Toxicology of methacrylonitrile.

The chemistry, industrial usage, general toxicity and experimental use of methacrylonitrile are briefly reviewed. Methacrylonitrile, a reactive, unsaturated and methylated aliphatic nitrile, has industrial applications in a variety of organic processes related to the polymer industry. Its general toxic effects are primarily related to the release of cyanide and formation of reactive metabolites containing a double bond between carbon 2 and 3. Methacrylonitrile has been given by a variety of routes to mammalian species to study its toxic effects. More recent in vivo and in vitro experimental work concerning its toxicity and metabolism are summarized and possible mechanisms of this chemical's toxic action are discussed.