previously used as a fumigant acrylonitrile can be found in car exhaust present in cigarette smoke food may contain acrylonitrile as a result of migration from food containers. Consumer exposure to acrylonitrile from skin contact with acrylic fibres and from ingestion of foods contaminated with residual acrylonitrile in packaging materials is estimated at a maximum of 2.2 and 33 ng/kg/day respectively [1]. Route of entry into the body The primary route of acrylonitrile entry into the body is through inhalation, with an average respiratory retention of 52 per cent. Acrylonitrile can also be absorbed percutaneously in quantities sufficient to cause health effects. Target organ/effect Central nervous system – headache, dizziness, general weakness. Liver – hepatocellular damage. Skin – irritation, burns, blisters, sensitisation. Respiratory tract – irritation. Eyes – irritation. Carcinogen – GHS Carcinogenicity Category 1B (May cause cancer), multiple sites. Acute effects Acute overexposure can cause rapid onset of eye, nose, throat and airway irritation, headache, sneezing, nausea and vomiting. Weakness and light-headedness may also occur. Acrylonitrile is a cellular asphyxiant with actions similar to cyanide, causing symptoms like profound weakness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, collapse, convulsions, asphyxia and death. Prolonged skin contact with the liquid may result in absorption with systemic effects and the formation of large blisters after a latent period of several hours. Chronic effects Repeated spills on exposed skin may result in dermatitis or can act as a skin sensitiser. Chronic inhalation may cause headache, insomnia, irritability, nose bleeds, respiratory difficulties and abnormal liver function. Carcinogenicity Acrylonitrile has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Some studies of workers potentially exposed to acrylonitrile have demonstrated an increased incidence of cancer of the lung, gastrointestinal tract and prostate. Carcinogen classification Acrylonitrile is classified according to the GHS as Carcinogenicity Category 1B (May cause cancer).
REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 1. National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, Acrylonitrile, Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report No. 10, Feb 2000. FURTHER READING Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Medical Management Guidelines for Acrylonitrile. Australian Chemical Industry Council, Code of Practice on the Safe Handling of Acrylonitrile, Australian Chemical Industry Council, Melbourne, 1992. International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 71: Re-evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, 1999. International Programme on Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 28: Acrylonitrile, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1983. Lauwerys RR, Hoet P, Industrial Chemical Exposure Guidelines for Biological Monitoring, 3rd Ed, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, 2001. National Toxicology Program, Acrylonitrile, in 12th Report on Carcinogens, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 2011. World Health Organisation/International Program on Chemical Safety, Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 39: Acrylonitrile, WHO, Geneva, 2002.