POTASSIUM
SILVER CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)
POTASSIUM
SILVER CYANIDE
CASRN: 506-61-6
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~AAAk_aW13:2
Human Health Effects:
Human Toxicity Excerpts:
SYMPTOMATOLOGY: 1. Massive doses may produce,
without warning, sudden loss of consciousness and prompt death from respiratory
arrest. With smaller but still lethal doses, the illness may be prolonged for 1
or more hours. 2. Upon ingestion, a bitter, acrid, burning taste is sometimes
noted, followed by a feeling of constriction or numbness in the throat.
Salivation, nausea and vomiting are not unusual ... 3. Anxiety, confusion,
vertigo, giddiness, and often a sensation of stiffness in the lower jaw. 4.
Hyperpnea and dyspnea. Respirations become very rapid and then slow and
irregular. Inspiration is characteristically short while expiration is greatly
prolonged. 5. The odor of bitter almonds may be noted on the breath or vomitus
... 6. In the early phases of poisoning, an increase in vasoconstrictor tone
causes a rise in blood pressure and reflex slowing of the heart rate. Thereafter
the pulse becomes rapid, weak, and sometimes irregular ... A bright pink
coloration of the skin due to high concentrations of oxyhemoglobin in the venous
return may be confused with that of carbon monoxide poisoning. /Cyanide/
SYMPTOMATOLOGY: 7. Unconsciousness, followed
promptly by violent convulsions, epileptiform, or tonic, sometimes localized but
usually generalized. Opisthotonos and trismus may develop. Involuntary
micturition and defecation occur. 8. Paralysis follows the convulsive stage. The
skin is covered with sweat. The eyeballs protrude, and the pupils are dilated
and unreactive. The mouth is covered with foam, which is sometimes bloodstained.
... The skin color may be brick red. Cyanosis is not prominent in spite of weak
and irregular gasping. In the unconscious patient, bradycardia and the absence
of cyanosis may be key diagnostic signs. 9. Death from respiratory arrest. As
long as the heart beat continues, prompt and vigorous treatment offers some
promise of survival. /Cyanide/
MOST SPECIFIC PATHOLOGICAL FINDING IN ACUTE
CASES /OF CYANIDE POISONING/ IS BRIGHT RED COLOR OF VENOUS BLOOD. THIS IS
STRIKING, VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF INABILITY OF TISSUE CELLS TO UTILIZE OXYGEN ...
VENOUS BLOOD IS ONLY ABOUT 1 VOL % LOWER IN OXYGEN CONTENT THAN ARTERIAL BLOOD
... /CYANIDES/
WORKERS IN ELECTROPLATING INDUST HAVE SHOWN
DERMATITIS TO BE A PROBLEM. ALSO REPORTED WERE ITCHING, SCARLET RASH, PAPULES
... IRRITATION OF NOSE, LEADING TO OBSTRUCTION, BLEEDING, SLOUGHS AND IN SOME
CASES PERFORATION OF SEPTUM. /CYANIDES/
... IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CYANIDE TO CAUSE
BLINDNESS & TO DAMAGE OPTIC NERVES & RETINA. /CYANIDE/
A STUDY WAS UNDERTAKEN TO ASSESS THE HEALTH
STATUS OF WORKERS EXPOSED TO CYANIDE FUMES & AEROSOLS IN A FACTORY. CYANIDE
LEVELS WERE MEASURED IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT & IN BLOOD & URINE. SMOKERS
HAD HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS THAN NON-SMOKERS. THE HIGHEST LEVELS WERE 0.8 &
0.2 MG/CU M IN BREATHING ZONE & GENERAL WORKROOM ATMOSPHERE, RESPECTIVELY.
THE WORKERS COMPLAINED OF TYPICAL CYANIDE POISONING IN SPITE OF THE LOW CONCN.
... /CYANIDES/
Cyanides are absorbed from the skin &
mucosal surfaces and are ... dangerous when inhaled because toxic amt are ...
absorbed through bronchial mucosa & alveoli. Symptoms, which /may/ occur ...
are giddiness, headache, palpitation, dyspnea, & unconsciousness. There may
be some evidence of local irritation from the salts & nausea & vomiting.
... Central nervous depression. ... Early electrocardiographic changes may
include atrial fibrillation, ectopic ventricular beats, and abnormal QRS complex
with T wave originating high on the R wave. Sinus bradycardia is a common
presenting sign. As cyanide levels in the blood rise, ataxia develops & is
followed by coma, convulsions, & death. /Cyanides/
Signs & symptoms of acute cyanide
poisoning reflect cellular hypoxia & are often nonspecific. Onset of
symptoms depends on dose, route, & duration of exposure. Inhalation produces
... flushing, headache, tachypnea, & dizziness ... irregular stridulous
breathing, coma, seizure, & death ... /Cyanide/
WHEN ABSORBED, /CYANIDE/ ... REACTS READILY
WITH ... CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN MITOCHONDRIA; CELLULAR RESPIRATION IS THUS
INHIBITED & CYTOTOXIC HYPOXIA RESULTS. ... RESPIRATION IS /INITIALLY/
STIMULATED ... A TRANSIENT STAGE OF CNS STIMULATION WITH HYPERPNEA AND HEADACHE
IS OBSERVED; FINALLY THERE ARE HYPOXIC CONVULSIONS AND DEATH DUE TO RESPIRATORY
ARREST. /CYANIDE/
THE TLV FOR ALKALI CYANIDES ... IS BASED ON
ADDED IRRITATION CAUSED BY ALKALINITY, SUFFICIENT TO RESULT IN EPISTAXIS
(NOSEBLEED) & NASAL ULCERATION. AIR CONCN OF CYANIDE FROM ALKALI CYANIDES
PRODUCING THIS EFFECT (NOSEBLEED) DID NOT GREATLY EXCEED 5 PPM. /ALKALI
CYANIDES/
... ENLARGED THYROID GLANDS /WERE REPORTED/ IN
WORKERS EXPOSED TO CYANIDE SALTS IN HEAT TREATMENT OF METALS. IT WAS SUGGESTED
THAT ABSORPTION OF CYANIDE DUST & HYDROGEN CYANIDE PRODUCED BY HYDROLYSIS OF
CYANIDE SALTS, WAS FOLLOWED BY METABOLISM TO THIOCYANATE, & THAT FAILURE TO
ELIMINATE THIS ... CAUSED GOITROGENIC EFFECT. /CYANIDE SALTS/
VOLATILE CYANIDES /SRP: AND ALL AIRBORNE
CYANIDE SALTS/ RESEMBLE HYDROCYANIC ACID PHYSIOLOGICALLY, INHIBITING TISSUE
OXIDN & CAUSING DEATH THROUGH ASPHYXIA. CYANOGEN IS PROBABLY AS TOXIC AS
HYDROCYANIC ACID ... /CYANIDES/
In minimal lethal doses, cyanide affects
primarily the central nervous system. Cyanide initially stimulates the
peripheral chemoreceptors, causing increased respirations. It also promotes
slowing of the heart by stimulating the carotid body receptors. The electrical
activity of the brain may stop while the heart is still beating. /Cyanide/
The most common symptoms of a long-term
cyanide exposure that has exceeded current standards have been headache,
dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and a bitter or almond taste. Mild abnormalities
of vitamin B12, folate, and thyroid function have been noted, but symptoms did
not correlate with these changes. Other excessive exposures to cyanide have
resulted in psychosis and thyroid enlargement without symptoms of thyroid
dysfunction. Several clinical syndromes have been associated with chronic
cyanide toxicity ... . These diseases may be due to high cyanide levels,
impaired cyanide detoxification mechanisms, nutritional deficiencies, or some
combination of these factors. /Cyanide/
In serious poisonings, the skin is cold,
clammy, and diaphoretic. Cyanosis may be a late finding, since poor tissue
utilization of oxygen results in elevated venous oxygen levels. Retinal veins
and arteries may appear similar in color because of the elevated venous oxygen
level. /Cyanide/
Depression of the cardiovascular system
requires cyanide doses higher than those necessary for depression of the CNS.
