3-dimethylaminopropiononitrile

Endpoint summary

Description of key information

Porlonged exposure to a saturated vapor atmosphere may cause death. 3-Dimethylaminopropionitril is of moderate toxicity after inhalative,  oral and dermal exposure.  
Oral
LD50 rat: 1290 mg/kg bw (comp. OECD 401; BASF 1975)
Inhalation
IHT rat 8h: mortality 1/12 (comp. OECD 403/annex; BASF 1975)
Dermal
LD50 rabbit: 1213 mg/kg bw (standardized test; Smyth et al. 1962)

Additional information

There are sufficient data available to assess the acute toxicity of 3-dimethylaminopropionitrile.

Oral

In a study which is comparable to OECD 401 with acceptable restrictions, groups of two or five rats per sex and dose were administered 1000, 1470, 2150, 3160 and 4640 µL/kg bw (corresponding to ca. 860 to 3990 mg/kg bw; calculated with a density of 0.86 g/mL) of the test substance per gavage (BASF 1975). The acute LD50 of 3-dimethylaminopropionitrile in rats is ca. 1290 mg/kg after oral application. Stretch/bend convulsions, tremor and tonic-clonic convulsions were observed as reversible clinical signs. Congestion, hyperemia, dilatated stomach were observed for the animals found dead after administration of the test substance.

Other results from literature with limited information provided comparable toxicity levels for rats (2262 -2600 mg/kg bw; Smyth et al. 1962; Pestronk et al. 1980) and mice (1500 mg/kg bw; Patty 1962).

Inhalation

Study is comparable with the inhalation hazard test (IHT) described in the Annex of OECD Guideline 403 with acceptable restrictions (BASF 1975). 6 rats per sex were exposed for 3 or 8 h to a vapour saturated atmosphere (nominal ca. 5.7 mg/L). 1/12 animals died after the 8 h IHT exposure and 0/12 animals died after the 3 h exposure. Disturbance of equilibrium, strong secretion of eyes and nose and strong tremor were observed. Spotted hyperemia of the lung was found by necropsy in animals that died.

In a second IHT with limited information, 0/6 rats died after 8 h exposure to a vapour saturated atmosphere (Smyth et al. 1962).

Dermal

The relevant study was performed closely to the method of Draize et al. (1944) and published following basic scientific principles (Smyth et al. 1962). Groups of four male New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to the test substance under occlusive conditions for 24 h. The LD50 was 1213 mg/kg bw (original value: 1410 µL/kg bw, calculated with a density of 0.86 g/mL; 95% confidence level: 880 – 2290 µL/kg bw). Clinical signs and necropsy findings were not reported.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Oral

According to the available results the test substance, 3-diemthylaminopropionitrile has to be regarded as harmful after single oral application (R 22 according to EU classification criteria; acute oral Cat. 4 according to GHS criteria).

Inhalative

Inhalation of vapour saturated atmosphere of 3-dimethylaminopropionitrile for 8 h represents a health hazard and may cause death. As the the substance is generally of a moderate toxicity it is also classified as harmful via the inhalative route

(R 20 according to EU classification criteria; acute dermal Cat. 4 according to GHS criteria).

Dermal

According to the available results the test substance, 3-diemthylaminopropionitrile has to be regarded as harmful after single dermal application (R 21 according to EU classification criteria; acute dermal Cat. 4 according to GHS criteria).