Acrylonitrile & Potential Exposure Risks
The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes acrylonitrile as a colorless, liquid, man-made chemical with a sharp, onion- or garlic-like odor that can be dissolved in water and evaporates quickly.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) calls acrylonitrile a toxic, colorless to pale-yellow liquid, harmful to the eyes, skin, lungs and nervous system. NIOSH also reports that it may cause cancer. Exposure routes include inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact, with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done.
Acrylonitrile is used in many industries to make various useful plastics, rubbers and chemicals. Some examples of workers at potential risk of being exposed to acrylonitrile include the following according to NIOSH:
• Workers involved in the manufacturing of acrylic fibers and plastics
• Employees who work in the coatings and adhesive industries
• Workers in the manufacture of other chemicals like adiponitrile
• Factory workers producing nitrile rubber products
For the general population, ATSDR asserts that unless a person lives near a factory where acrylonitrile is made or near a hazardous waste site that contains acrylonitrile, they are unlikely to be exposed to it. The agency also states that there is evidence that children are much more sensitive to exposure to acrylonitrile than adults.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) currently classifies acrylonitrile as possibly carcinogenic. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added it to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 back in 1987.
Fortunately, there are published exposure limits from NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) meant to protect workers.
These are just a few things to know about acrylonitrile and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, chemical, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark https://www.csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. https://www.emsl.com
LA Testing https://www.latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental https://www.zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine https://www.healthyindoors.com