Acrylonitrile

**Semantic type:** Hazardous or Poisonous Substance|Organic Chemical

**Definition:** A colorless, volatile liquid with a pungent, onion-like odor. Acrylonitrile is widely used in industry to produce rubber, resins, plastics, elastomers and synthetic fibers and to manufacture carbon fibers used in aircraft, defense and aerospace industries. Exposure to acrylonitrile irritates the mucous membranes and causes a headache, nausea, dizziness, impaired judgment, difficulty breathing, limb weakness, cyanosis, convulsions and collapse. Acrylonitrile is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen and may be associated with an increased risk of developing lung and prostate cancer. (NCI05)

**Synonyms:** - 2-Propenenitrile - ACRYLONITRILE - Cyanoethylene - Vinyl Cyanide - Vinylcyanide - acrylonitrile