Initial tachycardia occurs followed by bradycardia.. Dysrhythmias and
hypotension often precede peripheral vascular collapse. The ECG may display
striking ischemic changes; pulmonary edema may complicate severe intoxications.
/Cyanide/
The CNS is the most sensitive target organ of
cyanide poisoning, with early stimulation followed by CNS depression. Early
symptoms include lightheadedness, giddiness, tachypnea, nausea, vomiting,
feeling of neck constriction and suffocation, confusion, restlessness, and
anxiety. Initial tachypnea results from direct stimulation of carotid body
chemoreceptors followed by respiratory depression. Severe cyanide poisonings
progress to stupor, coma, opisthotonus, convulsions, fixed dilated pupils, and
death. /Cyanide/
Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:
A severe skin and eye irritant.
Medical Surveillance:
Initial medical examination /should include/:
a complete history and physical examination ... to detect existing conditions
that might place the exposed employee at incr risk & to establish a baseline
for future health monitoring. ... Examination of cardiovascular, nervous, &
upper resp systems, & thyroid should be stressed. The skin should be exam
for evidence of chronic disorders. ... The aforementioned medical exam should be
repeated on an annual basis. ... /Cyanides/
Special attention should be given to other
sources of silver exposure, for example, medications or previous occupational
exposure. Inspection of the nasal septum, eyes, and throat will generally give
incidence of pigmentation before generalized argyria occurs. This will usually
be seen first in the ear lobes, face and hands. /Silver & cmpd/
Pre-placement and periodic examinations should
include the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, liver and kidney
function, blood, history of fainting and dizzy spells. Blood cyanide levels may
be useful during acute intoxication. Urinary thiocyanate levels have been used
but are nonspecific and are elevated in smokers. /Cyanides/
Arterial Blood Gases: Arterial blood gases may
be useful for monitoring of metabolic acidosis that can occur from cyanide
poisoning. /Cyanide/
EKG Measurement: EKG monitoring may be useful
since changes have been found with cyanide exposure. /Cyanide/
The assessment of cyanide exposure can be
accomplished through measurement of cyanide. Most information found in the
literature regarding monitoring for absorption of cyanide preferred the
measurement of blood cyanide. ... Blood Reference Ranges: Normal - non-smokers,
<0.02 ug/ml; smokers, average 0.041 ug/ml; Exposed - Levels of <0.2 ug/ml
have been found to be non-toxic; however, levels of 0.5 - 1.0 ug/ml have been
associated with tachycardia and flushing. Toxic - Levels of 1.0 - 2.5 ug/ml have
been associated with obtundation; coma and respiratory depression with levels
greater than 2.5 ug/ml; death with values greater than 3 ug/ml. Serum or Plasma
Reference Ranges: Normal - cyanide: nonsmoker, 0.004 ug/ml; smoker, 0.006 ug/ml;
Exposed - not established; Toxic - cyanide; greater than 0.1 ug/ml. Urine
Reference Ranges: Normal - not established; Exposed - not established; Toxic -
not established. /Cyanide/
Respiratory Symptom
Questionnaires:Questionnaires have been published by the American Thoracic
Society and the British Medical Research Council. These questionnaires have been
found to be useful in identification of people with chronic bronchitis, however
certain pulmonary function tests such as FEV1 have been found to be better
predictors of chronic airflow obstruction. /Cyanide/
Chest Radiography: This test is widely used
for assessing pulmonary disease. Chest radiographs have been found to be useful
for detection of early lung cancer in asymptomatic people, especially for
detection of peripheral tumors such as adenocarcinomas. However, even though
OSHA mandates this test for exposure to some toxicants such as asbestos, there
are conflicting views on its efficacy in detection of pulmonary disease.
/Cyanide/
Pulmonary Function Tests: The tests that have
been found to be practical for population monitoring include: Spirometry and
expiratory flow-volume curves; Determination of lung volumes; Diffusing capacity
for carbon monoxide; Single-breath nitrogen washout; Inhalation challenge tests;
Serial measurements of peak expiratory flow; Exercise testing. /Cyanide/
Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy: Nerve
conduction study; Electromyography; Quantitative sensory testing; Thermography.
/Cyanide/
Evaluation of Central Nervous System Effects:
Evaluation of CNS effects can be performed through neuropsychological
assessment, which consists of a clinical interview and administration of
standardized personality and neuropsychological tests. The areas that the
neuropsychology test batteries focus on include the domains of memory and
attention; visuoperceptual, visual scanning, visuospatial, and visual memory;
and motor speed and reaction time. There is limited data on which components of
the test batteries are best indicators of early CNS effects. /Cyanide/
Evaluation of Cranial Neuropathies: Evaluation
of cranial nerve damage, as evidenced by symptoms such as loss of balance,
visual function, smell, taste, or sensation on the face, can be accomplished
through a physical examination focusing on tests such as: Smell Assessment ...
