Acetonitrile: general information
Updated 26 May 2022
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Acetonitrile is a colourless, highly flammable liquid. Other names for acetonitrile are methyl cyanide and cyanomethane.
Uses of acetonitrile
It is used in industry extraction solvent, in the moulding of plastics, a laboratory solvent, in perfume production and as a starting material in the production of other industrial chemicals.
How acetonitrile gets into the environment
Acetonitrile is released into the environment during the burning of wood, straw and other plants. Small amounts may also enter the environment from vehicle exhaust and manufacturing and industrial facilities such as plastic, fibre, perfume and pharmaceutical industries.
Exposure to acetonitrile
The general public may be exposed to low levels of acetonitrile as a contaminant in air or by cigarette smoking. Exposure to acetonitrile is more likely to occur in an occupational setting. However, safe limits are enforced to protect the employees – occupational exposure levels are set to be below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.
How exposure to acetonitrile can affect your health
The presence of acetonitrile in the environment does not always lead to adverse effects. In order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed to acetonitrile by breathing or drinking the substance, or by skin contact with it.
Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Inhalation, ingestion or skin exposure to acetonitrile can cause:
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headache
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a feeling of sickness
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dizziness
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nervousness
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confusion
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drowsiness
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palpitations
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dermatitis
There may also be a loss of consciousness, fitting, vomiting and low blood pressure. In cases of high exposure poisoning, deep coma and heart and breathing problems can occur.
Eye exposure to acetonitrile can cause tearing, pain, redness, swelling and sensitivity to light.
Acetonitrile and cancer
There was insufficient data available at the time of assessment for the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify acetonitrile on its ability to cause cancer in humans.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
There is limited data available on the effects of exposure to acetonitrile during pregnancy. Therefore, is not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur at levels that harm the mother.
Children
Children exposed to acetonitrile would be expected to display similar effects to those seen in exposed adults.
What to do if you are exposed to acetonitrile
It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of acetonitrile high enough to cause adverse health effects. However, if you have any health concerns regarding exposure to acetonitrile seek guidance from your GP or contact NHS 111.
Additional information
NHS.UK information on poisoning.
The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.
Email chemcompendium@phe.gov.uk or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance.