SODIUM CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)

SODIUM CYANIDE
CASRN: 143-33-9
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~AAAuiaaFb:1

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/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-126]**PEER REVIEWED**

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. /Cyanide/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-127]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 3125]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 575]**PEER REVIEWED**

... 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/
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH:American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986. 153]**PEER REVIEWED**

... IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CYANIDE TO CAUSE BLINDNESS & TO DAMAGE OPTIC NERVES & RETINA. /CYANIDE/
[Grant, W. M. Toxicology of the Eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974. 334]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[CHANDRA H ET AL; J ANAL TOXICOL 4 (4): 161-65 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values for Substances in Workroom Air. Third Edition, 1971. Cincinnati, Ohio: AmericanConference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1971. (Plus supplements to 1979) 64]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Haddad, L.M. and Winchester, J.F. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdosage. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., 1983. 745]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1478]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1642]**PEER REVIEWED**

SODIUM CYANIDE PRODUCES ALL TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF OTHER SOURCES OF CYANIDE ION. IT CAN PRODUCE ACUTE SYMPTOMS BY INHALATION & BY SKIN ABSORPTION AS WELL AS BY INGESTION. FATAL DOSAGE BY ORAL INGESTION WILL VARY CONSIDERABLY DEPENDING ON WHETHER OR NOT FOOD IS PRESENT IN STOMACH, ETC. IT IS PROBABLY ON ORDER OF 1-2 MG/KG ...
[Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 3127]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 822]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1478]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1479]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1479]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1479]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997.,p. 1478-9]**PEER REVIEWED**

Workers, such as electroplaters and picklers, who are daily exposed to cyanide solutions may develop a "cyanide" rash, characterized by itching and by mascular, papular, and vesicular eruptions.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

Exposure to small amounts of cyanide compounds over long periods of time is reported to cause loss of appetite, headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and symptoms of irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

Because cyanide salts are rapidly absorbed from mucous membranes, symptoms following acute inhalation of or mucous membrane contact with toxic concentrations of cyanide salts may begin within seconds to a few minutes after exposure.
[Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1992. 701]**PEER REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

Irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

Medical Surveillance:

Preplacement and annual medical examinations shall include: An initial or interim work and medical history with special attention to skin disorders and those non-specific symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or weakness, that may be associated with chronic exposure. A physical examination giving particular attention to skin, thyroid, and the cardiovascular and upper respiratory systems. ... Two physicians 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 for 5 years following the last exposure to hydrogen cyanide or cyanide salts. /Cyanide salts/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.3-4 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 1]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 508]**PEER REVIEWED**

Arterial Blood Gases: Arterial blood gases may be useful for monitoring of metabolic acidosis that can occur from cyanide poisoning. /Cyanide/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 912]**PEER REVIEWED**

EKG Measurement: EKG monitoring may be useful since changes have been found with cyanide exposure. /Cyanide/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 912]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 911]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 913]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 913]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 913]**PEER REVIEWED**

Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy: Nerve conduction study; Electromyography; Quantitative sensory testing; Thermography. /Cyanide/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 914]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 914]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 914]**PEER REVIEWED**

Populations at Special Risk:

WORKERS WITH CHRONIC DISEASES OF KIDNEYS, RESPIRATORY TRACT, SKIN OR THYROID ARE AT GREATER RISK OF DEVELOPING TOXIC CYANIDE EFFECTS THAN ARE HEALTHY WORKERS. /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 576]**PEER REVIEWED**

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

/IN ELECTROPLATING/ ... SODIUM BATH CONTAINS SODIUM CYANIDE ... ...
[Browning, E. Toxicity of Industrial Metals. 2nd ed. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969. 164]**PEER REVIEWED**

... SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE ... REPORTED IN ELECTROPLATERS & SILVER POLISHERS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPOSURE. /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 575]**PEER REVIEWED**

AMONG FUMIGATORS ... CYANIDE POISONING IS RECOGNIZED ... /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 575]**PEER REVIEWED**

DERMATITIS ... IN WORKERS CHRONICALLY EXPOSED TO CYANIDE SOLN. ELECTROPLATERS SUFFER FROM SUCH IRRITATION. /CYANIDE SOLN/
[Hamilton, A., and H. L. Hardy. Industrial Toxicology. 3rd ed. Acton, Mass.: Publishing Sciences Group, Inc., 1974. 224]**PEER REVIEWED**

Body Burden:

Cyanide is present in normal healthy human organs at concentrations ranging up to 0.5 mg/kg. /Cyanide/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.48 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Bronstein, A.C., P.L. Currance; Emergency Care for Hazardous Materials Exposure. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO. Mosby Lifeline. 1994.,p. 387-8]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Bronstein, A.C., P.L. Currance; Emergency Care for Hazardous Materials Exposure. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO. Mosby Lifeline. 1994. 388]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1481]**PEER REVIEWED**

/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/
[Ryan, R.P., C.E. Terry (eds.). Toxicology Desk Reference 4th ed. Volumes 1-3. Taylor & Francis, washington, D.C. 1997. 912]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Hall AH, Rumack BH; J Emer Med 5 (2): 115-21 (1987)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Animal Toxicity Studies:

