Page 1 of 6
SAFETY DATA SHEET
1000 Tedia Way 24-Hour Emergency Number (CHEMTREC)
Fairfield, Ohio 45014 USA: 800-424-9300
USA International: 703-527-3887
Email: tedia@tedia.com _____________________________________
Web: www.tedia.com All non-emergency numbers should be directed
to Customer Service at 800-PURITY1
ACETONITRILE SDS No. M0004
1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Product Name: Acetonitrile
Synonyms: ACN, Cyanomethane, Ethanenitrile, Ethyl Nitrile, Methyl Cyanide, Methanecarbonitrile
Recommended Use: This product is recommended for laboratory and manufacturing use only. It is not recommended for
drug, food or household use.
2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Classification:
Flammable Liquids: GHS Category 2
Acute Toxicity, Oral: GHS Category 4
Acute Toxicity, inhalation: GHS Category 4
Acute Toxicity, Dermal: GHS Category 4
Eye Irritation: GHS Category 2A
Label Elements
Signal Word: DANGER!
Hazard Statements:
H225 – Highly flammable liquid and vapor.
H302 – Harmful if swallowed.
H312 – Harmful in contact with skin.
H319 – Causes serious eye irritation.
H332 – Harmful if inhaled.
Precautionary Statements:
P210 – Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. – No smoking.
P233 – Keep container tightly closed.
P241 – Use explosion proof electrical/ventilation/lighting/equipment.
P243 – Take precautionary measures against static discharge.
P261 – Avoid breathing dust/fumes/gas/mist/vapor/spray.
Page 2 of 6
P270 – Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using this product.
P280 – Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P301+P312 - IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or a doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
P303+P361+P353 – If on skin or hair: Remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with
water/shower.
P304+P340+P312 - IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Call a POISON
CENTER/ doctor if you feel unwell.
P305+P351+P338 - IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and
easy to do - continue rinsing.
P501 – Dispose of contents/container at an approved waste disposal plant.
Emergency Overview
Highly flammable liquid and vapor. May be harmful if inhaled, absorbed through the skin, or swallowed. Affects the
cardiovascular system, central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. May cause irritation to the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract.
May metabolize to cyanide in the body. Target Organs: Kidneys, central nervous system, liver, respiratory system,
cardiovascular system, eyes.
HMIS Rating:
Health – 2* Flammability – 3 Physical Hazard – 0 PPE – User supplied
NOTE: HMIS ratings use a numbering scale that ranges from 0 - 4 to indicate the degree of hazard. A value of zero means
the chemical presents no hazard while a value of four indicates a high hazard. These ratings are based on the inherent
properties of this chemical under expected conditions of normal use and are not intended to be used in emergency
situations. PPE is determined by the user based on their needs and conditions.
3. COMPOSITION AND INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
Acetonitrile 75-05-8 100% Yes
4. FIRST-AID MEASURES
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If breathing is labored or with coughing, give 100% supplemental oxygen. If not
breathing, begin artificial respiration, but DO NOT give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Ingestion: If swallowed, get medical attention immediately; DO NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. DO NOT give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and
shoes. Cover irritated skin with an emollient or anti-bacterial cream. Soap and cold water may be used. Get medical
attention immediately. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Eye Contact: Check for and remove contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.
Notes to Physician: Exposure should be treated as a cyanide poisoning. Effects may be delayed. For methemoglobinemia,
administer oxygen alone or oxygen with Methylene Blue depending on the methemoglobin concentration in the blood. May
be partially metabolized in the body. Always have a cyanide antidote kit on hand when working with cyanide compounds.
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor (GHS Category 2)
Auto-ignition Temperature: 534o C (975.2o F)
Flash Point: 35.6 °F (2 °C) (closed cup)
Flammable Limits: Lower Limit – 3.0 vol %, Upper Limit – 16.0 vol %
Products of Combustion: May decompose into toxic products under fire conditions (hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, carbon, dioxide).
Specific Fire Hazards: As in any fire, always wear self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand (MSA/NIOSH
approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire exposed containers cool. Approach fire from
Page 3 of 6
upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel to a
source of ignition and flash back. Vapors can spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas.
Specific Explosion Hazards: None
Fire Fighting Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or appropriate foam.
National Fire Protective Association: Health - 2, Flammability - 3, Reactivity - 0
NOTE: NFPA ratings use a numbering scale that ranges from 0 - 4 to indicate the degree of hazard. A value of zero means
the chemical presents no hazard while a value of four indicates a high hazard. They are for use by emergency personnel to
address the hazards that are presented by short term, acute exposure to this product under fire, spill, or similar
emergencies. Ratings involve data and interpretations that may vary from company to company.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Absorb spilled liquid with sorbent pads, socks, or other inert material such as vermiculite, sand, or earth. Provide ventilation
to the affected area and remove all ignition sources. Approach the spill from upwind and pick up absorbed material and
place it in a suitable container. Always use proper personal protective equipment as described in section 8.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Precautions: Always use proper personal protective equipment as described in section 8. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Ground and bond containers when transferring material. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Remove contaminated
clothing and wash before reuse. Empty containers contain product residue (liquid and vapor) and can be dangerous. Keep
container tightly closed and away from heat, spark, and flame. Do not pressurize, cut, weld, braze, solder, drill, grind, or
expose empty containers to heat, sparks, or open flames. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapor or mist.
