Common Name: PHENYL ACETONITRILE

CAS Number: 140-29-4 RTK Substance number: 1490

DOT Number: UN 2470 Date: July 2000
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HAZARD SUMMARY WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS

* Phenyl Acetonitrile can affect you when breathed in and No occupational exposure limits have been established for
by passing through your skin. Phenyl Acetonitrile. This does not mean that this substance
* Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be
* Breathing Phenyl Acetonitrile can irritate the nose, throat followed.
and lungs causing coughing, wheezing and/or shortness of
breath. * It should be recognized that Phenyl Acetonitrile can be
* High exposure to Phenyl Acetonitrile can cause absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your
headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and confusion. exposure.
Higher levels can cause convulsions and death.
* CONSULT THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE
HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES HAZARDOUS * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust
SUBSTANCE FACT SHEET ON HYDROGEN CYANIDE. ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust
ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be
IDENTIFICATION worn.
Phenyl Acetonitrile is a colorless, oily liquid. It is used in * Wear protective work clothing.
making medicines, perfumes, and flavorings. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Phenyl
Acetonitrile and at the end of the workshift.
REASON FOR CITATION * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In
* Phenyl Acetonitrile is on the Hazardous Substance List addition, as part of an ongoing education and training
because it is cited by DOT, DEP, NFPA and EPA. effort, communicate all information on the health and
* Definitions are provided on page 5. safety hazards of Phenyl Acetonitrile to potentially
exposed workers.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING
EXPOSED
The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most employers
to label chemicals in the workplace and requires public
employers to provide their employees with information and
training concerning chemical hazards and controls. The
federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200,
requires private employers to provide similar training and
information to their employees.

* Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely

evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area
air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results
from your employer. You have a legal right to this
information under OSHA 1910.1020.
* If you think you are experiencing any work-related health
problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational
diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you.
 PHENYL ACETONITRILE page 2 of 6

This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal
potential and most severe health hazards that may result from right to this information under OSHA 1910.1020.
exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the
substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to Mixed Exposures
any of the potential effects described below. * Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may
worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical
HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time,
stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health
Acute Health Effects problems.
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur
immediately or shortly after exposure to Phenyl Acetonitrile: WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES
* Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes. Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous
* Breathing Phenyl Acetonitrile can irritate the nose and substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most
throat causing coughing and wheezing. effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to
* High exposure to Phenyl Acetonitrile can cause enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at
headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and confusion. the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also
Higher levels can cause convulsions and death. reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is
less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is
Chronic Health Effects sometimes necessary.
The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Phenyl Acetonitrile and can last In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider:
for months or years: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the
substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether
Cancer Hazard harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls
* According to the information presently available to the should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible.
Phenyl Acetonitrile has not been tested for its ability to
cause cancer in animals. In addition, the following control is recommended:

Reproductive Hazard * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Phenyl

* According to the information presently available to the Acetonitrile from drums or other storage containers to
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, process containers.
Phenyl Acetonitrile has not been tested for its ability to
affect reproduction. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous
exposures. The following work practices are recommended:
Other Long-Term Effects
* Phenyl Acetonitrile can irritate the lungs. Repeated * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Phenyl
exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, Acetonitrile should change into clean clothing promptly.
phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by
individuals who have been informed of the hazards of
MEDICAL exposure to Phenyl Acetonitrile.
* Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate
Medical Testing work area for emergency use.
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency
following are recommended: shower facilities should be provided.
* On skin contact with Phenyl Acetonitrile, immediately
* Lung function tests. wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the
* Urine thiocyanate levels. workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have
contacted Phenyl Acetonitrile, whether or not known skin
Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and contact has occurred.
present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Phenyl Acetonitrile is
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be
exposure. swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating, drinking,
smoking, or using the toilet.
 PHENYL ACETONITRILE page 3 of 6

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT * Phenyl Acetonitrile is not compatible with OXIDIZING

AGENTS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES,
WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, NITRATES,
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE); STRONG
some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and
done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace NITRIC); STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM
controls are being installed), personal protective equipment HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); and
may be appropriate. REDUCING AGENTS.
* Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
OSHA 1910.132 requires employers to determine the area.
appropriate personal protective equipment for each hazard and * Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are
to train employees on how and when to use protective prohibited where Phenyl Acetonitrile is used, handled, or
equipment. stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or
explosion hazard.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may
not apply to every situation. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Clothing Q: If I have acute health effects, will I later get chronic
* Avoid skin contact with Phenyl Acetonitrile. Wear health effects?
protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment A: Not always. Most chronic (long-term) effects result
suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on from repeated exposures to a chemical.
the most protective glove/clothing material for your
operation. Q: Can I get long-term effects without ever having short-
* All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) term effects?
should be clean, available each day, and put on before A: Yes, because long-term effects can occur from repeated
work. exposures to a chemical at levels not high enough to
* Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Butyl Rubber make you immediately sick.
and Polyvinyl Alcohol as protective materials.
Q: What are my chances of getting sick when I have been
Eye Protection exposed to chemicals?
* Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles A: The likelihood of becoming sick from chemicals is
when working with liquids. increased as the amount of exposure increases. This is
* Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with determined by the length of time and the amount of
corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. material to which someone is exposed.

Respiratory Protection Q: When are higher exposures more likely?

IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. A: Conditions which increase risk of exposure include
Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a physical and mechanical processes (heating, pouring,
written program that takes into account workplace conditions, spraying, spills and evaporation from large surface areas
requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and such as open containers), and "confined space"
medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. exposures (working inside vats, reactors, boilers, small
rooms, etc.).
* Where the potential for overexposure exists, use a
MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full Q: Is the risk of getting sick higher for workers than for
facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- community residents?
pressure mode. For increased protection use in A: Yes. Exposures in the community, except possibly in
combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing cases of fires or spills, are usually much lower than those
apparatus operated in a pressure-demand or other positive- found in the workplace. However, people in the
pressure mode. community may be exposed to contaminated water as
well as to chemicals in the air over long periods. This
may be a problem for children or people who are already
HANDLING AND STORAGE ill.

* Prior to working with Phenyl Acetonitrile you should be

trained on its proper handling and storage.
* Phenyl Acetonitrile may react explosively with SODIUM
HYPOCHLORITE.
PHENYL ACETONITRILE page 4 of 6

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The following information is available from:

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

Occupational Health Service
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
(609) 984-1863
(609) 292-5677 (fax)

Web address: http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/odisweb/

Industrial Hygiene Information

Industrial hygienists are available to answer your questions
regarding the control of chemical exposures using exhaust
ventilation, special work practices, good housekeeping, good
hygiene practices, and personal protective equipment
including respirators. In addition, they can help to interpret
the results of industrial hygiene survey data.

Medical Evaluation
If you think you are becoming sick because of exposure to
chemicals at your workplace, you may call personnel at the
Department of Health and Senior Services, Occupational
Health Service, who can help you find the information you
need.

Public Presentations
Presentations and educational programs on occupational
health or the Right to Know Act can be organized for labor
unions, trade associations and other groups.

Right to Know Information Resources

The Right to Know Infoline (609) 984-2202 can answer
questions about the identity and potential health effects of
chemicals, list of educational materials in occupational health,
references used to prepare the Fact Sheets, preparation of the
Right to Know survey, education and training programs,
labeling requirements, and general information regarding the
Right to Know Act. Violations of the law should be reported
to (609) 984-2202.
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 PHENYL ACETONITRILE page 5 of 6

DEFINITIONS
ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
Industrial Hygienists. It recommends upper limits (called is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.

A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. NAERG is the North American Emergency Response
Guidebook. It was jointly developed by Transport Canada,
The CAS number is assigned by the Chemical Abstracts the United States Department of Transportation and the
Service to identify a specific chemical. Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico.
It is a guide for first responders to quickly identify the specific
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will or generic hazards of material involved in a transportation
burn. incident, and to protect themselves and the general public
during the initial response phase of the incident.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
irreversible damage to human tissue or containers. NCI is the National Cancer Institute, a federal agency that
determines the cancer-causing potential of chemicals.
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It
classifies substances according to their fire and explosion
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency hazard.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves respirators,
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards. conducts studies of workplace hazards, and proposes
standards to OSHA.
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that chemicals and reviews evidence for cancer.
will ignite easily and burn rapidly.
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid which adopts and enforces health and safety standards.
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
PEOSHA is the Public Employees Occupational Safety and
HHAG is the Human Health Assessment Group of the federal Health Act, a state law which sets PELs for New Jersey public
EPA. employees.

IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
scientific group that classifies chemicals according to their measure of concentration by volume in air.
cancer-causing potential.
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
A miscible substance is a liquid or gas that will evenly energy under certain conditions.
dissolve in another.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of damaging the fetus.
air. It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
TLV is the Threshold Limit Value, the workplace exposure
MSHA is the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the limit recommended by ACGIH.
federal agency that regulates mining. It also evaluates and
approves respirators. The vapor pressure is a measure of how readily a liquid or a
solid mixes with air at its surface. A higher vapor pressure
indicates a higher concentration of the substance in air and
therefore increases the likelihood of breathing it in.
 page 6 of 6
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> E M E R G E N C Y I N F O R M A T I O N <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Common Name: PHENYL ACETONITRILE HANDLING AND STORAGE (See page 3)

DOT Number: UN 2470
NAERG Code: 152 FIRST AID
CAS Number: 140-29-4
In NJ, for POISON INFORMATION call 1-800-764-7661
Hazard rating NJDHSS NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 1 Eye Contact
* Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least
REACTIVITY - 0 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
COMBUSTIBLE
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE Skin Contact
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE * Remove contaminated clothing. Wash contaminated skin
with soap and water.
Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate;
3=serious; 4=severe Breathing
* Remove the person from exposure.
FIRE HAZARDS * Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped.
* Phenyl Acetonitrile is a COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
* Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, alcohol or polymer
foam extinguishers.
Antidotes and Special Procedures
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE,
* Use Amyl Nitrate capsules if symptoms develop. All area
including Hydrogen Cyanide and Nitrogen Oxides.
employees should be trained regularly in emergency
* CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE.
treatment of Cyanide poisoning and in CPR. A Cyanide
* Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
antidote kit MUST be rapidly available and ingredients
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
replaced every 1 to 2 years to ensure freshness.
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
PHYSICAL DATA
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Phenyl Acetonitrile is spilled or leaked, take the following Vapor Pressure: 0.1 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
steps: Flash Point: 235oF (113oC)
Water Solubility: Insoluble
* Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from
area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Cover with dry lime, sand or soda ash, and place in covered
Chemical Name:
containers for disposal.
Benzeneacetonitrile
* Ventilate and wash area after clean-up is complete.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Phenyl Other Names:
Acetonitrile as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your alpha-Tolunitrile; Benzyl Cyanide
state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your
regional office of the federal Environmental Protection ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial
* If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be purposes.
properly trained and equipped. OSHA 1910.120(q) may be ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
applicable. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SENIOR SERVICES
============================================= Right to Know Program
FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire PO Box 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
department. You can request emergency information from the (609) 984-2202
following: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300

NJDEP HOTLINE: (609) 292-7172
=============================================