Visual Assessment ... Facial and Trigeminal Nerve Assessment ... Vestibular
Assessment ... Hearing Assessment. /Cyanide/
Populations at Special Risk:
WORKERS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES OF KIDNEYS,
RESPIRATORY TRACT, SKIN OR THYROID ARE @ GREATER RISK OF DEVELOPING TOXIC
CYANIDE EFFECTS THAN ARE HEALTHY WORKERS. /CYANIDE/
Probable Routes of Human Exposure:
Silver or soluble silver compounds can affect
the body if they are inhaled or if they come in contact with the eyes or skin.
They can also affect the body if they are swallowed. /Silver metal and soluble
silver compounds/
... SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE ... REPORTED
IN ELECTROPLATERS & SILVER POLISHERS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPOSURE.
/CYANIDES/
DERMATITIS ... IN WORKERS CHRONICALLY EXPOSED
TO CYANIDE SOLN. ELECTROPLATERS SUFFER FROM SUCH IRRITATION. /CYANIDE SOLN/
The following list incl some common operations
in which exposure to silver metal cmpd may occur ... 1. Liberation during mining
and purification from ore; during refining from secondary sources 2. Use in
manufacture of silver nitrate for use in photography, mirrors, plating, inks,
dyes, and porcelain; and as germicides, antiseptics, caustics, and analytical
reagents 3. Use in manufacture of silver salts as catalysts in
oxidation-reduction and polymerization reactions; in chemical synthesis; in
glass manufacture , in silver-plating, in photography, as lab reagents, and in
medicine 4. Liberation from manufacture and casting of alloys; during
fabrication of silver metal, alloys, and bimetals for electrical uses; and
during electroplating operations and fabrication of solders and brazing alloys;
during manufacture and use of photographic chemicals and materials; during
manufacture of mirrors, and during manufacture of silver powder pigments and
paints /Silver metal & sol silver cmpd/
Body Burden:
A total body burden from 1 to 5 g of silver
will lead to generalized argyria. /Silver metal and soluble silver compounds/
Antidote and Emergency Treatment:
Basic Treatment: Establish a patent airway.
Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist
ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15
l/min. Administer amyl nitrite ampules as per protocol and physician order ... .
Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for pulmonary edema and
treat if ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye
contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously
with normal saline during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion,
rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the
patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . /Cyanide
and related compounds/
Advanced Treatment: Consider orotracheal or
nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or
in respiratory arrest. Positive pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve
mask device may be beneficial. Start an IV with D5W /SRP: "To keep
open", minimal flow rate/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia
are present. Watch for signs of fluid overload. Administer cyanide antidote kit
as per protocol and physician order ... . Monitor and treat cardiac arrhythmias
if necessary ... . Consider vasopressors to treat hypotension without signs of
hypovolemia ... . Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Treat seizures
with diazepam (Valium) ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye
irrigation ... . /Cyanide and related compounds/
Although a variety of agents are effective
antidotes in the experimental animal (nitrites, dimethylaminophenol, cobalt EDTA,
hydroxocobalamin, stroma-free methemoglobin solutions, pyruvate, thiosulfate,
sulfur sulfanes, mercaptopyruvate, oxygen) only the three-step Eli-Lilly cyanide
kit is approved in the US. /Cyanide/
The use of the combination consisting of 4 g
of hydroxoycobalamin and 8 g of sodium thiosulfate as an antidote in cases of
cyanide poisoning is reviewed. The antidote, which has been used in France since
1970, has proved to be nontoxic and therefore can be given in cases where the
diagnosis of cyanide poisoning is not absolutely certain. On the other hand, the
Lilly Cyanide Antidote Kit, which has been approved for use in the USA for the
same purpose, has been shown to be toxic and its use requires caution. The
antidotal effectiveness of the association of hydroxoycobalamin and sodium
thiosulfate has been demonstrated in mice and other animal species poisoned with
cyanide. Most animal studies reveal a strong antidotal synergism between the two
agents. In France, the efficacy of the antidotal combination has been proved in
patients who have ingested as much as 1.5 g of potassium cyanide and have blood
cyanide levels on the order of 15 ug/ml. In the USA, the antidotal combination
is designated as an orphan drug by the FDA and studies have been started to
validate its safety and efficacy before being approved for use in this country.
/Cyanide/
/SRP: For patients treated with nitrites:/
Measurement of methemoglobin may be useful for assessing exposure. However,
methemoglobin levels may be artificially low if not analyzed within a few hours
after drawing the blood. Methemoglobin levels have been found to correlate with
clinical symptoms in most cases. /Cyanide/
Animal Toxicity Studies:
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts:
IN EXPTL ANIMALS, DEMONSTRATION OF EFFECTS OF
CYANIDE POISONING ON RETINA & OPTIC NERVE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL PRINCIPALLY
WITH ACUTE SEVERE, NEAR-LETHAL OR LETHAL POISONINGS. /CYANIDES/
IN RABBITS, AFTER SUBLETHAL DOSES OF CYANIDE,
CHANGES IN ELECTRORETINOGRAM HAVE BEEN OBSERVED. /CYANIDE/
THE COMPLEX CYANIDE, SILVER POTASSIUM CYANIDE
WAS MORE TOXIC THAN THE /SILVER NITRATE/ BY A FACTOR OF ABOUT 2.
IN THE CASE OF HYDROCYANIC ACID AND CYANIDES
/IN VERY HIGH DOSES/, DEATH USUALLY OCCURS /IN ANIMALS/ WITHIN A FEW SECONDS:
THERE MAY BE CONVULSIONS, PARALYSIS, STUPOR, & CESSATION OF RESPIRATION
BEFORE THAT OF HEARTBEATS. /CYANIDES/
Except for the more sensitive invertebrate
species, such as Daphnia pulex and Gammarus pseudolimnaeus, invertebrate species
are usually more tolerant of cyanide than are freshwater fish species, which
have most acute values clustered between 50 to 200 ug/l. A long-term survival
and two life cycle test with fish gave chronic values of 7.9, 14, and 16 ug/l,
respectively, with Gammarus pseudolimnaeus being comparable to fish in
sensitivity and isopods being considerably more tolerant. /Free cyanide: HCN and
CN-/
... /THERE IS A/ COMBINED EFFECT OF PULMONARY
EDEMA AND THE INTERFERENCE OF CELLULAR METABOLISM BY THE CYANIDE RADICAL.