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts:

CYANIDES SUCH AS ... HYDROGEN CYANIDE, POTASSIUM CYANIDE AND SODIUM CYANIDE ARE ACUTELY POISONOUS, INTERFERING WITH METABOLIC PROCESSES & CAUSING RAPID DEATH. IN SEVERE POISONING, PUPILS ARE CHARACTERISTICALLY WIDELY DILATED.
[Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986. 287]**PEER REVIEWED**

Acute systemic toxicity of hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide by instillation into the inferior conjunctival sac was investigated in rabbits. LD50 value of hydrogen cyanide was 0.103 mmol/kg. Signs of toxicity appeared rapidly & death occurred within 3 to 12 min after instillation of cyanide into the conjunctival sac of the rabbit. Thus, following ocular instillation, cyanides may be absorbed across the conjunctival blood vessels in amounts sufficient to produce systemic toxicity.
[Ballantyne B; J Toxicol, Cutaneous Ocul Toxicol 2 (2-3): 119-29 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

THE TERATOGENIC POTENTIAL OF SODIUM CYANIDE WAS EVALUATED IN THE GOLDEN HAMSTER. INFUSION WAS BY MEANS OF SC IMPLANTED OSMOTIC MINIPUMPS BETWEEN DAYS 6 AND 9 OF GESTATION. INFUSION OF SODIUM CYANIDE AT DOSE RATES OF 0.126, 0.1275, AND 0.1295 MMOL/KG/HR PRODUCED HIGH INCIDENCES OF MALFORMATIONS AND RESORPTIONS IN THE OFFSPRING. MOST COMMON ANOMALIES WERE NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS, INCLUDING EXENCEPHALY AND ENCEPHALOCELE. OTHERS OCCURRED LESS FREQUENTLY AND INCLUDED HYDROPERICARDIUM AND CROOKED TAIL. A TOTAL DOSE EQUIVALENT TO 30-40 TIMES THE ACUTE SC LD50 DOSE WAS ADMIN BY INFUSION TO THESE ANIMALS BEFORE SIGNS OF MATERNAL TOXICITY APPEARED.
[DOHERTY PA ET AL; TOXICOL APPL PHARMACOL 64 (3): 456-64 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

WILD COYOTES WERE TESTED IN ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY TESTS AND TOXIC-COLLAR TESTS USING THE COMPOUNDS SODIUM CYANIDE AND DIPHACINONE. FIVE COYOTES RECEIVED 4, 8, 16, 32, OR 64 MG/KG SODIUM CYANIDE BY ORAL SYRINGE IN THE ACUTE TEST. RESULTS SHOWED SURVIVAL OF THE ONE ANIMAL GIVEN 4 MG/KG; THE OTHERS DIED WITHIN 2 MINUTES AFTER DOSING. IN TOXIC-COLLAR EXPERIMENTS 6 COYOTES WERE ALLOWED TO ATTACK SHEEP FITTED WITH COLLAR CONTAINING EITHER DIPHACINONE OR SODIUM CYANIDE. ONLY 1 OF THE COYOTES THAT PUNCTURED A SODIUM CYANIDE COLLAR INGESTED A LETHAL DOSE OF THE POISON, WHEREAS 3 COYOTES THAT PUNCTURED DIPHACINONE COLLARS ALL RECEIVED LETHAL AMOUNTS OF THE ANTICOAGULANT.
[STERNER, RT; BULL ENVIRON CONTAM TOXICOL 23 (1-2): 211-27 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Grant, W. M. Toxicology of the Eye. 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974. 334]**PEER REVIEWED**

IN RABBITS, AFTER SUBLETHAL DOSES OF CYANIDE, CHANGES IN ELECTRORETINOGRAM HAVE BEEN OBSERVED. /CYANIDE/
[Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986. 287]**PEER REVIEWED**

The significance of various physiological factors contributing to the pathogenesis of experimental cyanide encephalopathy, such as the systemic atrial blood pressure, venous pressure, common carotid blood flow, and local blood flow of the cerebral grey and white matters, and blood gas including pH, is examined. The histology and topography of the brain damage was also analyzed. Twenty-one cats were divided into four groups. The animals in groups 1, 2, and 3 were subject to continuous infusion of 0.2% sodium cyanide soln and to the ensuing hypotension below 100 mm Hg by administering a ganglion-blocking drug and by respiratory arrest. Severe damage developed in the deep cerebral white matter, corpus callosum, pallidum, and substantia nigra, but the damage of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was not remarkable. The animals in group 4 that were subject to sodium cyanide infusion without significant hypotension (>100 mm Hg), but to the same degree of acidosis as that of the other groups, had similar morphological changes, but to a lesser degree. Apparently, the pathophysiological factors of tissue hypoxia and subsequent hypotension operated in cyanide leucoencephalopathy. The topography selectivity related to the characteristic cerebral vascular system, and the severity of the white matter lesions, was related to the intensity of both hypoxia and hypotension during cyanide infusion, but not to the extent of acidosis, total dose of cyanide, or duration of its infusion. ...
[Funtana N et al; Acta Neuropathol 64 (2): 99-107 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

