Substance fact sheet
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides information on the types and amounts of pollutants being emitted in the Australian community.
This page provides facts about acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile). It describes how you might be exposed to this substance, how exposure might effect you and the environment, common uses, comparative data about acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) and its physical and chemical properties.
For more information about some of the terms used in this page, see the NPI glossary.
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) emissions in Australia.
Acrylonitrile is a central nervous system depressant and a respiratory irritant. Within the body it is converted to cyanide and many of the effects are related to the effect cyanide has in preventing the absorption of oxygen into the blood. Conversion is slow so effects may not occur for a number of days. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, feelings of apprehension and nervous irritability, muscle weakness, cyanosis, and convulsions sneezing, nausea, vomiting, weakness. Acrylonitrile is an irritant to the skin and eyes and will cause damage with prolonged exposure and is a suspected causative agent of toxic epidermal necrosis.
Exposure to acrylonitrile is likely to be by breathing. Ingestion, absorption through the skin or absorption of the vapours through the eyes is also possible.
The primary source of exposure is through breathing vapours. Exposure is most likely for those working in industries where acrylonitrile is used. Studies have detected acrylonitrile in some houses.
See Sources for more information.
Worksafe Australia recommends an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit of 2 ppm (4.3 mg/m3)
The Australian NOHSC National Exposure Standards Database link is probably the most useful source of information.
Note that the emissions data in the NPI database is not directly comparable with these guidelines.
Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Acrylonitrile has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of acrylonitrile on plants, birds, or land animals.
Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behaviour. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Acrylonitrile has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of acrylonitrile on plants, birds, or land animals.
The concentration of acrylonitrile found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of acrylonitrile in the water from which the fish was taken.
Acrylonitrile evaporates rapidly so the main transport mechanism is by air. Due to its solubility in water it may be washed from the air by rain and leached from the soil to groundwater.
The dominant tropospheric chemical loss process for acrylonitrile is by reaction with hydroxyl radicals which is expected to break down acrylonitrile in a few days. The products of the hydroxyl radical reaction in the presence of nitrogen oxides are formaldehyde and formyl cyanide.
No national guidelines.
Acrylonitrile is used in manufacturing acrylic fabrics and carpets. It is used extensively in the manufacture of synthetic fibres, resins, plastics, elastomers, and rubber for a variety of consumer goods such as textiles, dinnerware, food containers, toys, luggage, automotive parts, small appliances, and telephones. It is also used in fumigants.
The primary stationary sources are likely to be synthetics, paint, and furniture and fixtures manufacturing facilities where this chemical is used.
Sub-threshold facilities. Acrylonitrile is present in cigarette smoke.
Acrylonitrile is not known to occur as a natural product.
Acrylonitrile can be found in car exhaust.
Acrylonitrile is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of a wide range of consumer products, but undergoes chemical reaction to different substances during the manufacturing process.
Approximately 400 substances were considered for inclusion on the NPI reporting list. A ranking and total hazard score was given based on health and environmental hazards and human and environmental exposure to the substance.
Acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) was ranked as 63 out of 400. The total hazard score taking into account both human health and environmental criteria is 2.7.
On a health hazard rating of 0 - 3 acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) registers 1.7. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to health, 2 represents a medium hazard and 1 is harmful to health.
On an environmental rating of 0 - 3 acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) registers 1.0. A score of 3 represents a very high hazard to the environment and 0 a negligible hazard.
Factors taken into account to obtain this ranking and these scores include the extent of the material's toxic or poisonous nature and/or its lack of toxicity, and the measure of its ability to remain active in the environment and whether it accumulates in living organisms. It does not take into account exposure to the substance. Environmental exposure is reflected in the NPI rank for this substance (see comparative data below). A substance that scores highly as an environmental hazard is oxides of nitrogen at 3.0 and one of the lower scores is carbon monoxide at 0.8. A substance that scores highly as a health hazard is arsenic at 2.3 and one of the lowest scores is ammonia at 1.0.
| Substance name | Acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile) |
| CASR number | 107-13-1 |
| Molecular formula | C3H3N |
| Synonyms | Synonyms Vinyl cyanide, 2-Propenenitrile, cyanoethylene, CAN, Fumigrain, propenonitrile, AN miller's fumigrain, TL 314, VCN (not to be confused with VCM), propenitrile, acrylonitrile monomer. |
| Physical properties: Colourless to pale yellow liquid with a mild pyridine-like odour. It evaporates rapidly. Boiling Point:77.3 (°C) |
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| Chemical properties: Acrylonitrile is soluble in water and most common organic solvents such as acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl acetate, and toluene. Acrylonitrile is a reactive chemical that polymerises spontaneously when heated, or in the presence of a strong alkali, and can explode when exposed to flame. Technical grade acrylonitrile is more than 99% pure and always contains a polymerisation inhibitor, usually methylhydroquinone. It is incompatible and reactive with strong oxidisers, acids and alkalis; bromine; and amines. It attacks copper. |
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There is more information that may be useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the NPI.