available about usage of the new fumigant ethandinitrile. The extremely small quantities of this waste that are generated in How is it Main fates Australia are likely to be sent for thermal destruction or energy managed? recovery. Volume score <1% 1 5% 5 10% 10 20% 20% – – – ≥ (% of national tonnes in 2013) 0.0002% How much is generated in TOTAL: 11 ACT: 0 NSW: 0 Australia? Waste arising in NT: 0 Qld: 9 SA: 0 2013 (tonnes) Tas: 0 Vic: 0 WA: 2 Nitriles can be inhaled as vapour or absorbed through skin. While some of their toxicity resembles that of inorganic cyanides, there is Overview no chemical or biological pathway producing cyanide ions from the nitriles and commentaries to that effect are in error Extreme: Inhalation of acetonitrile affects mucous membranes and can produce cyanosis as oxygen in the blood is consumed. Higher concentrations affect the central nervous system producing headaches, numbness and tremors. Absorption through the skin Acute toxicity Potential health may be a significant exposure route. impacts Acrylonitrile irritates the skin and eyes and acts as a central nervous system depressant and respiratory irritant. Extreme: Kidney and thyroid damage ensues after prolonged Chronic toxicity exposure to acetonitrile. Carcinogenicity Acetonitrile is not carcinogenic. Reproductive Acetonitrile does not affect reproduction. toxicity Workplace The time weighted exposure limit for acetonitrile is 40 ppm (= 67 mg/m3), with short term health & safety exposure permitted up to 60 ppm (= 101 mg/m3). That for acrylonitrile is 2 ppm (4.3 impacts mg/m3). Population There were no population-scale impacts identified. scale impacts Acetonitrile and acrylonitrile released to air are minor components of the suite of Volatile Organic Compounds. Both are miscible with water and when released to the aqueous medium are transported Overview Potential widely and rapidly diluted below levels of concern. Ethane dinitrile is environment intended for use in closed systems such as those employed for impacts fumigation of logs. Low: Acetonitrile exhibits slight acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. Acute ecotoxicity Acrylonitrile is highly toxic to aquatic organisms but data on its
available about usage of the new fumigant ethandinitrile. How is it managed? Main fates The extremely small quantities of this waste that are generated in Australia are likely to be sent for thermal destruction or energy recovery. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.0002% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 11 ACT: 0 NSW: 0 NT: 0 Qld: 9 SA: 0 Tas: 0 Vic: 0 WA: 2 Potential health impacts Overview Nitriles can be inhaled as vapour or absorbed through skin. While some of their toxicity resembles that of inorganic cyanides, there is no chemical or biological pathway producing cyanide ions from the nitriles and commentaries to that effect are in error Acute toxicity Extreme: Inhalation of acetonitrile affects mucous membranes and can produce cyanosis as oxygen in the blood is consumed. Higher concentrations affect the central nervous system producing headaches, numbness and tremors. Absorption through the skin may be a significant exposure route. Acrylonitrile irritates the skin and eyes and acts as a central nervous system depressant and respiratory irritant. Chronic toxicity Extreme: Kidney and thyroid damage ensues after prolonged exposure to acetonitrile. Carcinogenicity Acetonitrile is not carcinogenic. Reproductive toxicity Acetonitrile does not affect reproduction. Workplace health & safety impacts The time weighted exposure limit for acetonitrile is 40 ppm (= 67 mg/m3), with short term exposure permitted up to 60 ppm (= 101 mg/m3). That for acrylonitrile is 2 ppm (4.3 mg/m3). Population scale impacts There were no population-scale impacts identified. Potential environment impacts Overview Acetonitrile and acrylonitrile released to air are minor components of the suite of Volatile Organic Compounds. Both are miscible with water and when released to the aqueous medium are transported widely and rapidly diluted below levels of concern. Ethane dinitrile is intended for use in closed systems such as those employed for fumigation of logs. Acute ecotoxicity Low: Acetonitrile exhibits slight acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. Acrylonitrile is highly toxic to aquatic organisms but data on its