Page 14 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

4 ACETONlTRlLE

data; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat of Decomposition: Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Air-supplied respirator
or chemical cartridge respirator approved for use with acrylonitrile in less than 2% concentrations;
rubber or plastic gloves; cover goggles or face mask; rubber boots; chemical protective suit; safety
helmet; Symptoms Following Exposure: At low dosages the earliest symptoms may be weakness,
headaches, confusion, sporadic nausea and vomiting. Respiratory rate and depth will usually be
increased at the beginning and at later stages become slow and gasping; General Treatment for
Exposure: Call a physician for all cases of over-exposure. INHALATION: Remove victim to fresh air.
First responderdrescuers should wear suitable respiratory protection. If breathing has stopped, give
artificial respiration until physician arrives. CHRIS advises that if victim is unconscious, administer
amyl nitrate by crushing an ampule in a cloth and holding it under the nose for 15 seconds in every
minute. Do not interrupt artificial respiration during the process. Replace the ampule when its strength
is spent; continue treatment until victim's condition improves or physician arrives. INGESTION If the
victim is conscious, induce vomiting by having him drink strong salt water. SKIN: Remove
contaminated clothing and wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water. Use copious amount of
water. EYES: Hold eyelids apart and wash with continuous, gentle stream of water for at least 15 min.;
Toxicity by Inhalation (ThreshoIdLimit Value) : No data; Short-Tern Exposure Limits: No data; Taxicity
by Ingestion: < 50 mg/kg (rats); Late Toxicity: Causes liver damage in rats; Vapor (Gas) Im'tant
Characteristics: Vapors irritate eyes and respiratory tract when present in high concentrations; however
effects are temporary; Liquid or Solidlm'tant Characteristics: Causes smarting of the skin and first-de-
gree chemical burns on short exposure, and second-degree chemical burns on long exposure; Odor
llreshold: No data found.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point (deg. F): 165 CC; Flammuble Limits in Air (96): 2.2 - 12; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, carbon dioxide; Fire Extinguishing
Agents Not To Be Used Not pertinent; Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic hydrogen
cyanide is generated upon heating; Behavior in Fire: Not pertinent; Ignition Temperature (deg. F):
1270; Electrical Hazard Not pertinent; Burning Rate: No data.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No
reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent;
Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
ACETONITRILE
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Ethanenitrile, Ethyl Nitrate, Cyanomethane, Methyl cyanide;
Chemical Formula: CHJN.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as normully shipped): Liquid; Color: Colorless; Odor:
Sweet; ethereal.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 "c and I atm. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
41.05; Boiling Point at I atm.: 179, 81.6, 354.8; Freezing Point: -50.3, -45.7, 227.5; Critical
Temperature: 526.5, 274.7, 547.9; Critical Pressure: 701, 47.7, 4.83; Specific Gravity: 0.787 at 20
"C (liquid); Vapor (Gas) Density: 1.4; Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas): 1.192; Latent Heat of
Vaporization: 313,174,7.29; Heat of Combustion: -13360, -7420, -310.7; HeatofDecomposition: Not
pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Must wear self
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); Symptoms Following EqDosure: Exposure to 160 ppm for 4
hours causes flushing of the face and feeling of constriction in the chest. Exposure to 500 ppm for brief
periods is irritating to the nose and throat. Severe exposure results in irritability, skin eruptions,
confusion, delirium, convulsions, paralysis, and death due to central nervous system depression;
General Treatment for Exposure: Remove victim from contaminated atmosphere. Apply artificial
respiration and oxygen if respiration is impaired; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 40
ppm; Short-Tern Exposure Limits: 40 ppm for 60 minutes; Toxicity by Ingestion: 500 mglkg (guinea
pig); Late Toxicity: Not pertinent; Vqor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapors cause slight smarting
of the eyes or respiratory system if present in high concentrations. Effects are temporary; Liquid or