Summary sheet on Commission
Review (ref. XXIV/1991/97)
Ingredient :
Acetonitrile
CAS n° : 75-05-8
Function and max in use
concentration : solvent
Relevant toxicity data :
Assessment of acute
toxicity : Toxic by inhalation,
by oral and by dermal routes.
Assessment of
chronic/sub-chronic toxicity :
Toxic by inhalation in repeated
dose toxicity study (90 d.) Ý
low NOAEL.
Assessment of
developmental toxicity :
Maternal toxicity by inhalation
Ý low NOAEL.
Assessment of
genotoxicity/carcinogenicity:
- Some evidence of
clastogenic potential in vitro
and in vivo
- Equivocal evidence of
carcinogenic activity in liver,
by inhalation
Toxicokinetics :
Conversion to cyanide via the
hepatic metabolism.
Human data : Several
cases of poisoning after oral
ingestion of nail glue
removers;
Classification: 2a (See
Classification of Substances)
SCCNFP Opinion
The SCC is of the
opinion that acetonitrile must
not be used in cosmetic
products.
In NTP carcinogenicity
studies, inhalation exposure to
acetonitrile resulted in
marginally increased incidence
of hepatocellular adenoma and
carcinoma in male rats. There
was no evidence of
carcinogenicity in female rats
nor in male and female mice.
In recent inhalation
developmental toxicity studies
in rat, maternal toxicity was
observed with a NOAEL of 100
ppm.
In animal and in man,
acute and systemic effects of
acetonitrile are attributable
to the conversion of
acetonitrile to cyanide.
Cases of severe toxicity
(coma, acidosis, seizures) and
death resulting from oral
ingestion of nail glue removers
containing high concentrations
of acetonitrile are reported in
the literature.
Statement on the
toxicological evaluation
The SCCNFP is the
scientific advisory body to the
European Commission in matters
of consumer protection with
respect to cosmetics and
non-food products intended for
consumers.
The Commission's general
policy regarding research on
animals supports the
development of alternative
methods to replace or to reduce
animal testing when possible.
In this context, the SCCNFP has
a specific working group on
alternatives to animal testing
which, in co-operation with
other Commission services such
as ECVAM (European Centre for
Validation of Alternative
Methods), evaluates these
methods.
SCCNFP opinions include
evaluations of experiments
using laboratory animals; such
tests are conducted in
accordance with all legal
provisions and preferably under
chemical law regulations. Only
in cases where no alternative
method is available will such
tests be evaluated and the
resulting data accepted, in
order to meet the fundamental
requirements of the protection
of consumer health.