/CYANIDE ION/
Non-Human Toxicity Values:
LD50 Rat oral 20,900 ug/kg
Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics:
Metabolism/Metabolites:
... CYANIDE ION IS CONJUGATED WITH SULFUR TO
FORM THIOCYANATE. ... CONJUGATION IS CATALYZED BY ... RHODANESE WHICH IS WIDELY
DISTRIBUTED IN MOST ANIMAL TISSUES ... /LIVER/ PARTICULARLY ACTIVE. ...
RHODANESE MECHANISM IS CAPABLE OF DETOXICATING ONLY LIMITED AMT OF CYANIDE, SUCH
AS ARE FORMED DURING NORMAL METAB. /SRP: ANOTHER SULFUR DONOR IS
3-MERCAPTOPYRUVATE. THE ENZYME, MERCAPTOSULFUR TRANSFERASE IS LOCALIZED IN
CYTOSOL./ THIOCYANATE CONJUGATION IS TRUE DETOXIFICATION REACTION WHICH IS
ACCOMPANIED BY 200 FOLD REDUCTION OF TOXICITY. /CYANIDE/
/ONE OF/ THE MAJOR MECHANISM/S/ FOR REMOVING
CYANIDE FROM THE BODY IS ITS ENZYMATIC CONVERSION, BY THE MITOCHONDRIAL ENZYME
RHODANESE (TRANSSULFURASE), TO THIOCYANATE, WHICH IS RELATIVELY ... /LESS
TOXIC/. /CYANIDE/
Absorption, Distribution & Excretion:
IN 30 DAYS, 72% OF (14)C FROM IP DOSE OF
(14)C-CYANIDE TO MICE WAS EXCRETED IN URINE & FECES, 25% IN EXPIRED AIR,
& 3% WAS RETAINED ... PEAK EXCRETION OCCURRED WITHIN 10 MIN IN EXPIRED AIR
& WITHIN 6-24 HR IN URINE & FECES. /CYANIDE/
CYANIDE ION IS READILY ABSORBED AFTER ORAL OR
PARENTERAL ADMIN. ... PART OF ABSORBED CYANIDE IS EXCRETED UNCHANGED BY THE
LUNG. LARGER PORTIONS ... CONVERTED BY ... SULFURTRANSFERASE TO RELATIVELY
NONTOXIC THIOCYANATE ION. /CYANIDE/
CYANIDES ARE RAPIDLY ABSORBED FROM SKIN &
ALL MUCOSAL SURFACES & ARE MOST DANGEROUS WHEN INHALED, BECAUSE TOXIC AMT
ARE RAPIDLY ABSORBED THROUGH BRONCHIAL MUCOSA & ALVEOLI. /CYANIDES/
Cyanide is distributed to all organs and
tissues via the blood, where its concn in red cells is greater than that in
plasma by a factor of two or three. /Cyanide/
All forms of silver are extremely cumulative
once they enter body tissues, and very little is excreted. /Silver & cmpd/
Inhalation of cyanide salt dusts is dangerous
because the cyanide will dissolve on contact with moist mucous membranes and be
absorbed into the bloodstream. /Cyanide salts/
Once absorbed into the body, cyanide can form
complexes with heavy metal ions. /Cyanide/
Presumably, the accumulation of cyanide in
erythrocytes is a reflection of its binding to methemoglobin. /Cyanide/
Cyanide is concentrated in red blood cells at
a RBC/plasma ratio is 100/l. The volume of distribution of cyanide ion is
approximately 1.5 l/kg. About 60% if CN- in plasma is protein bound. /Cyanide/
Biological Half-Life:
Half-life for the conversion of cyanide to
thiocyanate from a non-lethal dose in man is between 20 min and 1 hr. /Cyanide/
Mechanism of Action:
CYANIDE HAS A VERY HIGH AFFINITY FOR IRON IN
THE FERRIC STATE. WHEN ABSORBED /CYANIDE/ ... REACTS READILY WITH ... IRON OF
CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN MITOCHONDRIA; CELLULAR RESPIRATION IS THUS INHIBITED &
CYTOTOXIC HYPOXIA RESULTS. SINCE UTILIZATION OF OXYGEN IS BLOCKED, VENOUS BLOOD
IS OXYGENATED AND IS ALMOST AS BRIGHT RED AS ARTERIAL BLOOD. RESPIRATION IS
STIMULATED BECAUSE CHEMORECEPTIVE CELLS RESPOND AS THEY DO TO DECREASED OXYGEN.
A TRANSIENT STAGE OF CNS STIMULATION WITH HYPERPNEA AND HEADACHE IS OBSERVED;
FINALLY THERE ARE HYPOXIC CONVULSIONS AND DEATH DUE TO RESPIRATORY ARREST.
/CYANIDE/
... SINGLE DOSES OF CYANIDE PRODUCE
ALTERATIONS IN PATTERN OF BRAIN METABOLITES CONSISTENT WITH DECR IN OXIDATIVE
METABOLISM & INCR IN GLYCOLYSIS. DECR IN BRAIN GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID ...
HAVE BEEN ASCRIBED TO CYANIDE INHIBITION OF GLUTAMIC ACID DECARBOXYLASE.
/CYANIDE/
THE CORTICAL GRAY MATTER, HIPPOCAMPUS (H1),
CORPORA STRIATA, & SUBSTANTIA NIGRA ARE COMMONLY AFFECTED /BY CYANIDE/. ...
CYANIDE ALSO HAS PROPENSITY FOR DAMAGING WHITE MATTER, PARTICULARLY CORPUS
CALLOSUM. CYANIDE INHIBITS CYTOCHROME OXIDASE & PRODUCES CYTOTOXIC ANOXIA,
BUT ALSO CAUSES HYPOTENSION THROUGH ITS EFFECTS ON HEART. /CYANIDE/
The cyanide ion (CN-) radical forms complexes
with a number of other chemicals (eg, in tissues) and has a strong affinity for
cobalt. /Cyanide ion/
/CYANIDE/ ... REACTS ... WITH TRIVALENT IRON
OF CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN MITOCHONDRIA TO FORM THE CYTOCHROME OXIDASE-CN COMPLEX
... THE CYTOCHROME-OXIDASE-CN COMPLEX IS DISSOCIABLE; THE MITOCHONDRIAL ENZYME
SULFURTRANSFERASE ... MEDIATES TRANSFER OF SULFUR FROM THIOSULFATE TO CYANIDE
ION. THUS, THIOCYANATE IS FORMED ... KINETIC STUDIES INDICATE THAT THE CLEAVAGE
OF THE THIOSULFATE SULFUR-SULFUR BOND IS THE RATE-LIMITING STEP IN THIS
REACTION. RELATIVELY MINOR PATHWAYS INCL COMBINATION WITH CYSTINE TO FORM
2-IMINO-THIAZOLIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID, OXIDATION TO CARBON DIOXIDE &
FORMATE, & FORMATION OF CYANOCOBALAMIN. /CYANIDE/
Environmental Fate & Exposure:
Probable Routes of Human Exposure:
Silver or soluble silver compounds can affect
the body if they are inhaled or if they come in contact with the eyes or skin.