... The acute toxicity of 11 chemicals to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fry (average weight 1 g) that had been reared for about 8 wk on 1 of 5 diets. Chemicals tested against the fish included sodium cyanide. Responses of the fish to the chemicals were consistent in all 5 groups. No group demonstrated superior resistance to these chemicals. Diet appears to have little influence on the sensitivity of young rainbow trout to chemicals in acute toxicity tests.
[Marking LL et al; Prog Fish-Cult 46 (1): 1-5 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Intact neutrophils killed opsonized Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and the kinetics of these reactions indicated that both oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms were operative. Oxidative mechanisms contributed significantly, and most of the killing attributable to oxidative mechanisms was inhibited by sodium cyanide, which suggested that the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system participated in the oxidative process.
[Miyasaki KT et al; Infect Immun 53 (1): 154-60 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The participation of afferents from carotid and aortic bodies in the hyperventilation caused by cytotoxic hypoxia was assessed in pentobarbitone-anesthetized cats. Dose-response curves for the ventilatory effects induced by iv injections of sodium cyanide were obtained before and after successive denervations of peripheral chemoreceptors, in different sequences. Bilateral aortic neurotomy or unilateral carotid neurotomy did not affect significantly the minimal sensitivity to the drug, although maximal reactivity was reduced in some cats. After bilateral carotid neurotomy, with preservation of aortic nerves, sensitivity was reduced, but hyperventilation was still provoked by large doses of cyanide. Bilateral aortic neurotomy and bilateral carotid neurotomy abolished the ventilatory responses to the drug. In cats with bilateral aortic neurotomy and unilateral carotid neurotomy, ventilatory responses had a high degree of correlation with increases of carotid chemosensory discharges in the range between approximately 200% of control and the gasping threshold. Thus, the aortic bodies of the cat play a significant role in the hyperventilation produced by cytotoxic hypoxia, although it is less marked than that induced through the carotid bodies.
[Serani A; Zapata P Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 252 (2): 284-97 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

In 6 animals breathing spontaneously through the intact upper airway, iv administration of respiratory stimulants (sodium cyanide or nicotine) produced a dose-related decrease in upper airway resistance. In 9 animals, upper airway resistance was measured across the isolated upper airway. The stimulants produced a dose-related decrease in upper airway resistance. In both preparations inspiratory resistance fell at lower doses than expiratory resistance. Eventually a dose could be given which resulted in comparable, minimal values of resistance during both inspiration and expiration. Pharmacological challenge resulted in a change in the route of airflow (from nose only to nose-and-mouth breathing) as well a change in caliber of the airway at the level of the naso-pharynx and hyoid appendage. In anesthetized dogs, respiratory stimulants will decrease upper airway resistance by increasing activation of upper airway muscles which may enlarge the airway, change the route of flow, and thus overcoming collapsing forces produced by increased chest wall muscle activation.
[Strohl KP et al; Respir Physiol 63 (2): 616-75 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The renal vasodilatory effects of cholinergic drugs, and the relation between hemodynamic and natriuretic changes, were investigated by comparing intrarenal infusions of sodium cyanide to that of acetylcholine in 5 mongrel dogs. Infusion of /each/ compound resulted in immediate and ipsilateral increases in the fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Each agent increased the renal plasma flow to the same extent. Regression plots of the relation between changes in sodium excretion and changes in renal plasma flow were similar for both agents.
[Williams RL, Pearson JE; J Pharm Sci 71: 47-50 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

In cats, reflex hyperpnea produced by sodium cyanide was mediated by both carotid and aortic nerves and the response was greater when both carotid nerves were intact than when only 1 was intact.
[Zapata P, Serani A; Arterial Chemorecept, Proc Int Meet 6th 521-32 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

... In explanted chick embryos ... sodium cyanide above a concn of 5x10-3 M inhibited development of the central nervous system with less effect on heart development.
[Shepard, T.H. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986. 154]**PEER REVIEWED**

Toxic effects of zinc cyanide complexes were similar to those of sodium cyanide, whereas adult Leptomysis Mediterranean was less sensitive to sodium cyanide (LC50 88 ug cyanide/l) and zinc cyanide complexes than to cadmium cyanide complexes. This may be due to toxic effects of cadmium besides those of cyanide. The invertebrates are more sensitive to cyanide than fish which are used at present as standard aqueous indicator organisms.
[Pavicic J, Pihlar B; J Etud Pollut Mar Mediter Sixth, 6: 817-20 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

IF ... ANIMALS ... HAVE EATEN CYANOGENIC PLANTS, CLINICAL SIGNS MAY VARY FROM MILD TACHYPNEA & APPARENT ANXIETY TO SEVERE PANTING, GASPING, & BEHAVIORAL ALARM. OTHER SIGNS INCL SALIVATION, MUSCLE TREMORS, LACRIMATION, URINATION & DEFECATION, SEVERE COLIC, EMESIS, PROSTRATION, ... CLONIC CONVULSIONS, MYDRIASIS, & RAPID DEATH. ... MUCOUS MEMBRANES ARE ... PINK & BLOOD IS CHERRY RED & MAY NOT CLOT. RED COLOR IS DUE TO HYPEROXYGENATION THAT OCCURS WHILE THE ANIMAL IS DYING. THERE MAY BE AGONAL HEMORRHAGES ON HEART. GI TRACT & LUNG MAY HAVE CONGESTION & PETECHIAL HEMORRHAGES. /CYANOGENIC PLANTS/
[Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982. 961]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981. 176]**PEER REVIEWED**

