2.

18

Product Specification
Table 2.30 Properties of the Product
Properties

Other Characteristics

Melting point (C)

-83.55

Boiling point (C)

77.3

Solubility in water (g/litre)

(20C)

73.5

Specific density (20C)

0.8060

Relative vapour density

1.8

Vapour pressure (kPa) (23.6C)

13.3

Flash point (open cup)

0C

Flash point (closed cup)

-4.4C

Octanol/water partition
coefficient

0.12

Flammability (explosive) limits

3 - 17 %

Relative molecular mass

53.06

Assay

99%

Autoignition temp.

897 F

Refractive index

n20/D
1.391(lit.)

Exposure limit

17%

Colorless liquid with a sweet

pungent odor; vapors may be
ignited from a distance; the
compound can generate
electrostatic charges through
flow or agitation; acrylonitrile
polymerizes when hot, which
may cause containers to
explode; uninhibited acrylonitrile
is explosive at room
temperature; the compound
reacts violently with strong
oxidizers, strong acids and
bases, and silver nitrate; the
compound decomposes in a
fire, releasing harmful gases;
vapor is heavier than air and
may travel along the ground
and assemble at lowest place;
can have adverse effects well
below the odor threshold

2.18.1 Description
Biochem/Physiol Actions
An industrial carcinogen that is a multisite carcinogen in rats and possibly carcinogenic to
humans.
2.18.2 Packaging

210 L in PVC coated

2.18.3 Application
Acrylonitrile is used in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, resins (acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile and others) and nitrile rubbers (butadiene-acrylonitrile).
1. Product Identity and Uses
a. Identity
Chemical formula:
Chemical structure:

C3H3N

Figure 2.12 Chemical Structure of Acrylonitrile

Common trade names: Acrylon; Carbacryl; ENT 54;
Fumigrain; Miller's fumigrain; TL 314; Ventox
Common synonyms: acrylonitrile monomer;
AN; cyanoethylene; 2-propenenitrile;
VCN; vinyl cyanide
Conversion factor
1 mg/m3 - 0.4605 ppm
1 ppm acrylonitrile = 2.17 mg/m3 at 25C and 101.3 kPa
(760 mm Hg).
b. Physical and Chemical Properties
Acrylonitrile is a colourless liquid with a faintly sweet, pungent odour, which dissolves
readily in water. It is explosive and flammable. Some physical and chemical properties
of acrylonitrile are given in the Sample International Chemical Safety Card.
c. Composition
Technical acrylonitrile is more than 99% pure. It is stabilized against selfpolymerization and yellow colour formation by the addition of hydroquinone
monomethyl ether (35-50 mg/kg) and water (0.25-0.45%). Impurities may include
acetone, acetonitrile, aldehydes, iron, hydrogen cyanide, and peroxides.