They can also affect the body if they are swallowed. /Silver metal and soluble
silver compounds/
... SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE ... REPORTED
IN ELECTROPLATERS & SILVER POLISHERS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPOSURE.
/CYANIDES/
DERMATITIS ... IN WORKERS CHRONICALLY EXPOSED
TO CYANIDE SOLN. ELECTROPLATERS SUFFER FROM SUCH IRRITATION. /CYANIDE SOLN/
The following list incl some common operations
in which exposure to silver metal cmpd may occur ... 1. Liberation during mining
and purification from ore; during refining from secondary sources 2. Use in
manufacture of silver nitrate for use in photography, mirrors, plating, inks,
dyes, and porcelain; and as germicides, antiseptics, caustics, and analytical
reagents 3. Use in manufacture of silver salts as catalysts in
oxidation-reduction and polymerization reactions; in chemical synthesis; in
glass manufacture , in silver-plating, in photography, as lab reagents, and in
medicine 4. Liberation from manufacture and casting of alloys; during
fabrication of silver metal, alloys, and bimetals for electrical uses; and
during electroplating operations and fabrication of solders and brazing alloys;
during manufacture and use of photographic chemicals and materials; during
manufacture of mirrors, and during manufacture of silver powder pigments and
paints /Silver metal & sol silver cmpd/
Body Burden:
A total body burden from 1 to 5 g of silver
will lead to generalized argyria. /Silver metal and soluble silver compounds/
Environmental Standards & Regulations:
CERCLA Reportable Quantities:
Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are
required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is
a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or
greater than its reportable quantity of 1 lb or 0.454 kg. The toll free number
of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202)
426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40
CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).
Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are
subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at
40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Potassium silver
cyanide is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting
requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity
(TPQ) of 500 lbs.
RCRA Requirements:
D011; A solid waste containing silver (such as
potassium silver cyanide may or may not become
characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic
Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be
managed as a hazardous waste. /Silver/
P099; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when
potassium silver cyanide, as a commercial chemical
product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification
commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a
waste, it must be managed according to federal and/or state hazardous waste
regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any container or inner liner
used to hold this waste or any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other
debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this
waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial
exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5(e)).
/SRP:/ D003; A solid waste containing
potassium silver cyanide may become characterized as a
hazardous waste when subjected to testing for reactivity as stipulated in 40 CFR
261.23, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste.
Clean Water Act Requirements:
Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section
307(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act and is subject to effluent limitations.
/Cyanides; silver and compounds/
Federal Drinking Water Standards:
EPA 200 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
Federal Drinking Water Guidelines:
EPA 100 ug/l /Silver/
State Drinking Water Standards:
(CT) CONNECTICUT 50 ug/l /Silver/
State Drinking Water Guidelines:
(AZ) ARIZONA 50 ug/l /Silver/
(ME) MAINE 50 ug/l /Silver/
(MN) MINNESOTA 30 ug/l /Silver/
(WI) WISCONSIN 50 ug/l /Silver/
Chemical/Physical Properties:
Molecular Formula:
C2-Ag-N2.K
Molecular Weight:
199.0
Color/Form:
White crystals
Density/Specific Gravity:
2.36 @ 25 deg C
Solubilities:
Sol in water and alcohol
Spectral Properties:
Index of refraction: 1.625
Other Chemical/Physical Properties:
Acids precipitated silver
cyanide from the soln
Insol in acids
Chemical Safety & Handling:
Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:
A severe skin and eye irritant.
Fire Fighting Procedures:
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers must not be
used where cyanide salts are present. /Cyanide salts/
Toxic Combustion Products:
When heated to decomposition it emits very
toxic fumes of CN- and NOx.
Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities:
Hydrogen cyanide and mercury (II) cyanide: The
cyanide /mercury(II) cyanide/ is a friction- and impact-sensitive explosive and
may initiate detonation of liquid hydrogen cyanide. Other metal cyanides are
similar. /Metal cyanides/
Violent explosion occurs if cyanide salt is
melted with nitrite salt. The melt explodes if cyanide plus chlorate or nitrite
is heated to 450 deg C. /Cyanides/
Fusion of mixtures of metal cyanides with
metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates ... causes a violent explosion. /Metal
cyanides/
Strong oxidizers (such as acids, acid salts,
nitrates, and chlorates). [Note: Absorbs moisture from the air forming a syrup.]
/Potassium cyanide/
Cyanide may react with carbon dioxide in
ordinary air to form toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. /Cyanide/
Addition of cyanides to a molten nitrate bath
(or vice versa) will result in an explosion. /Cyanides/
Contact with acids and acid salts causes
immediate formation of toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. ... /Cyanides/
Contact of metallic silver and sol silver cmpd
with acetylene may cause formation of silver acetylide that is sensitive to
shock. Contact with ammonia may cause formation of cmpd that are explosive when
dry. Contact with strong hydrogen peroxide solutions will cause violent decomp
to oxygen gas. /Silver metal & sol silver cmpd/
Hazardous Decomposition:
When heated to decomposition it emits very
toxic fumes of /hydrogen cyanide, dipotassium oxide and nitrogen oxides/.
Toxic gases and vapors (such as hydrogen
cyanide and carbon monoxide) may be released when cyanide decomposes. /Cyanide/
Toxic gases and vapors (such as oxides of
nitrogen) may be released when some sol silver cmpd decomp. /Sol silver cmpd/
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:
25 mg/cu m /Potassium cyanide (as CN)/
Protective Equipment & Clothing:
WHERE SKIN CAN BE EXPOSED ... PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING, INCLUDING IMPERVIOUS HAND PROTECTION, SHOULD BE PROVIDED. /CYANIDES/
Chemical safety goggles shall be worn by
employees engaged in any operation wherein there is danger or likelihood that
dusts or solutions of cyanide salts will come into contact with the eye.