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-/
[USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanides p.B-6 (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037]**PEER REVIEWED**

... /THERE IS A/ COMBINED EFFECT OF PULMONARY EDEMA AND THE INTERFERENCE OF CELLULAR METABOLISM BY THE CYANIDE RADICAL. /CYANIDE ION/
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 4861]**PEER REVIEWED**

The LD50s of sodium cyanide for black vulture (Coragyps atratus), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus), eastern screech owl (Otus asio), and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were 4.8, 4.0, 9.4, 21, 8.6, and 17 mg/kg, respectively. The LD50s for the flesh eating birds (vulture, kestrel, and owl) were lower (4.0-8.6 mg/kg) than LD50s for birds (quail, chicken, starling) that feed predominantly on plant material (9.4-21 mg/kg).
[Wiemeyer SN et al; J Wildl Dis 22 (4): 538-46 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Salmonella typhimurium strain (OASS positive) synthesize a toxic but non mutagenic metabolite from cyanide and O-acetylserine. Salmonella typhimurium mutant DW379 (OASS deficient) is neither able to carry out this reaction in vitro nor produce the toxic metabolite in vivo. L-Cysteine reverses the cyanide metabolite mediated inhibition and thus allows OASS positive strains to grow in medium containing cyanide and O-acetylserine. The toxic metabolite is ninhydrin-positive, adheres strongly to the cation-exchange column, and migrates in thin layer chromatography to an Rf value similar to that of beta-cyanoalanine.
[Owais WM et al; Mutat Res 144 (3): 119-26 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The major detoxification pathway for cyanide (CN) in many species is a biotransformation to the less toxic thiocyanate (SCN). Hepatic thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase (rhodanese) is the principal enzyme demonstrating in vitro catalytic activity. Despite the assumed importance of the hepatic enzyme for cyanide detoxification in vivo, the effects of liver damage (surgical or chemical) on cyanide lethality in animals have not been examined previously. Male CD-1 mice were pretreated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 1 ml/kg, ip) 24 hr prior to the administration of sodium cyanide (NaCN). In other experiments, carbon tetrachloride was given in the same doses at both 48 hr and 24 hr prior to sodium cyanide. Hepatotoxicity was documented by elevated serum glutamicpyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity, by histologic evaluation of the extent of cellular necrosis, by electron microscopy of the mitochondrial fraction, and by the increased duration of zoxazolamine-induced paralysis. Lethality was not changed by carbon tetrachloride pretreatments when sodium cyanide was given alone in doses of 4 or 6 mg/kg or at a dose of 10.7 mg/kg following sodium thiosulfate (1 g/kg, ip). A statistically significant protective effect was exhibited by carbon tetrachloride when sodium cyanide was given at a dose of 16 mg/kg following the administration of sodium thiosulfate. Rhodanese activity as measured in mitochondrial preparations fractionated from the livers of mice pretreated with carbon tetrachloride was not different from that in animals given the corn oil vehicle even though electron micrographs showed extensive mitochondrial damage. No difference in cyanide lethality was evident between sham operated mice and partially (2/3) hepatectomized mice at 24 hr post-surgery.
[Rutkowski JV et al; Toxicol 38 (3): 305-14 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

In cats, a dose of 1.2 mg/kg was fatal; Dogs a dose of 2.25 mg/kg caused death in 48 hours. In monkeys a dose of 0.8 mg/kg altered ECG patterns, similar to humans.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.183-4 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Glomus cells of the rabbit excised carotid body were slightly depolarized by sodium cyanide, a response that occurred slowly and with a gradual onset. In contrast, dopamine and acetylcholine strongly depolarized the cells. The membrane potential responses to sodium cyanide appeared to be indirect.
[Matsumoto S et al; Brain Res 239 (2): 674-78 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The swimming performance of guinea pigs was degraded following administration of sodium cyanide at doses which were not lethal for individual animals. Decrements in performance were observed two minutes following subcutaneous administration of sodium chloride, were maximal at 8-16 min and, at the highest dose tested, did not return to control levels until 64-128 min. Pretreatment with p-aminopropiophenone at a dose inducing 7-15% methemoglobinemia, 15-19 minutes after administration, protected animals against the effects of sodium cyanide upon swimming performance. However, the protection decreased as the interval between p-aminopropiophenone and NaCN was increased from 15 to 75 minutes.
[D'Mello GD; Neurobehav Toxicol Teratol 8 (2): 171-78 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Non-Human Toxicity Values:

Inorganic cyanides are acutely toxic compounds, for example, the LD50 in the rat is 15 mg/kg for sodium cyanide ...
[Lunn, G., E.B. Sansone. Destruction of Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1994. 133]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Rat oral 6440 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Rat ip 4300 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Mouse ip 5881 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Mouse sc 3660 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Mouse un 10 mg/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Rabbit intramuscular 1666 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

