---
title: "Acetonitrile (75-05-8): exposure limits and sampling"
url: https://analyt-mtc.com/tools/hazard-search/acetonitrile-75-05-8/
lang: en
alternates:
  en: https://analyt-mtc.com/tools/hazard-search/acetonitrile-75-05-8/
  de: https://analyt-mtc.com/de/tools/gefahrstoffsuche/acetonitrile-75-05-8/
---

Hazard search

# Acetonitrile

CAS number

75-05-8

Also known as

Cyanomethane · Ethanenitrile · Ethyl nitrile · Methanecarbonitrile · Methyl cyanide

## UK workplace exposure limits

| Limit | Value | Applies to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 8-hour TWA | 40 ppm |  |
| 8-hour TWA | 68 mg/m³ |  |
| 15-minute STEL | 60 ppm |  |
| 15-minute STEL | 102 mg/m³ |  |

## Sampling methods

| Method | Sampling | Medium | Analysis | Part numbers |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **MDHS 72** / VOCs by thermal desorption and GC / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs72.pdf) | Active (pump) | Porapak-N tube (500mg) |  |  |
| **MDHS 88** / VOCs by solvent desorption and GC / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs88.pdf) | Passive | Passive sampler | GC-FID | [575-001](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-organic-vapour-passive-samplers/#part-575-001) / [575-002](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-organic-vapour-passive-samplers/#part-575-002) |
| **MDHS 96** / VOCs by solvent desorption and GC / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs96.pdf) | Active (pump) | Charcoal tube (400/200mg) |  | [226-09](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-anasorb-sorbent-tubes/) |
| **MDHS 104** / VOCs by solvent or thermal desorption and GC / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs104.pdf) | Active (pump) | Charcoal tube (400/200mg) |  | [226-09](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-anasorb-sorbent-tubes/) |
| **NIOSH 1606** / Acetonitrile by GC-FID / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-154/pdfs/1606.pdf) | Active (pump) | Charcoal tube (400/200mg) | GC-FID | [226-09](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-anasorb-sorbent-tubes/) |
| **EPA TO-17** / VOCs by thermal desorption and GC / [Method document (opens in a new tab)](https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/documents/to-17r.pdf) | Active (pump) | Two Thermal Desorption tubes | TD, GC | [226-350](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-anasorb-sorbent-tubes/#part-226-350) / [226-347](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-anasorb-sorbent-tubes/#part-226-347) / [224-26-02](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-gas-and-vapour-sampling-accessories/#part-224-26-02) / [224-26-CPC](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-gas-and-vapour-sampling-accessories/#part-224-26-cpc) |
| **Non-agency** / Acetonitrile by Colorimetric analysis | Direct-reading | Gastec Pyrotec tube |  | [810-52](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/gastec-colour-gas-detector-tubes/#part-gst-52) |
| **Other** | Passive |  | GC-FID | [575-001](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-organic-vapour-passive-samplers/#part-575-001) |
| **Other** | Passive |  | GC-FID | [575-002](https://analyt-mtc.com/catalog/product/skc-organic-vapour-passive-samplers/#part-575-002) |

Methods and limits as published by their agencies and summarised by SKC; check the current method and the limit that applies to you before sampling.

Source: [SKC Ltd (UK), Hazard Search, used with SKC's permission (opens in a new tab)](https://www.skcltd.com/hazard-search.html); [SKC Inc. (USA), Sampling Guides, used with SKC's permission (opens in a new tab)](https://international.skcinc.com/sampling-guides/)