The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

Acetonitrile

RTECS #: AL7700000

CAS #: 75-05-8

UPDATE: February 2005 MW: 41.06 MF: C2H3N


NOTE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
  1. SYNONYMS:
  2. SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA:
  3. MUTATION DATA:
  4. REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA:
  5. TUMORIGENIC DATA:
  6. ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
  7. OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA:
  8. REVIEWS:
  9. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:
  10. NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:
  11. STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:
  12. REFERENCES:

SYNONYMS:

  1. Acetonitril (German, Dutch)
  2. Cyanomethane
  3. Cyanure de methyl (French)
  4. Ethanenitrile
  5. Ethyl nitrile
  6. Methanecarbonitrile
  1. Methane, cyano -
  2. Methylkyanid (Czech)
  3. NCI - C60822
  4. RCRA waste number U003
  5. USAF EK - 488
  6. Acetonitrile (ACGIH:OSHA)


SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
eye
rabbit 		100 µL/24 hour moderate IJTOFN 19,363,2000
skin
rabbit 		500 mg open irritation test mild UCDS** 3/18/1965


MUTATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

SYSTEM TEST ROUTE/
ORGANISM/
TISSUE 		DOSE REFERENCE
sister chromatid exchange hamster ovary 5 gm/L EMMUEG 10(Suppl 10),1,1987
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction inhalation
Drosophila melanogaster 		131 ppm MUREAV 259,165,1991
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction Saccharomyes cerevisiae 47,600 ppm MUREAV 149,339,1985


REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
inhalation
hamster 		lowest published toxic concentration: 5,000 ppm/1 hour (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system 		TJADAB 27,313,1983
inhalation
hamster 		lowest published toxic concentration: 8,000 ppm/1 hour (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		TJADAB 27,313,1983
inhalation
rat 		lowest published toxic concentration: 1,800 ppm/6 hour (6-20 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) FAATDF 20,365,1993
oral
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 300 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system TJADAB 27,313,1983
oral
hamster 		lowest published toxic dose: 400 mg/kg (8 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) TJADAB 27,313,1983
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 2 mg/kg (10 day pregnant) Reproductive: Other effects to embryo or fetus TXAPA9 163,149,2000
oral
rabbit 		lowest published toxic dose: 390 mg/kg (6-18 day pregnant) Reproductive: Other effects on female

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system 		NTIS** OTS0555575


TUMORIGENIC DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
inhalation
rat 		lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/6 hour/2 year- intermittent Tumorigenic: Equivocal tumorigenic agent by RTECS criteria

Liver: Tumors 		NTPTR* NTP-TR-447,1996


ACUTE TOXICITY DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
inhalation
cat 		lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 18 gm/m3 N/R 85GMAT -,16,1982
inhalation
dog 		lowest published lethal concentration: 16,000 ppm/4 hour N/R JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
guinea pig 		lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 5,655 ppm/4 hour Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Blood: Hemorrhage 		JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
human 		lowest published toxic concentration: 160 ppm/4 hour Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes 34ZIAG -,65,1969
inhalation
mouse 		lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2,693 ppm/1 hour Liver: Other changes CTOXAO 18,991,1981
inhalation
rat 		lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7,551 ppm/8 hour Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Blood: Hemorrhage 		JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
rabbit 		lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2,828 ppm/4 hour Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Blood: Hemorrhage 		JOCMA7 1,634,1959
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 175 mg/kg Eye: Corneal damage

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		TXAPA9 59,589,1981
intraperitoneal
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 850 mg/kg N/R JOCMA7 1,634,1959
intravenous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 612 mg/kg N/R 85GMAT -,16,1982
intravenous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1,680 mg/kg N/R JOCMA7 1,634,1959
oral
cat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 200 mg/kg N/R ZAARAM 19,225,1969
oral
child 		lowest published toxic dose: 800 mg/kg Behavioral: Hallucinations, distorted perceptions