LD50 Rabbit ocular routes 5048 ug/kg
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics:

Metabolism/Metabolites:

OPOSSUMS WERE DOSED WITH SODIUM CYANIDE BY ... STOMACH TUBE. ... ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT MAJOR ROUTE OF DETOXICATION ... WAS BY CONVERSION TO THIOCYANATE, WHICH WAS EXCRETED IN URINE. TRACES OF 2-IMINO-4-THIAZOLIDINE CARBOXYLIC ACID WERE OBSERVED IN CRUDE CONCENTRATED EXTRACT OF URINE.
[Menzie, C.M. Metabolism of Pesticides, Update II. U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish Wildlife Service, Special Scientific Report - Wildlife No. 2l2.Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978. 85]**PEER REVIEWED**

... CYANIDE ION IS CONJUGATED WITH SULFUR TO FORM THIOCYANATE. ... CONJUGATION IS CATALYZED BY THE ENZYME RHODANESE WHICH IS WIDELY DISTRIBUTED IN MOST ANIMAL TISSUES EXCEPT BLOOD, LIVER BEING PARTICULARLY ACTIVE. ... THE RHODANESE MECHANISM IS CAPABLE OF DETOXICATING ONLY LIMITED AMT OF CYANIDE, SUCH AS ARE FORMED DURING NORMAL METAB. /ANOTHER SULFUR DONOR IS 3-MERCAPTOPYRUVATE. THE ENZYME, MERCAPTOSULFUR TRANSFERASE IS LOCALIZED IN CYTOSOL./ /CYANIDE/
[Parke, D. V. The Biochemistry of Foreign Compounds. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1968. 96]**PEER REVIEWED**

Salmonella typhimurium strain (OASS positive) (OASS, O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase) synthesize a toxic but non-mutagenic metabolite from cyanide and O-acetylserine. Salmonella typhimurium mutant DW379 (OASS deficient) is neither able to carry out this reaction in vitro nor produce the toxic metabolite in vivo. L-Cysteine reverses the cyanide metabolite mediated inhibition and thus allows OASS positive strains to grow in medium containing cyanide and O-acetylserine. The results suggest that the enzyme O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase catalyzes the reaction of cyanide and O-acetylserine to form the toxic metabolite. This metabolite from ninhydrin-positive, adheres strongly to the cation-exchange column, and migrates in thin layer chromatography to an Rf value similar to that of beta-cyanoalanine.
[Owais WM et al; Mutat Res 144 (3): 119-26 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

/ONE OF/ THE MAJOR MECHANISMS FOR REMOVING CYANIDE FROM THE BODY IS ITS ENZYMATIC CONVERSION, BY THE MITOCHONDRIAL ENZYME RHODANESE (TRANSSULFURASE), TO THIOCYANATE, WHICH IS RELATIVELY ... /LESS TOXIC/. /CYANIDE/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1643]**PEER REVIEWED**

FACTORS THAT INCR LIKELIHOOD OF HYDROGEN CYANIDE POISONING FROM INGESTION OF CYANOGENIC PLANTS INCLUDE: (1) LARGE AMT OF FREE HYDROGEN CYANIDE & CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDE IN PLANT, (2) RAPID INGESTION; (3) INGESTION OF A LARGE AMT OF PLANT, & (4) RUMINAL PH & MICROFLORA THAT CONTINUE TO HYDROLYZE GLYCOSIDE /SRP: TO RELEASE HYDROGEN CYANIDE/ RAPID INTAKE OF PLANT ... EQUIV TO ABOUT 4 MG HYDROGEN CYANIDE/KG OF BODY WT IS CONSIDERED TO BE LETHAL AMOUNT OF PLANT MATERIAL. ... /CYANOGENIC PLANTS/
[Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982. 961]**PEER REVIEWED**

RUMINANTS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO POISONING BY CYANOGENIC PLANTS /SRP: WHICH RELEASE HYDROGEN CYANIDE/ THAN ARE HORSES & PIGS ... /CYANOGENIC PLANTS/
[Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981. 176]**PEER REVIEWED**

Absorption, Distribution & Excretion:

IN 30 DAYS, 72% OF (14)C FROM AN IP DOSE OF (14)C-CYANIDE TO MICE WAS EXCRETED IN URINE AND FECES, 25% IN EXPIRED AIR AND 3% WAS RETAINED IN ANIMALS. PEAK EXCRETION OCCURRED WITHIN 10 MIN IN EXPIRED AIR AND WITHIN 6-24 HR IN URINE AND FECES. /CYANIDE/
[The Chemical Society. Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals. Volume 1: A Review of the Literature Published Between 1960 and 1969. London: The Chemical Society, 1970. 94]**PEER REVIEWED**

CYANIDES ARE RAPIDLY ABSORBED FROM SKIN & ALL MUCOSAL SURFACES & ARE MOST DANGEROUS WHEN INHALED, BECAUSE TOXIC AMT ARE ABSORBED THROUGH BRONCHIAL MUCOSA & ALVEOLI. /CYANIDES/
[Haddad, L.M. and Winchester, J.F. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdosage. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., 1983. 745]**PEER REVIEWED**

