Acetonitrile
RTECS #
AL7700000
CAS #
Updated
December 2018
Molecular Weight
41.06
Molecular Formula
C2H3N
Synonyms
Acetonitril (German, Dutch)
Acetonitrile (ACGIH:OSHA)
Cyanomethane
Cyanure de methyl (French)
Ethanenitrile
Ethyl nitrile
Methane, cyano-
Methanecarbonitrile
Methylkyanid (Czech)
NCI-C60822
RCRA waste number U003
USAF EK-488
Acetonitrile (ACGIH:OSHA)
Cyanomethane
Cyanure de methyl (French)
Ethanenitrile
Ethyl nitrile
Methane, cyano-
Methanecarbonitrile
Methylkyanid (Czech)
NCI-C60822
RCRA waste number U003
USAF EK-488
Skin and Eye Irritation and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| eye /rabbit | 100 µL/24H | moderate | IJTOFN 19,363,2000 |
| skin /rabbit | 500 mg open irritation test | mild | UCDS** 3/18/1965 |
Mutation Data and Reference
| System Test | Route/Organism/Tissue | Dose | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction | inhalation/Drosophila melanogaster | 131 ppm | MUREAV 259,165,1991 |
| sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction | /Saccharomyes cerevisiae | 47600 ppm | MUREAV 149,339,1985 |
| sister chromatid exchange | ovary/hamster | 5 gm/L | EMMUEG 10(Suppl 10),1,1987 |
Reproductive Effects Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/rat | 1800 ppm/6H (6-20D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) | FAATDF 20,365,1993 |
| inhalation/hamster | 5000 ppm/1H (8D 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 | 8000 ppm/1H (8D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system | TJADAB 27,313,1983 |
| oral/rat | 2 mg/kg (10D pregnant) | Reproductive: Other effects to embryo or fetus | TXAPA9 163,149,2000 |
| oral/rabbit | 390 mg/kg (6-18D pregnant) | Reproductive: Other effects on female Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system | NTIS** OTS0555575 |
| oral/hamster | 300 mg/kg (8D pregnant) | Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system | TJADAB 27,313,1983 |
| oral/hamster | 400 mg/kg (8D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) | TJADAB 27,313,1983 |
Tumorigenic Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/6H/2Y- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Vitro/Human, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 494 mmol/L/24H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis | TIVIEQ 3,189,1989 |
| In Vitro/Human, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 74200 mg/L | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (dye exclusion): trypan blue assay etc. | TIVIEQ 27,1347,2013 |
| In Vitro/Human, skin | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 8470 mg/L/48H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc. | TIVIEQ 27,1347,2013 |
| In Vitro/Mouse, fibroblast | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 7240 mg/L/48H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc. | TIVIEQ 27,1347,2013 |
| In Vitro/Mouse, fibroblast | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 26400 mg/L/24H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc. | TIVIEQ 27,1347,2013 |
| In Vitro/paa | Inhibitor Concentration Low: 62.2 mmol/L/44H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays | TIVIEQ 27,1416,2013 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 1967 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell membrane integrity: Cytoplasmic enzymes leakage (lactate dehydrogenase, ATP enzymes etc.) | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 1967 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc. | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 2124 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 1888 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc. | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 3567 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell membrane integrity: Cytoplasmic enzymes leakage (lactate dehydrogenase, ATP enzymes etc.) | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 3690 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc. | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 3772 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| In Vitro/Rat, liver tumor | Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 3567 mg/L/20H | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (lysosomal damage): neutral red assay etc. | TIVIEQ 5,543,1991 |
| inhalation/cat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 18 gm/m3 | 85GMAT -,16,1982 | |
| inhalation/Dog | Lowest published lethal concentration: 16000 ppm/4H | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 | |
| inhalation/guinea pig | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 5655 ppm/4H | 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/4H | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes | 34ZIAG -,65,1969 |
| inhalation/mouse | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2693 ppm/1H | Liver: Other changes | CTOXAO 18,991,1981 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2828 ppm/4H | Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex) Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Blood: Hemorrhage | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7551 ppm/8H | Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex) Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Blood: Hemorrhage | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 17100 ppm/4H | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea | HALRE* 10/1/1968 |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7500 ppm | ENTOX* -,28,2005 | |
| 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 | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 | |
| intraperitoneal/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2388.1 mg/kg/24H | Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Muscle weakness Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | FCTOD7 59,595,2013 |
| intravenous/mouse | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 612 mg/kg | 85GMAT -,16,1982 | |
| intravenous/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1680 mg/kg | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 | |
| oral/cat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 200 mg/kg | 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 | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 | |
| oral/mammal (species unspecified) | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1670 mg/kg | 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 | ARTODN 55,47,1984 | |
| oral/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 50 mg/kg | ZAARAM 19,225,1969 | |
| oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2460 mg/kg | UCDS** 3/18/1965 | |
| oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4891 mg/kg | Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | FCTOD7 47,2314,2009 |
| oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): >5000 mg/kg/24H | Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Muscle weakness Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | FCTOD7 59,595,2013 |
