept away from the work area, if possible.  Direct inhalation of
chemicals by the infant provides a much greater exposure (probably 95%)
compared to levels that the child would ingest in breastmilk from the mom.

Any lactnetters interested in these references should send me their address
and I'll send copies of requested info.      You can correspond via lactnet
or send a personal note to me at [log in to unmask]  Judy Schreiber,
Ph.D., New York State Dept of Health.