NIOSH logo and tagline

Lactonitrile, 2-methyl-

RTECS #
OD9275000
CAS #
75-86-5
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
85.12
Molecular Formula
C4H7NO
Synonyms
2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropionitrile
2-Methyllactonitrile
Acetoncianhidrinei (Romanian)
Acetoncianidrina (Italian)
Acetoncyaanhydrine (Dutch)
Acetoncyanhydrin (German)
Acetone cyanohydrin
Acetone cyanohydrin (ACGIH)
Acetonecyanhydrine (French)
Acetonkyanhydrin (Czech)
alpha-Hydroxyisobutyronitrile
Cyanhydrine d'acetone (French)
Propanenitrile, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-
RCRA waste number P069
USAF RH-8

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/mouse lethal concentration (30 percent kill): 70 mg/m3/2H85GMAT -,15,1982
inhalation/rat Lowest published lethal concentration: 63 ppm/4HAIHAAP 23,95,1962
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1 mg/kgNTIS** AD277-689
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published toxic dose: 5022 µg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
NETEEC 32,289,2010
intraperitoneal/rat lowest published lethal dose: 7490 µg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
NETEEC 32,289,2010
oral/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 9 mg/kgNTIS** PB214-270
oral/mammal (species unspecified) lowest published toxic dose: 0.14 mg/kgBlood: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Hepatic microsomal mixed oxidase (dealkylation, hydroxylation, etc.)
TOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1898 µg/kgTOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 13500 µg/kgNTIS** PB214-270
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5.9 mg/kgTOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 20003 µg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression
NETEEC 32,289,2010
skin/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 150 mg/kgAMIHBC 8,371,1953
skin/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 17 µL/kgAIHAAP 23,95,1962
subcutaneous/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 8500 µg/kgBlood: Other changesBJIMAG 19,283,1962
subcutaneous/rat lowest published lethal dose: 74361 µg/kg/24HNETEEC 32,289,2010
subcutaneous/rat lowest published toxic dose: 61286 µg/kg/24HBehavioral: Muscle weakness

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
NETEEC 32,289,2010
unreported route/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2900 µg/kgGISAAA 31(6),8,1966
unreported route/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 13300 µg/kgGISAAA 31(6),8,1966

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
multiple/rat lowest published toxic dose: 209 mg/kg/3D- continuousRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldNETEEC 32,289,2010
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 3634 mg/kg/35W- intermittentGastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomach

Liver: Other changes
AMPMAR 32,653,1971
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 0.84 mg/kg/30D- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Blood: Other changes
TOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 0.84 mg/kg/30D- intermittentBiochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: DehydrogenasesTOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1.27 mg/kg/26W- intermittentLiver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
TOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 1.27 mg/kg/26W- intermittentBlood: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases
TOVEFN (1),29,1994
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 8485 mg/kg/57D- continuousRelated to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type fieldNETEEC 32,289,2010
oral/rat lowest published toxic dose: 8444 mg/kg/57D- continuousBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning
NETEEC 32,289,2010
subcutaneous/rat lowest published toxic dose: 164 mg/kg/3D- continuousBehavioral: Alteration of classical conditioningNETEEC 32,289,2010
unreported route/rabbit lowest published toxic dose: 242 mg/kg/26W- intermittentLiver: Liver function tests impaired

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)
GISAAA 31(6),8,1966
unreported route/rat lowest published toxic dose: 242 mg/kg/26W- intermittentBrain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Blood: Changes in erythrocyte (RBC) count

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase
GISAAA 31(6),8,1966

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-ceiling concentration 5 mg(CN)/m3 (skin)DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMshort term exposure limit 4.7 ppm (5.1 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 1 ppm (3.5 mg(CN)/m3), skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 1 ppm, short term exposure limit 5 ppm, skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 16.7 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 16.7 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDshort term exposure limit 4.7 ppm (5 mg(CN)/m3), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUshort term exposure limit 4.7 ppm (5 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIAshort term exposure limit 0.9 mg/m3, Skin, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 3.5 mg/m3, Skin, 2003

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ACETONE CYANOHYDRIN-airceiling concentration 1 ppm/15MNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code X3298; Number of Industries 2; Total Number of Facilities 45; Number of Occupations 2; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1016; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 187

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Acetone cyanohydrin, 2506
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018