Acrylonitrile liquid or vapor irritates the eyes, the nose, and the throat. These effects are not likely to occur at levels of acrylonitrile that are normally found in the environment. There are several health effects case studies of acrylonitrile workers. The methods used in these studies limit conclusions that can be made from the results. These studies show that workers repeatedly breathing small amounts of acrylonitrile over long periods of time may develop cancer.
Cancer occurs primarily in the respiratory tract.
Laboratory studies show that repeated exposure to acrylonitrile in air or in drinking water over a lifetime also causes cancer in animals. Studies also show that repeated exposure to acrylonitrile adversely affects the respiratory and central nervous systems and causes developmental toxicity in laboratory animals. Acrylonitrile has moderate toxicity to aquatic life. By itself it is not likely to cause environmental harm at levels normally found in the environment. Acrylonitrile can contribute to the formation of photochemical smog when it reacts with other volatile substances in air.