Storage: Keep in a flammables area away from all sources of ignition and oxidizing materials. Keep in a tightly closed
container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Protect from moisture.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Engineering Controls: Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment. Facilities storing or using the material should be equipped
with eyewash station and a safety shower. Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne
concentrations below the permissible exposure limits.
Personal Protection: Wear chemical splash goggles. Use appropriate protective gloves and protective clothing to prevent
skin exposure. A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or
European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever possible. Always use a NIOSH or European Standard EN 149
approved respirators when necessary.
Exposure Limits:
ACGIH – 20 ppm TWA; Skin – potential significant contribution to overall exposure by cutaneous route
NIOSH – 20 ppm TWA; 34 mg/m3 TWA; 500 ppm IDLH
OSHA Final PELs – 40 ppm TWA; 70 mg/m3 TWA
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical State and Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid.
Odor: Sweetish, ethereal odor
Odor Threshold: 170 ppm
Molecular Formula: CH3CN
Molecular Weight: 41.05
Auto-ignition Temperature: 534o C (975.2o F)
Flash Point: 35.6 °F (2 °C) (closed cup)
Flammable Limits: Lower Limit – 3.0 vol %, Upper Limit – 16.0 vol %
pH: Not available.
Boiling Point: 81.6o C @ 760 mm Hg
Freezing/Melting Point: -45o C
Decomposition Temperature: > 500o C
Page 4 of 6
Specific Gravity: 0.7810 g/cm3
Vapor Density (Air=1): 1.42
Vapor Pressure: 88.8 mm Hg @ 25o C.
Viscosity: 0.36 cP 20o C
Solubility: Soluble
Conductivity (20oC): Conductive; Conductivity = 7x108 pS/m; Dielectric Constant = 37.5; Relaxation Time Constant = 5x10-7
seconds
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures.
Conditions to Avoid: Ignition sources, excess heat, exposure to moist air or water.
Incompatibility with Various Substances: Strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, strong acids.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin absorption, skin contact
Acute Exposure:
INHALATION HAZARD - May be harmful if inhaled. Can irritate respiratory tract or possibly cause lung damage. Breaks
down slowly in the body releasing cyanide ion and very high concentrations may produce cyanide poisoning.
Symptoms are usually delayed several hours and include stomach or intestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
irritation (nose, throat, airways), headache, central nervous system depression (dizziness, drowsiness, weakness,
fatigue, nausea, headache, unconsciousness), muscle weakness, kidney effects, effects on heart rate, loss of
coordination, cyanosis (causes blue coloring of the skin and nails from lack of oxygen), lung edema (fluid buildup in the
lung tissue). Victims may have an irregular heartbeat and feel tightness in the chest. Severe overexposure may result
in death.
INGESTION HAZARD: May cause tissue anoxia with symptoms of dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, nausea,
headache, unconsciousness, effects on heart rate, loss of coordination, cyanosis (causes blue coloring of the skin and
nails from lack of oxygen), and coma. Severe overexposure may result in death. In single dose toxicity studies by
various routes, different animal species and different individuals of the same species displayed widely varying
susceptibility to acetonitrile. The oral LD50 range for mammals was 140-6762 mg/kg body weight. A well conducted
study of mice calculated an oral LD50 of 617 mg/kg.
SKIN CONTACT HAZARD: Causes mild irritation. May be absorbed into body. Absorbed material may be metabolized into
cyanide which inhibits cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Poisoning from dermal contact has been
reported and an LD50 > 2000 mg/kg was obtained in a well conducted acute dermal toxicity study in rabbits.
EYE CONTACT HAZARD: Causes irritation and excessive tearing. May cause minor reversible damage.
Chronic Exposure: Acetonitrile is toxic to blood kidneys, liver, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, upper respiratory
tract, skin, eyes, and central nervous system. It may be toxic to the reproductive system. Repeated or prolonged exposure
can produce target organ damage. Repeated exposure may produce general deterioration of health in target organs.
Acetonitrile may be metabolized to cyanide in the body which inhibits cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration.
Classified as a toxin to the female reproductive system. Suspected of being a toxin to the male reproductive system.
Animal studies demonstrate that cyanide would cause toxic effects in the fetus at exposure levels that would be toxic to the
parent.