d. Uses
Acrylonitrile does not occur as a natural product. However, it is produced industrially
on a large scale. The compound is mainly used in the production of synthetic fibers,
resins, and rubbers, and as a chemical intermediate. It is also used in fumigants.
2. Summary and Evaluation
a. Exposure to Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is emitted in significant amounts from factories, both in the air
and in waste waters, and people living nearby may be exposed to the chemical.
Drinking-water and food may be contaminated with acrylonitrile, but levels will be low,
unless the soil or water supplies have been contaminated through accidental spillage
during production, storage, transport, or use. Contamination of food from packaging
materials containing free acrylonitrile is possible.
Experience has shown that workers in factories using acrylonitrile to make other
products run a higher risk of exposure than those in factories producing the chemical,
where it is more easily contained. Exposure in the work-place is through inhalation and
contamination of the skin.
b. Uptake, Metabolism, and Excretion
In animals, acrylonitrile is readily absorbed through the skin and by ingestion and
inhalation. Absorbed acrylonitrile is distributed fairly uniformly within the animal body
but there are no indications that it accumulates in animal tissues following prolonged
exposure. Mercapturic acids are the major metabolites of acrylonitrile in vivo. Urinary
excretion of acrylonitrile-derived mercapturic acid is proportional to the level of
acrylonitrile in the body. Biological monitoring of acrylonitrile-derived mercapturic acids
in human urine is a promising, but insufficiently validated, method for the estimation of
the total uptake of acrylonitrile.
c. Effects on Animals
The compound is regarded as highly toxic for animals when inhaled (LC 50 between
150 and 1250 mg/m3 for a 4-h exposure) and highly toxic when ingested (LD50
between 25 and 200 mg/kg body weight).
Absorption of acrylonitrile vapour mainly affects the gastrointestinal and respiratory
tracts, the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. Similar effects are seen when
liquid acrylonitrile is absorbed through the skin; skin injury may occur a few hours after
exposure. Exposure to some organic solvents in addition to acrylonitrile may
significantly increase its toxic effects on animals.
Acrylonitrile exposure of animals causes damage to the embryo and malformation of
the fetus only at levels approaching those that are toxic for the mothers.
Although acrylonitrile has given positive results in a number of in vitro mutagenicity
tests, it has not been found to be mutagenic in whole animals, so far.

Long-term administration of acrylonitrile to rats, orally or by inhalation, has resulted in

the induction of malignant tumours at several sites, the incidence being dose related.
Acrylonitrile has been shown to be toxic for aquatic organisms, concentrations
between 12 and 70 mg/litre water being lethal for half the number of exposed fish
(LC50) within 2-4 days.
d. Effects on Human Beings
In man, symptoms of overexposure to acrylonitrile include headache, sleeplessness,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, mild jaundice, and irritation and inflammation of
the eyes and respiratory tract including the nose and throat. In more severe cases,
unconsciousness and convulsions may occur. Fatalities have been reported following
the use of fumigant mixtures containing acrylonitrile combined with carbon
tetrachloride and methylene chloride, but exact exposure conditions were not known.
Complaints of ill health in workers, exposed for a number of years to acrylonitrile at
concentrations of less than 45 mg/m3, have been reported in several studies; the
complaints were variable in nature, and were not consistently related to the length of
exposure. These studies do not provide evidence of a specific disease arising from
long-term, low-level exposure to acrylonitrile. At higher concentrations (up to 220
mg/m3), exposure for 20-40 min resulted in complaints of headache, irritation of the
upper respiratory tract and the eyes, nervous irritability, and itching of the skin.
Exposure of the skin to liquid acrylonitrile may cause irritation with reddening and
blisters. Skin inflammation is much more common than allergic skin reactions.
Although there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of acrylonitrile in animals,
the epidemiological studies carried out so far have not provided sufficient evidence of
carcinogenicity in man.
3. Conclusions and Recommendations
It was not possible to establish a level at which no observed adverse effects occurred
on the basis of the experimental and epidemiological data presented to the Task Group.
Therefore, exposure to acrylonitrile should be kept as low as possible in both the work-place
and the general environment, and skin contact with the liquid should be avoided.
2.19

Packaging
2.19.1 Description
A dark 210 liter, fire proof, labeled, tightly closed steel container, separated from food,
oxidizers, strong acids, and bases; silver nitrate, copper(alloys), ammonia, amines, never store
uninhibited acrylonitrile.

Figure 2.13 Packaging of the Product

2.19.2 Country of Origin
Mindanao, Philippines
2.19.3 Supplier/Traders
Mindanao Container Corporation (MCC) Plant is located in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental
which is situated in Northern Mindanao and about 24 kilometers East of Cagayan de Oro
City.
2.19.4 Main Office
6th Floor, Twin Cities Condominium
110 Legazpi Street, Legaspi Village
Makati City 1229, Philippines
Fax Number +63(2) 892-5369
Telephone Numbers +63(2) 892-4304
2.19.5 Brand/Product Name
Tight Head Drum