Full-length face shields with forehead protection shall be worn by employees
engaged in any operation wherein there is danger or likelihood that dusts,
molten salts, or solutions of cyanide salts may contact the face. /Cyanide
salts/
Wear appropriate personal protective clothing
to prevent skin contact. /Potassium cyanide/
Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye
contact. /Potassium cyanide/
Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas
where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substance;
this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye
protection. /Potassium cyanide/
Facilities for quickly drenching the body
should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there
is a possibility of exposure. (Note: It is intended that these facilities
provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance
from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what
constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific
circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily
available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose
could be considered adequate.) /Potassium cyanide/
Recommendations for respirator selection: Max.
concn for use: 25 mg/cu m. Any supplied-air respirator. Any self-contained
breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. /Potassium cyanide/
Recommendations for respirator selection:
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions. Any
self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in
a pressure-demand or other positive pressure-mode. 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 breathing
apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
/Potassium cyanide/
Recommendations for respirator selection:
Condition: Escape from suddenly occurring respiratory hazards: Respirators for
escape purposes only: Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask)
with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister /SRP: rebreather or oxygen
generating/ providing protection against the compound of concern and having a
high-efficiency particulate filter. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained
breathing apparatus. /Potassium cyanide/
Preventive Measures:
ALL CONTAINERS ... SHOULD BE KEPT COVERED OR
IN EXHAUSTED HOOD WHEN NOT IN USE. ANY PROCESS THAT MAY RELEASE HYDROGEN CYANIDE
SHOULD BE MECHANICALLY EXHAUSTED, WITH PROVISION FOR HIGHER RATE DURING
EMERGENCIES. DIRECT READING INSTRUMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF HYDROCYANIC ACID
ARE AVAILABLE. /CYANIDES/
PERSONS WHO WORK WITH & AROUND CYANIDE
PREPN SHOULD BE GIVEN SPECIFIC DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON MANAGEMENT OF CYANIDE
POISONING. /CYANIDES/
ATTENTION TO ... VENTILATION IS NECESSARY. ...
BECAUSE OF THE LOW PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL ... COMPLETE ENCLOSURE OF PROCESS
IS RECOMMENDED. ... THOSE WORKING WITH CYANIDE SALTS SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED THAT
CONTACT WITH ACIDS WILL RELEASE HYDROGEN CYANIDE. WHERE EXPOSURE POTENTIAL
EXISTS, WORKERS SHOULD BE TRAINED TO RECOGNIZE THE ODOR OF HYDROGEN CYANIDE
& WHEN ... DETECTED, WORK AREA SHOULD BE EVACUATED IMMEDIATELY. /CYANIDES/
Employees should wash promptly when skin is
wet or contaminated. Work clothing should be changed daily if it is possible
that clothing is contaminated. Remove nonimpervious clothing promptly if wet or
contaminated. Provide emergency eyewash. /Siver & cmpd/
If the clothing is to be laundered or
otherwise cleaned to remove the cyanide, the person performing the operation
should be informed of cyanide's hazardous properties. /Cyanides/
Eyewash facilities and emergency showers shall
be provided in areas where contact with ... cyanide salts as either solids or
solutions is likely. Work clothing which has been contaminated by absorption of,
or contact with, cyanide shall be thoroughly laundered before it is worn again.
/Hydrogen cyanide & cyanide salts/
Two physician's treatment kits shall be
immediately available to trained medical personnel at each plant where there is
a potential for the release of, accidental or otherwise, or for contact with,
hydrogen cyanide or cyanide salts. ... First-aid kits shall be immediately
available at workplaces where there is potential for the release, accidental or
otherwise, of hydrogen cyanide or a potential for exposure to cyanide salts. ...
Pertinent medical records shall be maintained ... /SRP: for the duraton of
employment plus 50 years [29 CFR 1910.1020]/ following the last exposure to
hydrogen cyanide or cyanide salts. /Hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts/
SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should
be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by
personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to
ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented
before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the
workers.
Food storage, preparation, and eating shall be
prohibited in areas where hydrogen cyanide is used. Smoking and the carrying of
tobacco and other smoking materials shall also be prohibited in these areas.
Clean and sanitary lunchroom facilities, if provided, must be in non-exposure
areas. ... Clothing-change and locker-room facilities shall be provided in a
non-exposure area. Workers should be encouraged to shower after work and to
change work clothing frequently. Showers and basin washing facilities shall be
located in the locker-room area. /Hydrogen cyanide or cyanide salts/
When cyanide salts are used in fused salt
baths, mechanical local exhaust ventilation should be provided to control any
cyanide emissions. /Cyanide salts/
Contact lenses should not be worn when working
with this chemical. /Potassium cyanide/
The worker should immediately wash the skin
when it becomes contaminated. /Potassium cyanide/
Work clothing that becomes wet or
significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced. /Potassium cyanide/
Workers whose clothing may have become
contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work
premises. /Potassium cyanide/
Stability/Shelf Life:
SENSITIVE TO LIGHT
Storage Conditions:
PROTECT FROM LIGHT.
ALL CONTAINERS OF CYANIDE SALTS SHOULD BE KEPT
COVERED OR IN EXHAUST HOOD WHEN NOT IN USE. /CYANIDES/
Cyanide salts as solids must be stored in
sealed or tightly closed containers. No hooks should be used in handling cyanide
containers. ... Storage areas must be adequately ventilated to ensure that
cyanide concentrations do not exceed the recommended workplace environmental
limits. /Cyanide salts/
Cyanide salts as solids or solutions must be
... protected from corrosion or damage. They should be stored so there is no
contact with nitrate-nitrite mixtures or peroxides. /Cyanide salts/
... SHOULD BE STORED IN COOL, WELL-VENTILATED
PLACE, OUT OF DIRECT RAYS OF SUN, AWAY FROM ... FIRE HAZARD, & SHOULD BE
PERIODICALLY INSPECTED & MONITORED. INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE
ISOLATED ... /CYANIDES & COPPER CMPD/
Cleanup Methods:
THE OXIDATION OF CN- & COMPLEX METALLIC
CYANIDES, INCLUDING POTASSIUM SILVER CYANIDE, WITH O3
IN AN ALKALINE MEDIUM IS CATALYZED BY TRANSITION METAL IONS & IS THE BASIS
OF A TREATMENT FOR WASTE WATER CONTAINING CN- & ITS COMPLEXES. BASED ON THE
RESULTS OBTAINED, PLANT DESIGN CRITERIA ARE PRESENTED, & PROCEDURES ARE
SUGGESTED FOR A CONTINUOUS OPERATION & FOR AUTOMATION OF THE PLANT.
