Acrylonitrile reproductive effects

Birth defects have been seen in animals exposed to high concentrations of acrylonitrile in the air or drinking water. Reproductive effects have been seen in animals given acrylonitrile in drinking water for three generations. However, no birth defects or effects on reproduction have been reported in humans. Further information on the health effects of acrylonitrile in humans and animals can be found Chapter 2. 

No studies were located regarding reproductive effects in humans or animals following inhalation exposure to acrylonitrile. 

Reproductive Effects. There are no data available on the reproductive effects in humans. However, a three-generation reproduction study in rats showed that acrylonitrile has an effect on reproduction. 

SAFETY PROFILE A human poison by inhalation. Experimental poison by inhalation, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact. Experimental reproductive effects. Corrosive. A severe skin and eye irritant. An allergen and sensitizer. Mutation data reported. Flammable liquid when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Can react violently with acetic acid, acetic anhydride, acrolein, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, aUyl chloride, CS2, chlorosulfonic acid, epichlorohydrin, ethylene chlorohydrin, HCl, mesityl oxide, HNO3, oleum, AgC104, H2SO4, p-propiolactone, or vinyl acetate. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical, alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx and NH3. See also AMINES. 

In animals, drinking water that contains 142 ppm of acrylonitrile has caused nervous system disorders leading to death (Table 1-4). Birth defects and effects on reproduction have occurred in animals that breathed acrylonitrile in air at levels of 80 ppm or drank it in water at 180 ppm. 

There is information on intermediate-duration oral exposure in animals. Studies revealed decreased reproductive indices, decreased sperm count and tubular degeneration in rats and mice. Blood cell counts were low in rats and there was evidence of ulcerogenic effects in dogs. Acrylonitrile was also lethal in dogs. Data in animals were sufficient to derive an intermediate-duration oral MRL. Further studies in animals would be useful in defining threshold for these effects. 

Reproductive Toxicity. No studies have been conducted in humans regarding reproductive toxicity of acrylonitrile after inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure or inhalation and dermal exposures in animals. Studies in male mice have shown that exposure to acrylonitrile in drinking water affects sperm count and results in tubular degeneration. No effects on male reproductive organs have been reported in... 

Acute animal tests in rats, mice, rabbits, and guinea pigs have demonstrated acrylonitrile to have high acute toxicity from inhalation and high to extreme acute toxicity from oral or dermal exposure. No information is available on the reproductive or developmental effects of acrylonitrile in humans. 

Experimental evaluations of acrylonitrile have not produced any clear evidence of adverse effects on reproductive fimction or development of offspring at doses below those producing paternal toxicity. The results of genotoxicity evaluations of acrylonitrile have been mixed. Positive findings in vitro have occurred mainly at exposures associated with cellular toxicity, and the most reliable in vitro tests have been negative. 

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