Animal Toxicity:
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 100 uL/24H Moderate;
Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 2693 ppm/1H;
Inhalation, rabbit: LC50 = 2828 ppm/4H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 7551 ppm/8H;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 269 mg/kg;
Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 50 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 2460 mg/kg;
Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 2000 mg/kg;
Page 5 of 6
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65
Epidemiology: Three volunteers were exposed for 4 hours at 40, 80, and 160 ppm acetonitrile. At 40 ppm, odor was
detected, after which olfactory fatigue was noted. At this concentration, two persons had no signs of response, including no
appreciable blood or urinary cyanide or thiocyanate. The third person experienced slight tightness in the chest that evening.
A sensation of cooling in the lungs was observed and persisted for 24 hours. Traces of urinary thiocyanate were recorded.
Teratogenicity: In most of the available assays, teratogenicity was associated with maternal toxicity. In a well conducted
study, rats exposed by inhalation to acetonitrile did not result in significant fetal effects, even in concentrations that were
overtly toxic to the dam. In this study, a maternal NOAEL of 1200 ppm and NOAEL of 1200 ppm with respect to
developmental toxicity were established. A case-control study of pregnancy outcome among Finnish lab workers revealed n
association between exposure to acetonitrile and increased risk of spontaneous abortion in mothers, or malformation and
birth weight in their children.
Reproductive Effects: In relation to fertility, there is no information available in humans and there are no animal studies
specifically investigating such effects. However, no changes were seen in weight of the right cauda or right testis and no
effect on sperm motility in rats or mice exposed for 13 weeks with 100, 200, and 400 ppm to acetonitrile.
Mutagenicity: No information available.
Neurotoxicity: No information available.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity:
Fish: Fathead minnow: 1150 ppm; 24 Hr; TLm (hard water);
Fish: Fathead minnow: 1000 mg/L; 96 Hr; TLm (soft water);
Fish: Bluegill/Sunfish: 1850 mg/L; 96 Hr; TLm (soft water);
Fish: Fathead minnow: 1640 mg/L; 96 Hr; LC50 (flow-bioassay);
Fish: Fathead minnow: 1640 mg/L; 96 Hr; EC50 (flow-bioassay) No data available;
Environmental Fate: Estimated Koc value = 16. Acetonitrile is expected to weakly adsorb to most soils based on the Koc
value. Volitization from soil surfaces and leaching into ground water is expected to be significant. Estimated BCF value =
0.3. This value indicates that acetonitrile will not significantly bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms or adsorb to suspended
solids and sediments in water. Acetonitrile is unreactive towards photochemically-generated free radicals and direct
photolysis in the gaseous phase. Biodegradable
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Material that cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste facility.
Processing use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. Waste generators must
decide if discarded material is a hazardous waste. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal
definitions found in 40 CFR 261.3. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local
requirements. This material is a “U” listed waste (U003 – ignitable, toxic waste).
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
US DOT
Proper Shipping Name: Acetonitrile
Hazard Class: 3
UN Number: UN1648
Packing Group: II
Reportable Quantity; 5,000 lbs.
US IMDG
Proper Shipping Name: Acetonitrile
Hazard Class: 3
UN Number: UN1648
Packing Group: II
EMS No.: F-E, S-D
Page 6 of 6
US IATA
Proper Shipping Name: Acetonitrile
Hazard Class: 3
UN Number: UN1648
Packing Group: II
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
US Federal Regulations:
TSCA: CAS# 75-05-8 is listed on the TSCA Inventory.
Health and Safety Reporting List: CAS# 75-05-8 – Effective 10/4/82, sunset 10/4/92.
Chemical Test Rules: CAS# 75-05-8 – 40 CFR 799.5115
Section 12b: CAS# 75-05-8 – Section 4, 1% de minimis rule
TSCA Significant New Use Rule: Does not have an SNUR under TSCA.
CERCLA Hazardous Substances: CAS# 75-05-8 – 5000 lb final RQ; 2270 kg final RQ
SARA Section 302: Does not have a TPQ
SARA Codes: CAS# 75-05-8 – immediate, delayed, fire;
Section 313: Acetonitrile (CAS# 75-05-8) is subject to SARA Title III Section 313 and 40 CFR 373 reporting
requirements.
Clean Air Act: CAS# 75-05-8 is listed as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP). It is not a Class 1 Ozone Depleter. It is not a
Class 2 Ozone Depleter.
Clean Water Act: CAS# 75-05-8 is not listed as a Hazardous Substance. It is not a Priority Pollutant. It is not a Toxic
Pollutant.
OSHA: Not considered highly hazardous by OSHA.
US State Regulations:
CAS# 75-05-8 is on the following state right-to-know lists: California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and
Massachusetts
California Prop 65: This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth
defects, or other reproductive harm.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Originally Prepared: 1/1/2006
Last Revised: 2/18/2022: Updated flash point to closed cup temperature.
The information contained herein is based on current knowledge and experience; no responsibility is accepted that the
information is sufficient or correct in all cases. Users should consider these data only as a supplement to other information
gathered by them and must make independent determinations of suitability and completeness of information from all
sources to assure proper use and disposal of these materials and the safety and health of employees and customers and
the protection of the environment.
TEDIA COMPANY, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE
INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, TEDIA COMPANY, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
