Glycolonitrile

Synonyms & Trade Names

Cyanomethanol, Formaldehyde cyanohydrin, Glycolic nitrile, Glyconitrile, Hydroxyacetonitrile

Physical Description

Colorless, odorless, oily liquid. [Note: Forms cyanide in the body.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Traces of alkalis (promote violent polymerization)

Symptoms

irritation eyes, skin, respiratory system; headache, dizziness, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), confusion, convulsions; dyspnea (breathing difficulty); abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

Up to 20 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 50 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode

Up to 100 ppm:
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 250 ppm:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection