Methacrylonitrile

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

EYE CONTACT

Immediately and gently flush the affected eye(s) with copious amounts of clean water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.

SKIN CONTACT

Immediately remove contaminated clothing and shoes from the victim. Immediately and thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.

INHALATION

Immediately remove the victim to fresh air and keep warm with blankets or similar. Do not apply mouth to mouth respiration. Resuscitate using a mouth-to-mouth mask with a one-way valve. Seek medical attention immediately.

INGESTION

If the victim is conscious, induce vomiting by giving lukewarm water and seek medical attention immediately. If the victim is unconscious, do not attempt to give anything by mouth and seek medical attention immediately.

PROTECTION FOR FIRST AIDERS

Conduct the operation from the windward side wearing protective equipment including rubber gloves. An airline respirator is also recommended.

INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIAN

Provide Safety Data Sheet and all other pertinent information to emergency medical team.

Fire-fighting measures

SUITABLE EXTINGUISHING MEDIA

Dry chemical powder foam, carbon dioxide and dry sand. DO NOT USE WATER JET.

SPECIFIC EXPOSURE HAZARDS ARISING FROM THE SUBSTANCE OR ITS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS

Carbon oxides (CO and CO2); Nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2); Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)

FIRE FIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS

- Hazardous gas will be produced during fire. Fight the fire from the windward side of fire and, wearing full fire-fighting turn-out gear and self-contained breathing apparatus.

- DO NOT USE WATER FOR FIRE FIGHTING.

- Small scale fires may be extinguished using the extinguishing media listed above.

- In a large-scale fire, blow the extinguishing media into the tank thereby shutting off air. Extinguish fire while cooling the tank by shooting water at its exterior.

Accidental release measures

PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

Evacuate surrounding areas. Immediately contact emergency personnel. Eliminate all ignition sources. Keep unnecessary personnel away. Use suitable protective equipment and follow all recommended fire fighting procedures. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Contain and absorb using earth, sand, or other inert material. Dike large spills and use non-sparking or explosion proof means to transfer material to an appropriate container. Seal the container and arrange correct disposal.

ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS AND CLEAN-UP METHODS

If emergency personnel are unavailable, contain the spilled material. For small spills, add an adsorbent (soil may be used in the absence of other materials) and use non-sparking or explosion proof means to transfer material to an appropriate container. Seal the container and arrange correct disposal. For large spills, dike the spilled material and use non-sparking or explosion proof means to transfer material to an appropriate container. Seal the container and arrange correct disposal. Minimise contact between the spilled material and soil to prevent runoff to surface waterways.

PERSONAL PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A LARGE SPILL

Wear chemical splash goggles, full neoprene suit, butyl boots and gloves. Self-contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the material.

Handling and storage

HANDLING

- Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.

- Avoid breathing vapour, mist and gas.

- Keep away from ignition sources, static electricity and sparks.

- Keep away from incompatible materials including oxidising materials.

- Always keep the container closed to be airtight, and provide local exhaust ventilation.

- Avoid tumbling, dropping, dragging or other violent handling of the container.

- Pay attention to management of empty containers.

- After handling, wash hands thoroughly and change any contaminated clothing.

STORAGE

- Electrical equipment must be of explosion-proof construction and grounded.

- Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent polymerisation reaction.

- Store in ventilated, cool dark place, with the container cap facing upward.

- Keep under a nitrogen blanket.

- Keep away from ignition sources, high temperatures such as boilers, and oxidising materials.

- Store in accordance with country specific regulations.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

3079

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Methacrylonitrile, stabilised

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

3079

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Methacrylonitrile, stabilised

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

3079

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Methacrylonitrile, stabilised

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

- Prior to transportation of the material in tank trucks or tank cars, prevent leaks and spills by thoroughly checking outlet valves, flange surfaces, and safety valves for normality.

- For transportation in drums and other containers, ensure in advance that the containers are closed, air-tight, and free from liquid or gas leaks.

- Keep safety implements required for transportation and safety ready in vehicles. Suitable safety implements include: documentation presenting the properties of the material and mitigation methods in the event of an accident; protectors including chemical cartridge respirators, rubber gloves and rubber boots; fire extinguishers; sand, pieces of old cloth, rope and polythene buckets; emergency contact details, certificates and other pertinent documents.

- Ground piping, pumps and vehicles for the loading and unloading of the material to prevent accumulation of electrostatic charge.

- Comply with the laws and regulations concerning transportation and storage of dangerous materials.

Stability and reactivity

CONDITIONS TO AVOID

Tumbling, dropping and dragging, or other violent handling of the container. Keep away from direct sunlight, ignition sources and oxidising materials.

MATERIALS TO AVOID

Oxidising materials; strongly acid and strongly alkaline materials.

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS

Hazardous decomposition products are not produced during normal storage.

HAZARDOUS POLYMERISATION

The material must be stabilised with an inhibitor to prevent hazardous polymerisation. If the material does not contain an adequate amount of inhibitor, polymerisation may occur, accompanied by generation of heat.

Disposal considerations

- Dispose of material in accordance with all applicable local and national regulations. Avoid contact of spilled material and runoff with soil and surface water.

- Do not dump material into sewers, onto the ground, or into any body of water.

- Follow EU legislation such as the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC) and the Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC).

- Empty containers may contain harmful, flammable/combustible residue or vapours. Do not cut, grind, drill, weld, re-use or dispose of containers unless precautions are taken against these hazards.