WASTE CYANIDE SALTS FROM CASE HARDENING OF
STEEL ARE DESTROYED BY REACTING THE SALTS AT 650-700 DEG C WITH WASTE FERRIC
HYDROXIDE SLUDGES FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. /CYANIDE SALTS/
Spills of cyanide salts should be immediately
and carefully cleaned up by shoveling the material into a proper container. Care
must be exercised to minimize any dispersal of cyanide dust into the air.
/Cyanide salts/
REMOVAL OF COPPER, NICKEL, ZINC, CADMIUM AND
CYANIDE FROM PLATING WASTEWATER BY ELECTROFLOTATION IS DISCUSSED. /CYANIDES/
If powdered silver metal or sol silver cmpd
are spilled or leaked, the following steps should be taken: 1. Ventilate area of
spill or leak. 2. Collect spilled material in most convenient & safe manner
& deposit in sealed containers for reclamation. Liquid containing silver
metal or sol silver cmpd should be absorbed in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or
similar material. /Silver metal & sol silver cmpd/
Disposal Methods:
Generators of waste (equal to or greater than
100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D003; P099;
D011, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment
and disposal of waste.
Potassium silver cyanide is
a poor candidate for incineration.
Cyanide salts should not be flushed into any
drain which may contain or subsequently receive acid waste. ... Cyanide process
waste solutions and flushings from spills should be passed through a cyanide
waste disposal system. /Cyanide salts/
Occupational Exposure Standards:
OSHA Standards:
Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr
Time Weighted Avg: 0.01 mg/cu m. /Silver, metal and soluble compounds, as Ag/
Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr
Time-Weighted Avg: 5 mg/cu m. Skin Designation. /Cyanides, as CN/
Threshold Limit Values:
8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA) 0.01 mg/cu m
/Silver soluble compounds, as Ag/
Excursion Limit Recommendation: Excursions in
worker exposure levels may exceed three times the TLV-TWA for no more than a
total of 30 min during a work day, and under no circumstances should they exceed
five times the TLV-TWA, provided that the TLV-TWA is not exceeded. /Silver
soluble compounds, as Ag/
Ceiling Limit 4.7 ppm, skin /Hydrogen cyanide/
NIOSH Recommendations:
Recommended Exposure Limit: 15 Min Short-Term
Exposure Limit: 4.7 ppm (5 mg/cu m). Skin. /Hydrogen cyanide/
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:
25 mg/cu m /Potassium cyanide (as CN)/
Other Occupational Permissible Levels:
Inorganic cyanide standards: Bulgaria 0.3
mg/cu m; Czechoslovakia 3-15 mg/cu m; Finland 7 mg/cu m; Federal Republic of
Germany 5 mg/cu m; Hungary 0.3 mg/cu m; Poland 0.3 mg/cu m; Romania 0.3 mg/cu m;
USSR 0.3 mg/cu m; and Yugoslavia 5 mg/cu m. /Calcium, potassium, sodium, cyanide
salts/
Other recommendations: Austria, Belgium.
Finland, Germany (FGR), Netherlands, Switzerland ... and Yugoslavia all at 0.01
mg/cu m; Romania- 0.005 mg/cu m avg and 0.015 mg/cu m maximum. /Silver &
cmpd/
Manufacturing/Use Information:
Major Uses:
In silver plating; as bactericide
Mfr of antiseptics
POTASSIUM SILVER CYANIDE HAS
BEEN USED TO EXTRACT SILVER FROM ITS ORES
Manufacturers:
Englehard Corp., 101 Wood Ave., Iselin, NJ
08830, (732)205-5000; Catalysts and Chemicals Division; Engineered Materials
Division; 2655 Route 22, Union, NJ 07083; Production site: Union, NJ 07083
Methods of Manufacturing:
By adding silver chloride to a soln of
potassium cyanide.
Laboratory Methods:
Clinical Laboratory Methods:
A FLUOROMETRIC MICRODIFFUSION METHOD IS
DESCRIBED FOR DETERMINING CYANIDE IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS. THIS DETECTION IS BASED
ON THE PRODUCTION OF FLUORESCENCE BY THE TREATMENT OF CYANIDE WITH P-BENZOQUINONE.
/TOTAL CYANIDE/
CYANIDE MAY BE LIBERATED FROM BIOLOGICAL
FLUIDS /BLOOD, URINE/ BY ACIDIFICATION. THE EVOLVED CYANIDE IS ABSORBED IN
ALKALI AND SODIUM CYANIDE THUS FORMED IS QUANTITATIVELY DETERMINED BY MEASURING
THE ABSORBANCE OF CHROMOPHORES FORMED BY INTERACTION OF THE CYANIDE ION WITH
SUITABLE REAGENTS ... /ANOTHER/ PROCEDURE PRESENTS A SENISITIVE GAS
CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF CYANIDE IN BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENTS,
BASED ON ITS CONVERSION TO CYANOGEN CHLORIDE USING CHLORAMINE-T. /TOTAL CYANIDE/
A quantitative inorganic particulates analysis
in situ tissue (eg lung) sections by scanning electron microscope with
backscattered electron imaging & energy-dispersive x-ray analysis or with an
ion microprobe mass analyzer was developed.