THE CYANIDE ION IS READILY ABSORBED AFTER ORAL OR PARENTERAL ADMIN. PROLONGED LOCAL CONTACT WITH CYANIDE SOLN ... MAY RESULT IN ABSORPTION OF TOXIC AMT THROUGH SKIN. PART OF ABSORBED CYANIDE IS EXCRETED UNCHANGED BY THE LUNG. LARGER PORTION ... IS CONVERTED BY SULFURTRANSFERASE RELATIVELY NONTOXIC TO THIOCYANATE ION. /CYANIDE/
[Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975. 904]**PEER REVIEWED**

As estimated in rats given 30 mg sodium cyanide intraperitoneally over a period of 8 days, 80 percent of the total cyanide is excreted in the urine in the form of thiocyanate.
[Wood JL, Cooley SL; J Biol Chem 218: 449 (1956) as cited in USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanides p.C-14 (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037]**PEER REVIEWED**

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. /Cyanides/
[USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanides p.C-9 (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037]**PEER REVIEWED**

Once absorbed into the body, cyanide can form complexes with heavy metal ions. /Cyanide/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.45 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Acute systemic toxicity of hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide by instillation into the inferior conjunctival sac was investigated in rabbits. LD50 value of hydrogen cyanide was 0.103 mmol/kg. Signs of toxicity appeared rapidly & death occurred within 3 to 12 min after instillation of cyanide into the conjunctival sac of the rabbit. Thus, following ocular instillation, cyanides may be absorbed across the conjunctival blood vessels in amounts sufficient to produce systemic toxicity.
[Ballantyne B; J Toxicol, Cutaneous Ocul Toxicol 2 (2-3): 119-29 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanides p.C-7 (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997. 1478]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Feldstein M, Klendshoj NC; J Lab Chin Med 44: 166-70 (1954) as cited in NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.45 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mechanism of Action:

CYANIDE HAS A VERY HIGH AFFINITY FOR IRON IN THE FERRIC STATE. WHEN ABSORBED, /CYANIDE/ ... REACTS READILY WITH TRIVALENT IRON OF CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN MITTCHONDRIA; 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/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1642]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. III-126]**PEER REVIEWED**

THE CORTICAL GRAY MATTER, HIPPOCAMPUS (H1), CORPORA STRIATA, & SUBSTANTIA NIGRA ARE COMMONLY AFFECTED. ... 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/
[Doull, J., C.D.Klassen, and M.D. Amdur (eds.). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. 3rd ed., New York: Macmillan Co., Inc., 1986. 372]**PEER REVIEWED**

Evoked release of transmitter at the squid giant synapse was examined under conditions where the calcium ion concentration in the presynaptic terminal was manipulated by inhibitors of calcium sequestration. Simultaneous intracellular recordings of presynaptic and postsynaptic resting action potentials were made during bath application of various metabolic inhibitors including sodium cyanide. Cyanide reversibly depressed the post-synaptic potential. The progressive reduction of post-synaptic potential amplitude was accompanied by a reversible increase in synaptic delay. The time course of block of the post-synaptic potential was similar for different agents and dependant on the rate of presynaptic activity (30-40 min at 0.01 Hz). Recovery of the post-synaptic action potential following block by cyanide was obtained within 40 min. Synaptic depression by the metabolic inhibitors does not result from changes in the presynaptic resting or action potentials, nor from a change in post-synaptic receptor sensitivity. The post-synaptic response to local ionophoresis of L-glutamate was unchanged following the inhibition of evoked release of transmitter by cyanide. Injections of EDTA into presynaptic terminals poisoned by cyanide produced transient increases in post-synaptic potential amplitude, suggesting that cyanide is having its effect through raising intracellular calcium rather than lowering ATP. Control experiments injecting EDTA into unpoisoned nerve terminals showed no apparent effect on evoked transmitter release.
[Adams DJ et al; J Physiol 369: 145-159 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The effects of carotid body chemoreceptor stimulation by sodium cyanide on respiration and phrenic nerve activity were studied in intact and vagotomized rabbits. In intact animals an intracarotid injection of 30 ug of sodium cyanide resulted in an elevation of phrenic nerve activity and a rapid onset of respiratory excitation associated with an increase in respiratory rate and the response was markedly potentiated after vagotomy. The change in respiratory rate was primarily due to a decrease in expiration time in intact animals, whereas it resulted from a pronounced decrease in inspiration time in vagotomized animals. Apparently, a suppressive effect of the vagus nerve on carotid body chemoreceptor reflex occurred. An induction of a continuous increase in phrenic nerve activity accompanied by apneustic respiration by intracarotid dopamine was another evidence to support the /observation/.
[Matsumoto S et al; Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 252 (2): 298-306 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The major detoxification pathway for cyanide in many species is a biotransformation to the less toxic thiocyanate. Hepatic thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase (rhodanese) is the principal enzyme demonstrating in vitro catalytic activity. Despite the assumed importance of the hepatic enzyme for cyanide detoxification in vivo, the effects of liver damage (surgical or chemical) on cyanide lethality in animals have not been examined previously. Male CD-1 mice pretreated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 1 mg/kg, ip 24 hr prior to the administration of sodium cyanide. In other experiments carbon tetrachloride was given in the same doses at both 48 hr and 24 hr prior to sodium cyanide. Hepatotoxicity was documented by elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity, by histologic evaluation of the extent of cellular necrosis, by electron microscopy of the mitochondrial fraction, and by the increased duration of zoxazolamine-induced paralysis. Lethality was not changed by carbon tetrachloride pretreatments when sodium cyanide was given alone in doses of 4 or 6 mg/kg or at a dose of 10.7 mg/kg following sodium thiosulfate (sodium sulfide, 1 g/kg, ip). A small but statistically ... protective effect was exhibited by CCl4 when sodium cyanide was given at a dose of 16 mg/kg following the administration of sodium sulfide. Rhodanese activity as measured in mitochrondrial preparations fractionated from the livers of mice pretreated with carbon tetrachloride was not different from that in animals given the corn oil vehicle even through electron micrographs showed extensive mitochondrial damage. No difference in cyanide lethality was evident between sham-operated mice and partially (2/3) hepatectomized mice at 24 hr post-surgery. An intact healthy liver does not appear to be essential for cyanide detoxification in mice whether or not thiosulfate is also given. Because rhodanese activity was slightly but ... higher in mitochondria lysed by Triton X-100 than in intact mitochondria, the mitochondrial membrane may constitute a barrier to sodium sulfide.
[Rutkowski JV et al; Toxicology 38 (3): 305-14 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Presumably, the accumulation of cyanide in erythrocytes is a reflection of its binding to methemoglobin.
[USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Citeria Doc: Cyanides p.C-9 (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037]**PEER REVIEWED**

