3-Hydroxypropiononitril

Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water or foam may cause frothing.

Use powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

Use water spray, dry chemical, "alcohol resistant" foam, or carbon dioxide. Water or foam may cause frothing. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you should spill this chemical, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Seal the absorbent paper, as well as any of your clothing which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash any surfaces you may have contaminated with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants.

Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite, which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Oxygen therapy can also be administered. (L97)

Exposure to high levels of cyanide for a short time harms the brain and heart and can even cause coma, seizures, apnea, cardiac arrest and death. Chronic inhalation of cyanide causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, vomiting, blood changes, headaches, and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Skin contact with cyanide salts can irritate and produce sores. (L96, L97)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethylene cyanohydrin is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of ethylene cyanohydrin from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.3X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Ethylene cyanohydrin is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.0802 mm Hg(4). Biodegradation in soil may be an important environmental fate process as ethylene cyanohydrin is confirmed to be biodegradable according to the standard test of the Japanese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MITI)(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that ethylene cyanohydrin is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.3X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 67 hrs and 33 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC), from its log Kow of -0.94(6) and a regression-derived equation(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Biodegradation in water may be an important environmental fate process as ethylene cyanohydrin is confirmed to be biodegradable according to the standard test of the Japanese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MITI)(8).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), ethylene cyanohydrin, which has a vapor pressure of 0.0802 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase ethylene cyanohydrin is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 21 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 0.75X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) determined using a structure estimation method(3).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour and by ingestion.

Oral (L96) ; inhalation (L96) ; dermal (L96)

Cyanide is an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain (found in the membrane of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells). It complexes with the ferric iron atom in this enzyme. The binding of cyanide to this cytochrome prevents transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted and the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Cyanide is also known produce some of its toxic effects by binding to catalase, glutathione peroxidase, methemoglobin, hydroxocobalamin, phosphatase, tyrosinase, ascorbic acid oxidase, xanthine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Cyanide binds to the ferric ion of methemoglobin to form inactive cyanmethemoglobin. (L97)

Redness.

Redness. Pain.

Cyanide poisoning is identified by rapid, deep breathing and shortness of breath, general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, convulsions/seizures and eventually loss of consciousness. (L96, L97)

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc for ethylene cyanohydrin can be estimated to be about 1(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that ethylene cyanohydrin is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

LIQ CAUSES EYE IRRITATION. IF SWALLOWED, MAY CAUSE SEVERE KIDNEY INJURY.

/IT IS/...CONSIDERED TO BE MODERATELY HAZARDOUS BY INGESTION AND SKIN CONTACT AND SLIGHTLY HAZARDOUS BY INHALATION.

This material seems to be of a very low order of toxicity compared to some nitriles.

D003; A solid waste containing a cyanide cmpd may become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to testing for reactivity as stipulated in 40 CFR 261.23, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste. ... Cyanide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapors or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present a danger to human health or the environment. /Cyanide cmpd/