Acrylonitrile safety data sheet

The permissible exposure limits for acrylonitrile are an 8‑hour time‑weighted average of 2 parts per million (2 ppm) and a 15‑minute short‑term exposure limit of 10 ppm. See the Substance Safety Data Sheet for Acrylonitrile in 1910.1045 App A for these values and the prohibition on skin and eye contact with liquid acrylonitrile.

No — you must not rely on your sense of smell to detect acrylonitrile because it has a detectable odor only at levels (13–19 ppm) above the permissible exposure limits. The SDS in 1910.1045 App A explicitly warns that odor is not a reliable warning and notes you should proceed immediately to fresh air if you can smell acrylonitrile while wearing a respirator.

You may use only respirators that are approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for organic vapors (organic‑vapor cartridges/canisters) when protecting against acrylonitrile vapors. The acrylonitrile SDS in 1910.1045 App A requires NIOSH‑approved respirators for organic vapors and notes respirators must fit snugly and not be loosened when required.

Cartridges or canisters must be changed daily or before the end of their service life, whichever comes first. The Substance Safety Data Sheet for Acrylonitrile in 1910.1045 App A explains cartridges can become exhausted without a noticeable odor and mandates daily replacement or earlier if service life ends.

Respirators are required for nonroutine activities, emergencies, while engineering controls are being implemented to reduce exposures, and in areas where engineering controls are not feasible. See the respirator guidance in the Acrylonitrile SDS at 1910.1045 App A for these situations.

You must wear impervious clothing, gloves, and splash‑proof safety goggles or a face shield to prevent skin and eye contact with liquid acrylonitrile. The SDS in 1910.1045 App A also states contact lenses should not be worn where eye contact could occur and that skin or eye contact with liquid AN is prohibited.

You must immediately remove the contaminated clothing and wash the affected skin with water; contaminated leather shoes or other leather articles should be discarded. The acrylonitrile SDS in 1910.1045 App A explains that blistering can occur hours after contact if clothing is not removed promptly and that contaminated leather must not be reused.

Impervious clothing wet with liquid acrylonitrile must be washed down with water before you remove it because such clothing can be easily ignited. The acrylonitrile SDS in 1910.1045 App A gives this specific precaution.

Move the exposed person to fresh air at once and start artificial respiration if breathing has stopped; keep the person warm and at rest and get medical attention promptly. The emergency first aid procedures for inhalation are set out in 1910.1045 App A.

Amyl nitrite pearls (at least two dozen, 0.3 ml each) are recommended to be available as an antidote, but they should be used only by a properly trained individual following established emergency procedures. The SDS in 1910.1045 App A specifies these first aid supplies and training requirements.

Acrylonitrile must be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, well‑ventilated area away from heat, sparks, flames, strong oxidizers, strong bases, copper and its alloys, ammonia, and amines. The SDS in 1910.1045 App A lists these storage and segregation precautions and emphasizes flare/explosion risks from vapors.

You must use non‑sparking tools when opening or closing metal containers and bond and ground containers when pouring or transferring liquid acrylonitrile. These handling precautions are specified in the Acrylonitrile SDS at 1910.1045 App A because acrylonitrile vapors can form explosive mixtures with air.

No — employees are not allowed to keep food, beverages, or smoking materials, nor eat or smoke, in regulated areas where acrylonitrile concentrations are above the permissible exposure limits. The prohibition is stated in 1910.1045 App A.

Employers must make fire extinguishers and quick drenching facilities readily available and ensure employees know their locations and how to operate them. The acrylonitrile SDS in 1910.1045 App A requires these emergency provisions.

Employers are required to inform employees each year of the information contained in the Substance Safety Data Sheet for acrylonitrile and instruct them in proper work practices, emergency procedures, and correct use of protective equipment. This annual access and training requirement is described in 1910.1045 App A.

Employees or their representatives have the right to observe exposure measurements and to record the results obtained, and the employer must inform employees of their exposure. The access and monitoring rights are explained in 1910.1045 App A.

An employer must keep exposure and medical records for at least 40 years or for the period of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer. The record retention requirement is stated in 1910.1045 App A.

Any non‑impervious clothing or shoes contaminated with acrylonitrile must be promptly removed and either laundered or discarded after decontamination; do not rewear leather articles once acrylonitrile has penetrated them. The SDS in 1910.1045 App A gives these decontamination and disposal instructions.

Yes — in some situations supplied‑air suits may be necessary, and the employer must instruct employees in the proper use and operation of those suits. The use and training requirement for supplied‑air suits is described in 1910.1045 App A.

Workers should be told that short‑term exposure can cause eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, headache, sneezing, weakness, light‑headedness and at high levels loss of consciousness or death, while long‑term exposure has been shown to cause cancer and repeated skin contact can cause irritation or dermatitis. These health effects and reporting advice are summarized in 1910.1045 App A.