The cyanide ion (CN-) ... forms complexes with a number of other chemicals (eg, in tissues) and has a strong affinity for cobalt. /Cyanide ion/
[Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982. 961]**PEER REVIEWED**

Human lymphocytes were irradiated by (60)Co gamma-rays after 0, 10, 20, 35, 45, 48, and 49.5 hr of incubation. Immediately after irradiation sodium cyanide, sodium fluoride, or monoiodoacetic acid was given for 2.5 hr. Non irradiated cells were subject to the same treatments. Chromosomal aberrations were analyzed in metaphase cells of the first mitosis. When administered alone, all chemicals increased the frequency of chromatid aberrations. The special analysis showed that these chemicals were not mutagens in a strict sense, as the observed increase of aberration frequency was due to inhibition of repair process, which increased the probability of manifestation of spontaneous changes (so-called "pseudomutagenesis"). The same chemicals increased the frequency of radiation-induced aberrations during two periods of mitotic cycle, namely, in the end of the G1 stage and in the G2 stage.
[Luchnik NV et al; Genetika (Moskva) 21 (2): 252-61 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

/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/
[Gilman, A.G., L.S.Goodman, and A. Gilman. (eds.). Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1985. 1642]**PEER REVIEWED**

Interactions:

FASTED MONGREL DOGS WERE SUBJECTED TO SODIUM THIOSULFATE INFUSION FOLLOWED BY SODIUM CYANIDE ADMIN (1 MG/KG) 30 MIN LATER. A PHARMACOKINETIC MODEL SHOWED THAT SODIUM THIOSULFATE INCREASED THE RATE OF CONVERSION OF CYANIDE TO THIOCYANATE BY A FACTOR OF 36.5; ALSO, IT REDUCED THE APPARENT VOLUME OF DISTRIBUTION OF CYANIDE.
[SYLVESTER DM ET AL; PROC WEST PHARMACOL SOC 24: 135 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF PRETREATMENT WITH AIR AND OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR IN VARIOUS COMBINATIONS WITH SODIUM NITRITE AND/OR SODIUM THIOSULFATE ON THE PHYSIOLOGIC DISPOSITION OF SODIUM (14)C-CYANIDE IN MICE. OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH SODIUM THIOSULFATE ... ENHANCED THE RESPIRATORY EXCRETION WHEN COMPARED WITH AIR. SODIUM THIOSULFATE ACCELERATED THE INITIAL RATE, BUT NOT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVITY EXCRETED. THE CUMULATIVE RECOVERY OF RADIOACTIVE GASES WAS ... GREATER WITH GROUPS RECEIVING OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR WITH SODIUM THIOSULFATE. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VARIOUS EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS WERE NOTED IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF URINARY RADIOACTIVITY EXCRETED OR THE TOTAL BODY RETENTION OF RADIOACTIVITY.
[BURROWS GE ET AL; J TOXICOL ENVIRON HEALTH 10: 181-89 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Previous reports indicated that prophylactic protection against cyanide intoxication in mice can be enhanced by administration of chlorpromazine when it is given with sodium thiosulfate. The mechanism of potentiation of sodium thiosulfate by chlorpromazine was studied alone and in combination with sodium nitrite. Although chlorpromazine was found to induce a hypothermic response, the mechanism of enhancement of the antagonism of cyanide by chlorpromazine does not correlate with the hypothermia produced. Various other possible mechanisms were investigated, such as rate of methemoglobin formation, enzymatic activity of rhodanese and cytochrome oxidase, and alpha-adrenergic blockade. The alpha-adrenergic blocking properties of chlorpromazine may provide a basis for its antidotal effect, since this protective effect can be reversed with an alpha-antagonist, methoxamine. /Cyanide/
[Kong A et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 71 (3): 407-13 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The effects of tribuyltin and sodium cyanide on hemolysis in human erythrocytes are described. Tributyltin has a sharp cut take off concentration for induction of hemolysis. A 5 uM concentration of tributyltin induces hemolysis and 1 uM or less does not in erythrocyte suspensions with lysis are sigmoidal indicating a complex molecular mechanism leading to lysis. Ten mM sodium cyanide plus 1 uM tributyltin does not stimulate hemolysis rates above levels observed with 10 mM sodium cyanide alone. Five nM sodium cyanide plus hemolytic concentrations of tributyltin stimulates hemolysis rates synergistically compared with either cyanide or tributyltin alone. Ultrastructurally, hemolytic concentrations of tribuyltin can be visualized in the electron microscope by osmium staining during fixation as electron dense spheres penetrating the lipid bilayer of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. Ten mM sodium cyanide plus 25 uM tributyltin increases slightly the size of osmiophilic structures in erythrocyte membranes compared with those spheres seen in cells exposed to 25 uM tribuyltin alone. Sodium cyanide is the only compound tested that stimulates tributyltin induced hemolysis.
[Gray BH et al; J Appl Toxicol 6 (4): 263-70 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pharmacology:

