1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. ACRYLONITRILE (VINYL CYANIDE)
Label abbreviations descriptions

ACRYLONITRILE (VINYL CYANIDE)‡

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 107-13-1
Formula

C₃H₃N
Synonyms

acrylonitrile inhibited; acrylonitrile monomer; AN; cyanoethylene; propenenitrile; 2-propenenitrile; VCN; vinyl cyanide
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Colorless to pale-yellow liquid with an unpleasant odor.
Boiling point 171°F Molecular weight 53.1
Freezing point/melting point -116°F Vapor pressure 83 mmHg
Flash point 30°F Vapor density
Specific gravity 0.81 Ionization potential 10.91 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 3.0% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 17%
NFPA health rating 4 NFPA fire rating 3
NFPA reactivity rating 2 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 0120
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media CSC tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-01]
Sampling time*

100 min
Sampling volume (TWA)*

20 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

0.2 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*

7.5 L
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*

0.5 L/min
Analytical method instruments GC-NPD
Method reference OSHA 37 (fully validated)
Notes
Special requirements

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device Detector tube Detector tube Detector Tube
Model/Type Dräger - Acrylonitrile 5/b, CH26901 Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-128SC Gastec 191L
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions) 		3 strokes, 1-30 ppm range, uncertainty 25% follow mfr instructions, approx 1-120 ppm range 1-4 strokes, 0.05-18 ppm range, uncertainty 16.4% for 0.25-1 ppm, 8.2% for 1-6 ppm
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA

2 ppm [1 ppm Action Level]

 REL-TWA

1 ppm

 TLV-TWA

2 ppm [2015]

 PEL-TWA

2 ppm (4.5 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL REL-STEL TLV-STEL PEL-STEL
PEL-C

10 ppm [15 minute]

 REL-C

10 ppm [15 minutes]

 TLV-C PEL-C
Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

Y

 Skin notation

Y

 Skin notation

Y
Notes:

See 29 CFR 1910.1045, Acrylonitrile.

 Notes:

CARCINOGEN (Ca): REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION. See Appendix A, NIOSH Potential Occupational Carcinogens.

 Notes: Notes:

See Acrylonitrile, Appendix B.
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH

85 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-B1, IARC-2B, NIOSH-Ca, NTP-R, OSHA-Ca, TLV-A3 Notes:

Ca
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

10 ppm/35 ppm/75 ppm
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Acrylonitrile, stabilized

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Acrylonitrile

Literature References

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Acrylonitrile. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • (low grade anemia, leukocytosis, kidney irritation, and mild jaundice) Cohrssen, B.: Cyanides and nitriles (Chapter 61). In Patty's Toxicology, 5th Ed., Vol. 4, Bingham, E., Cohrssen, B., and Powell, C.H., eds. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., pp. 1400-1404, 2001.
  • (dyspnea, burning sensation in the throat, impaired judgement, death.) Mangipudy, R.S., and Mehendale, M.H. Acrylonitrile. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology, Vol. 1, Wexler, P. ed. New York: Academic Press, pp. 27-28, 1998.
  • (convulsion and hysterical) Sitting, M.: Acrylonitrile. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 3rd Ed. Vol. 1, pp. 52-54, 1991.
  • (metabolism) Their, R., Balkenhol, H., Lewalter, J., Selinski, S., Dommermuth, A. and Bolt, H.M. Influence of polymorphisms of the human glutathione transferases and cytochrome P450 2E1 enzyme on the metabolism and toxicity of ethylene oxide and acrylonitrile. Mutation Res. 482(1-2): 41-46, 2001.

Last Updated Date : 12/15/2020