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Chemical Datasheet

METHACRYLONITRILE, STABILIZED

6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard 3 - Flammable liquid
Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 126-98-7   (METHACRYLONITRILE)
  • Poison Inhalation Hazard
  • Flammable Liquid
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Methylacrylonitrileexternal_link
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
4 2
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless liquid. Less dense than water. Flash point 55°F. Boiling point 195°F. Very be toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Used to make plastics and coatings.

Hazards

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Methacrylonitrile evolves flammable concentrations of vapor at temperatures down to 55.04F. Thus, at room temperatures, flammable concentrations are liable to be present. Toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides are released when the material burns. Also, the chemical will explode due to its tendency to polymerize violently. Avoid heat. Hazardous polymerization may occur. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
A lacrimator (causes tearing); an insidious poison which causes delayed skin reactions. Very readily absorbed through skin. Highly toxic. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
METHACRYLONITRILE is a colorless, flammable, toxic liquid. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat, flame or sparks. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of nitrile and oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 829].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

Response Recommendations

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 3079 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Usual precautions for flammable liquid should be applied. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids - Toxic; polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.

SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methylacrylonitrileexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Effects, including skin reactions, may be delayed. Caution is advised. Vital signs should be monitored closely. Heart palpitation may begin within minutes after exposure.

Note: Methylacrylonitrile is very readily absorbed through the skin.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Methylacrylonitrile Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to methylacrylonitrile may include hypertension (high blood pressure) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate), followed by hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate). Cherry-red mucous membranes and blood, cardiac arrhythmias, and other cardiac abnormalities are common. Cyanosis (blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes) is not a consistent finding. Tachypnea (rapid respiratory rate) may be followed by respiratory depression. Lung hemorrhage and pulmonary edema may also occur. Headache, vertigo (dizziness), agitation, and giddiness may be followed by combative behavior, convulsions, paralysis, protruding eyeballs, dilated and unreactive pupils, and coma. Methylacrylonitrile is irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Lacrimation (tearing) and a burning sensation of the mouth and throat are common. Excessive salivation, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to methylacrylonitrile may require decontamination and life support for the victims. All exposed persons should be transported to a health care facility as quickly as possible. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to methylacrylonitrile.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with methylacrylonitrile- contaminated persons or their gastric contents may result in self- poisoning.
3. RUSH to a health care facility!
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to methylacrylonitrile.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with methylacrylonitrile- contaminated persons or their gastric contents may result in self- poisoning.
3. RUSH to a health care facility!
4. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
5. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
6. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
7. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with methylacrylonitrile- contaminated persons or their gastric contents may result in self- poisoning.
2. RUSH to a health care facility!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
5. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
6. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C4H5N
Flash Point: 55°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 6.8 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -32.4°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 40 mmHg at 55.04°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.31 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 0.8001 at 68°F (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 194°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 67.1 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: 10 to 50 mg/mL at 72°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 4 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Methacrylonitrile (126-98-7)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 1.3 ppm 3.9 ppm
30 minutes NR 1.3 ppm 3.9 ppm
60 minutes NR 1 ppm 3.1 ppm
4 hours NR 0.67 ppm 2 ppm
8 hours NR 0.33 ppm 0.99 ppm
NR = Not recommended
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Methacrylonitrile; (Methylacrylonitrile) (126-98-7) 0.091 ppm 1 ppm 3.1 ppm LEL = 20000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
2-Propenenitrile, 2-methyl- 126-98-7 500 pounds 1000 pounds 1000 pounds X U152 10000 pounds
Methacrylonitrile 126-98-7 500 pounds 1000 pounds 1000 pounds 313 U152 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Methacrylonitrile; [2-Propenenitrile, 2-methyl-] 126-98-7 1.00 % 10000 pounds toxic

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Methyl Acrylonitrile 126-98-7 250 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.