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting 		AJEMEN 9,268,1991
oral
guinea pig 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 177 mg/kg N/R JOCMA7 1,634,1959
oral
mammal (species unspecified) 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1,670 mg/kg N/R GISAAA 39(4),86,1974
oral
man 		lowest published toxic dose: 571 mg/kg Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis 		APTSAI 41,340,1977
oral
man 		lowest published toxic dose: 64 mg/kg Behavioral: Excitement JTCTDW 29,447,1991
oral
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 269 mg/kg N/R ARTODN 55,47,1984
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2,460 mg/kg N/R UCDS** 3/18/1965
oral
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 50 mg/kg N/R ZAARAM 19,225,1969
oral
woman 		lowest published toxic dose: 500 mg/kg Behavioral: Coma

Cardiac: Pulse rate increased without fall in BP

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression 		PGMJAO 73,299,1997
parenteral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1,100 mg/kg N/R 85GMAT -,16,1982
subcutaneous
frog 		lowest published lethal dose: 9,100 mg/kg Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		AIPTAK 5,161,1899
subcutaneous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4,480 mg/kg N/R 85GMAT -,16,1982
subcutaneous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1,900 mg/kg N/R EKFAE9 62,48,1999
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 1,520 mg/kg Immunological Including Allergic: Decrease in cellular immune response

Immunological Including Allergic: Decrease in humoral immune response 		EKFAE9 62,48,1999
subcutaneous
rabbit 		lowest published lethal dose: 105 mg/kg N/R AIPTAK 36,455,1929
skin
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): >2 gm/kg N/R IJTOFN 19,363,2000


OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
inhalation
dog 		lowest published toxic concentration: 350 ppm/7 hour/91 day- intermittent Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
monkey 		lowest published toxic concentration: 350 ppm/7 hour/91 day- intermittent Brain and Coverings: Changes in circulation

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Emphysema

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count 		JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
mouse 		lowest published toxic concentration: 800 ppm/6 hour/13 week- intermittent Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field 		NTIS** OTS0535664
inhalation
rat 		lowest published toxic concentration: 655 ppm/7 hour/90 day- intermittent Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion

Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis) 		JOCMA7 1,634,1959
inhalation
rat 		lowest published toxic concentration: 800 ppm/6 hour/13 week- intermittent Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Ataxia

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field 		NTIS** OTS0535664
inhalation
rat 		lowest published toxic concentration: 1,200 ppm/14 day- intermittent Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field NTIS** #DE94-008272


REVIEWS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value time-weighted average 20 ppm (skin) DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2003
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value time-weighted average 20 ppm (skin) DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2002
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2003
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value short term exposure limit 60 ppm DTLVS* TLV/BEI,1999
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
SAIGBL 33,463,1991
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
TOLED5 134,3,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
MUREAV 5432012003


STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD - air time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) DTLVS* 3,3,1971
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry) 8 hour time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction) 8 hour time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) 8 hour time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) 8 hour time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Exposure Limit - ARAB Republic of Egypt time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRALIA time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm , Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRIA MAK 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - BELGIUM time-weighted average 40 ppm (67 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm (101 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - DENMARK time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - FINLAND time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm (105 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - FRANCE VME 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - GERMANY MAK 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - THE NETHERLANDS MAC-TGG 70 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit - NORWAY time-weighted average 30 ppm (50 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - THE PHILIPPINES time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - POLAND time-weighted average 70 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 140 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - RUSSIA short term exposure limit 10 mg/m3, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWEDEN time-weighted average 30 ppm (50 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (100 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWITZERLAND MAK- week 500 ppm (1200 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 1000 ppm (2400 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - TURKEY time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - UNITED KINGDOM time-weighted average 40 ppm (68 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm (102 mg/m3), SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN, KOREA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value;

short term exposure limit 60 ppm
Occupational Exposure Limit IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value
short term exposure limit 60 ppm


NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD or SURVEY
REFERENCE
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ACETONITRILE-air 10 hour time-weighted average 20 ppm NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974: Hazard Code: 02900;
Number of Industries 9;
Total Number of Facilities 302;
Number of Occupations 25;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 28,201
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983: Hazard Code: 02900;
Number of Industries 19;
Total Number of Facilities 1,172;
Number of Occupations 27;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 31,341;
Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 7,975


STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:

ORGANIZATION
REFERENCE
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULE FEREAC 47,26992,82
Used as a solvent
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
On EPA IRIS database
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Acetonitrile, 1606
NTP Carcinogenesis studies (inhalation);equivocal evidence:rat NTPTR* NTP-TR-447,1996
NTP Carcinogenesis studies (inhalation);no evidence:mouse NTPTR* NTP-TR-447,1996


REFERENCES:

CODEN
REFERENCE
34ZIAG "Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals," Deichmann, W.B., New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1969
85GMAT "Toxicometric Parameters of Industrial Toxic Chemicals Under Single Exposure," Izmerov, N.F., et al., Moscow, Centre of International Projects, GKNT, 1982
AIPTAK Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie. (Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium) V.4- 1898-
AJEMEN American Journal of Emergency Medicine. (WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA) V.1- 1983-
APTSAI Acta Pharmacologica et Toxicologica, Supplementun. (Munksgaard International Pub., POB 2148, DK-1016 Copenhagen K, Denmark) No.1- 1947-
ARTODN Archives of Toxicology. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberger Pl. 3, D-1000 Berlin 33, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.32- 1974-
CFRGBR Code of Federal Regulations. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt. of Documents, Washington, DC 20402)
CTOXAO Clinical Toxicology. (New York, NY) V.1-18, 1968-81. For publisher information, see JTCTDW.
DTLVS* The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) booklet issues by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Cincinnati, OH, 1996
EKFAE9 Eksperimental'naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya. Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. (Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, ul. B. Yakimanka, 39, 117049 Moscow, Russia) V.55- 1992-
EMMUEG Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.10- 1987-
FAATDF Fundamental and Applied Toxicology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1-40, 1981-97. For publisher information, see TOSCF2
FEREAC Federal Register. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt. of Documents, Washington, DC 20402) V.1- 1936-
GISAAA Gigiena i Sanitariya. For English translation, see HYSAAV. (V/O Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, 113095 Moscow, USSR) V.1- 1936-
IJTOFN International Journal of Toxicology. (Taylor & Francis, 47 Runway Rd., Suite g, Levittown, PA 19057) V.16- 1997-
JOCMA7 Journal of Occupational Medicine. (Chicago, IL) V.1-9, 1957-67. For publisher information, see:JJOMDZ
JTCTDW Journal of Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.19- 1982-
MUREAV Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1964-
NIOSH* National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda.
NTIS** National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information.
NTPTR* National Toxicology Program Technical Report Series. (Research Triangle Park, NC 27709) No.206-
PGMJAO Postgraduate Medical Journal. (Blackwell Scientific Pub. Ltd., POB 88, Oxford, UK) V.1- 1925-
SAIGBL Sangyo Igaku. Japanese Journal of Industrial Health. (Nippon Sangyo Eisei Igakkai, Kosu Eisei Bldg., 1-29-8, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160, Japan) V.1- 1959-
TJADAB Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968-
TOLED5 Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977-
TXAPA9 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959-
UCDS** Union Carbide Data Sheet. (Union Carbide Corp., 39 Old Ridgebury Rd., Danbury, CT 06817)
ZAARAM Zentralblatt fuer Arbeitsmedizin und Arbeitsschutz. (Darmstadt, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.1-25, 1951-75.

Used as a solvent

NIOSH PROFILE (NITRILES), SRC, 10/77

RTECS Compound Description:
   Tumorigen
   Mutagen
   Reproductive Effector
   Human Data
   Primary Irritant

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