| 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): 1100 mg/kg | 85GMAT -,16,1982 | |
| skin/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 980 mg/kg | ENTOX* -,28,2005 | |
| subcutaneous/frog | lowest published lethal dose: 9100 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): 4480 mg/kg | 85GMAT -,16,1982 | |
| subcutaneous/rabbit | lowest published lethal dose: 105 mg/kg | AIPTAK 36,455,1929 | |
| subcutaneous/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1900 mg/kg | EKFAE9 62,48,1999 | |
| subcutaneous/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 1520 mg/kg | Immunological Including Allergic: Decrease in cellular immune response Immunological Including Allergic: Decrease in humoral immune response | EKFAE9 62,48,1999 |
| subcutaneous/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): >5000 mg/kg/24H | Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Muscle weakness Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | FCTOD7 59,595,2013 |
Other Multiple Dose Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/Dog | lowest published toxic concentration: 350 ppm/7H/91D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | JOCMA7 1,634,1959 |
| inhalation/monkey | lowest published toxic concentration: 350 ppm/7H/91D- 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/6H/13W- 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: 1200 ppm/14D- intermittent | Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field | NTIS** #DE94-008272 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 655 ppm/7H/90D- 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/6H/13W- intermittent | Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Ataxia Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field | NTIS** OTS0535664 |
Reviews
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 20 ppm (skin) | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
| American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogen | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | SAIGBL 33,463,1991 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TOLED5 134,3,2002 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 543,201,2003 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | ENTOX* -,28,2005 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | REPTED 25,192,2008 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | HUTOX* -,683,1996 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | HUTOX* -,577,1996 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | NTAPM* -,629,1995 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 721,27,2011 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 802,1,2016 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUTAEX 31,347,2016 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUTAEX 32,491,2017 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | RTOPDW 58,395,2010 |
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 Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV; | ||
| Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV | ||
| 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 (67 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm (101 mg/m3), JUL2008 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA | MAK-TMW 40 ppm (70 mg/m3);KZW 160 ppm (280 mg/m3), skin, 2007 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM | time-weighted average 20 ppm (34 mg/m3), Skin, MAR2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK | time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), skin, MAY2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-EC | time-weighted average 70 mg/m3 (40 ppm), skin, FEB2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND | time-weighted average 20 ppm (34 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 40 ppm (68 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE | VME 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), Skin, FEB2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY | MAK 20 ppm (34 mg/m3), skin, 2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY | time-weighted average 70 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 280 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND | time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), skin, NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA | time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 60 ppm (105 mg/m3), skin, 2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO | time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 60 ppm (105 mg/m3), 2004 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND | time-weighted average 40 ppm (67 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 60 ppm (101 mg/m3), skin, JAN2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY | time-weighted average 30 ppm (50 mg/m3), JAN1999 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU | time-weighted average 20 ppm (34 mg/m3), JUL2005 | |
| 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, JUN2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN | time-weighted average 30 ppm (50 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 60 ppm (100 mg/m3), JUN2005 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND | MAK-week 20 ppm (34 mg/m3), KZG-week 40 ppm (68 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS | MAC-TGG 70 mg/m3, 2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES | time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| 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, OCT2007 | |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction) | 8H time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) | 8H time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry) | 8H time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) | 8H time-weighted average 40 ppm (70 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993 |
NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO ACETONITRILE-air | 10H time-weighted average 20 ppm | NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992 |
| National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 | Hazard Code 02900; Number of Industries 19; Total Number of Facilities 1172; Number of Occupations 27; Total Number of Employees Exposed 31341; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 7975 | |
| 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 28201 |
Status in Federal Agencies
| Organization | Reference |
|---|---|
| EPA TSCA 8(a) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULE | FEREAC 47,26992,82 |
| 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: 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 | |
| On EPA IRIS database |
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018
Content
source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health