Acrylonitrile (2-propenenitrile): Environmental effects
Description
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.
Entering the environment
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.
Where it ends up
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.
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Key
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