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ACETONITRILE
(CAS NO. 75-05-8)

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Chemicals can be released to the envi-
ronment as a result of their manufacture,
processing, and use. The EPA has de-
veloped information summaries on se-
lected chemicals to describe how you
might be exposed to these chemicals,
how exposure to them might affect you
and the environment, what happens to
them in the environment, who regulates
them, and whom to contact for additional
information. EPA is committed to re-
ducing environmental releases of
chemicals through source reduction and
other practices that reduce creation of
pollutants.

WHAT IS ACETONITRILE, HOW
IS IT USED, AND HOW MIGHT I
BE EXPOSED?

Acetonitrile (also called methyl
cyanide) is a colorless, flammable liquid.
It occurs naturally in coal tar and cigarette
smoke. It is produced in large amounts
(32 million pounds in 1992) by four
companies in the United States. US
demand for acetonitrile is likely to follow
trends of general growth of the, US
economy. The largest users of acetoni-
trile are companies that use the chemical
to extract inorganic and organic chemi-
cals. It is used mdinly as to extract
butadiene. Companies also use acetoni-
trile to make pesticides.

Exposure to acetonitrile can oc-
cur in the workplace or in the environ-
ment following releases to air, water,
land, or groundwater. Exposure can also
occur when people smoke cigarettes.

Acetonitrile enters the body when breathed in
with contaminated air or when consumed
with contaminated food or water. It can also
be absorbed through skin contact. It does not
remain in the body due to its breakdown and
removal in expired air or urine.

‘WHAT HAPPENS TO ACETONITRILE
IN THE ENVIRONMENT?

Acetonitrile evaporates when ex-
posed to air. It dissolves completely when
mixed with water. Most direct releases of
acetonitrile to the environment are to un-
derground sites or to air. It also evaporates
from water and soil exposed to air. Once in
air, acetonitrile breaks down to other
chemicals. Microorganisms that live in water
and in soil can also break down acetonitrile.
Because it is a liquid that does not bind well
to soil, acetonitrile that makes its way into the
ground can move through the ground and
enter groundwater. Plants and animals are
not likely to store acetonitrile.

HOW DOES ACETONITRILE AFFECT
HUMAN HEALTH AND THE
ENVIRONMENT?

Effects of acetonitrile on human
health and the environment depend on how
much acetonitrile is present and the length
and frequency of exposure. Effects also
depend on the health of a person or the
condition of the environment when exposure
occurs.

Breathing large amounts of
acetonitrile for short periods of time
adversely aflects the human nervous
system, respiratory system, and cir-
culatory syst2m. Effects range from
abnormal sa ‘ivation, vomiting, con-
fusion, and :apid breathing and heart
rate to coma and death. Symptoms of
acetonitrile poisoning can occur
quickly after exposure but often occur
after levels of breakdown products
like cyanide build up in the body.
Direct conta.t with acetonitrile liquid
or vaper irr tates the skin, the eyes,
the noso, an¢ the throat. These effects
are not like y to occur at levels of
acetonitrile t 1at are normally found in
the environment.

Hunan health effects asso-
ciated with breathing or otherwise
consuming smaller amounts of ace-
tonitrile ove ‘ long periods of time are .
not known. Laboratory studies show
that repeat exposure to acetonitrile
can adversely affect the blood as well
as the nervous system, the lungs, the
liver, and ‘he thymus of animals.
Evidence fiom animal studies also
show that ecetonitrile can adversely
affect tie developing fetus.

Ace:onitrile by itself is not
likely to cause environmental harm at
levels nonvally found in the envi-
ronmert. Acetonitrile can contribute
to the formation of photochemical
smog when it reacts with other vola-
tile organic zarbon substances in air.