Analyte: Silver; Matrix: Urine; Procedure:
Inductively-coupled argon-plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy; Extraction
media: polydithiocarbamate resin; Wavelength: 328.3 nm; Range: 0.25-200 ug/samp;
Est LOD: 0.1 ug/samp; Precision: 0.12; Interferences: spectral, minimized by
wavelength selection. /Total Silver/
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) is an
analytical technique for determining trace metal concn at levels ranging down to
fractional ppb with rather inexpensive instrumentation. Silver in biological
samples is analyzed using ASV with a detection limit of 5 ng. /Total Silver/
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF CYANIDES
IN BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS BASED UPON ITS CONVERSION TO CYANOGEN CHLORIDE USING
CHLORAMINE-T (SODIUM P-TOLUENE SULFONCHLORAMIDE) IS DISCUSSED. /TOTAL CYANIDE/
Color reaction: Oxidation of hemoglobin to
methemoglobin, which reacts with cyanide to form cyanomethemoglobin. This
compound has a characteristic red color and a characteristic absorption
spectrum. /Total Cyanide/
Analytic Laboratory Methods:
Seven methods for the analysis of simple
cyanides have been investigated including: 1) An ion-exchange procedure; 2) A
continuous flow distillation; 3) An EDTA electrode method; 4) The AISI aeration
method; 5) An EDTA aeration method; 6) The modified Roberts-Jackson method; and
7) The EPA method for cyanides amenable to chlorination. Of all the seven
procedures studied, the modified Roberts-Jackson method is the best. It gives
complete recovery for all but one of the simple cyanides without decomposing the
complex cyanides. ... It has the unique ability to perform accurately in the
presence of both sulfide and thiocyanate. Incomplete recovery of cyanide is
found only from the mercury cyanide compounds. The addition of chloride ion
during analysis will probably overcome this deficiency. A lower limit of 2 ppb +
or - 1 ppb is possible with a precision of + or - 10% above 10 ppb. ... The
ligand-exchange procedure appears to be the most advantageous method of analysis
of total cyanides. /Total cyanides/
Color reaction: Oxidation of hemoglobin to
methemoglobin, which reacts with cyanide to form cyanomethemoglobin. This
compound has a characteristic red color and a characteristic absorption
spectrum. /Total cyanide/
Colorimetric method: Pyridine-pyrazolone.
/Total cyanide/
EPA Method 9010: Total and Amenable Cyanide
(Colorimetric, Manual) Method 9010 is used to determine the concentration of
inorganic cyanide in an aqueous waste or leachate. The method detects inorganic
cyanides that are present as either simple soluble salts or complex radicals. It
is used to determine values for both total cyanide and cyanide amenable to
chlorination; it is not intended to determine if a waste is hazardous by the
characteristic of reactivity. The cyanide, as hydrocyanic acid, is released by
refluxing the sample with strong acid and distillation of the hydrogen cyanide
into an absorber-scrubber containing sodium hydroxide solution. The cyanide ion
in the absorbing solution is then manually determined colorimetrically by
converting the cyanide to cyanogen chloride by reaction with chloramine-T at a
pH less than 8 without hydrolyzing the cyanate. ... Color is formed on addition
of the pyridine-barbituric acid reagent. In a single laboratory, using mixed
domestic and industrial waste samples at concentrations of 0.06, 0.13, 0.28, and
0.62 mg CN/l, the standard deviations were + or - 0.005, + or - 0.007, + or -
0.031, and + or - 0.094, respectively. In a single laboratory, using mixed
industrial and domestic waste samples at concentrations of 0.28 and 0.62 mg CN/l,
recoveries were 85% and 102%, respectively. /Total and Amenable Cyanide/
Indirect atomic absorption spectrometric
analysis: (1) The complex dicyano-bis-(1,10-phenanthroline)-iron (II) is formed
and then extracted into chloroform. The chloroform is evaporated and the residue
is taken up in ethanol. The ethanol solution is aspirated directly into the
flame, and iron equivalent to a known amount of cyanide is then determined. (2)
The second method is based on precipitating silver cyanide, then
determining the excess silver ion in the supernatant by atomic absorption
spectrometry. /Total Cyanide/
REVIEW WHICH DISCUSSES THE METHODS & LIMIT
OF DETECTIONS OF CYANIDE IN NATURAL & TREATED WATERS, INDUST EFFLUENTS,
BIOLOGIC FLUIDS & SOLIDS: GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY (25 NG/ML), FLUOROMETRY (1
PPB), ION-SELECTIVE ELECTRODES (25 UG/L) & ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRY (1-5
UG/L). /TOTAL CYANIDE/
Sampling Procedures:
Analyte: Silver; Matrix: air; Sampler: filter
(0.8-um cellulose membrane); Flow rate: 1-4 l/min; Vol: min: 250 l, max: 2000 l;
Stability: stable. /Silver and silver cmpd/
Analyte: Silver; Specimen: Blood or tissue;
Vol: 10 ml blood, or 1 g tissue; Preservative: Heparin for blood, none for
tissue; Controls: collect 3 blood specimens from unexposed workers; Stability:
not established. /Silver and silver cmpd/
Analyte: Silver; Specimen: urine; Vol: 50-200
ml in polyethylene bottle; Preservative: 5 ml concn nitric acid added after
collection; Controls: collect at least 3 urine specimens from unexposed workers;
Stability: not established. /Silver and silver cmpd/
AIR SAMPLES ARE USUALLY COLLECTED ON FILTERS.
/SILVER AND SILVER CMPD/
Special References:
Special Reports:
USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc:
Cyanides (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037
Nat'l Research Council Canada; Effects of
Cyanides on Aquatic Organisms with Emphasis Upon Fresh Water Fishes (1982) NRCC
No.19246
DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Cyanide
(Update) TP-92/09 (1993)
USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc:
Cyanide (1984) EPA 440/5-84-028
NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and
Cyanide Salts (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108
Synonyms and Identifiers:
Synonyms:
ARGENTATE(1-), BIS(CYANO-C)-, POTASSIUM
**PEER REVIEWED**
ARGENTATE(1-), DICYANO-, POTASSIUM
**PEER REVIEWED**
ARGENTATES(I)(SOL), DICYANO-
**PEER REVIEWED**
KYANOSTRIBRNAN DRASELNY (CZECH)
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM ARGENTOCYANIDE
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM BIS(CYANO-C)ARGENTATE(1-)
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM DICYANOARGENTATE
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM DICYANOARGENTATE(I)
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM DICYANOARGENTATE(1-)
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM DICYANOARGENTATE (KAG(CN)2)
**PEER REVIEWED**
POTASSIUM SILVER CYANIDE (KAG(CN)2)
**PEER REVIEWED**
EPA Hazardous Waste Number:
P099; An acute hazardous waste when a
discarded commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or
an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical
intermediate.
D003; /SRP:/ A waste containing potassium silver
cyanide may (or may not) be characterized a hazardous waste following
testing for the reactivity characteristics as prescribed by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations.
D011; A waste containing silver (such as
potassium silver cyanide) may (or may not) be
characterized a hazardous waste following testing by the Toxicant Extraction
Procedure as prescribed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
regulations.