Interactions:

FASTED MONGREL DOGS WERE SUBJECTED TO SODIUM THIOSULFATE INFUSION FOLLOWED BY SODIUM CYANIDE ADMIN (1 MG/KG) 30 MIN LATER. A PHARMACOKINETIC MODEL SHOWED THAT SODIUM THIOSULFATE INCREASED THE RATE OF CONVERSION OF CYANIDE TO THIOCYANATE BY A FACTOR OF 36.5; ALSO, IT REDUCED THE APPARENT VOLUME OF DISTRIBUTION OF CYANIDE.
[SYLVESTER DM ET AL; PROC WEST PHARMACOL SOC 24: 135 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF PRETREATMENT WITH AIR AND OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR IN VARIOUS COMBINATIONS WITH SODIUM NITRITE AND/OR SODIUM THIOSULFATE ON THE PHYSIOLOGIC DISPOSITION OF SODIUM (14)C-CYANIDE IN MICE. OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH SODIUM THIOSULFATE ... ENHANCED THE RESPIRATORY EXCRETION WHEN COMPARED WITH AIR. SODIUM THIOSULFATE ACCELERATED THE INITIAL RATE, BUT NOT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVITY EXCRETED. THE CUMULATIVE RECOVERY OF RADIOACTIVE GASES WAS ... GREATER WITH GROUPS RECEIVING OXYGEN EITHER ALONE OR WITH SODIUM THIOSULFATE. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VARIOUS EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS WERE NOTED IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF URINARY RADIOACTIVITY EXCRETED OR THE TOTAL BODY RETENTION OF RADIOACTIVITY.
[BURROWS GE ET AL; J TOXICOL ENVIRON HEALTH 10: 181-89 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Previous reports indicated that prophylactic protection against cyanide intoxication in mice can be enhanced by administration of chlorpromazine when it is given with sodium thiosulfate. The mechanism of potentiation of sodium thiosulfate by chlorpromazine was studied alone and in combination with sodium nitrite. Although chlorpromazine was found to induce a hypothermic response, the mechanism of enhancement of the antagonism of cyanide by chlorpromazine does not correlate with the hypothermia produced. Various other possible mechanisms were investigated, such as rate of methemoglobin formation, enzymatic activity of rhodanese and cytochrome oxidase, and alpha-adrenergic blockade. The alpha-adrenergic blocking properties of chlorpromazine may provide a basis for its antidotal effect, since this protective effect can be reversed with an alpha-antagonist, methoxamine. /Cyanide/
[Kong A et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 71 (3): 407-13 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The effects of tribuyltin and sodium cyanide on hemolysis in human erythrocytes are described. Tributyltin has a sharp cut take off concentration for induction of hemolysis. A 5 uM concentration of tributyltin induces hemolysis and 1 uM or less does not in erythrocyte suspensions with lysis are sigmoidal indicating a complex molecular mechanism leading to lysis. Ten mM sodium cyanide plus 1 uM tributyltin does not stimulate hemolysis rates above levels observed with 10 mM sodium cyanide alone. Five nM sodium cyanide plus hemolytic concentrations of tributyltin stimulates hemolysis rates synergistically compared with either cyanide or tributyltin alone. Ultrastructurally, hemolytic concentrations of tribuyltin can be visualized in the electron microscope by osmium staining during fixation as electron dense spheres penetrating the lipid bilayer of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. Ten mM sodium cyanide plus 25 uM tributyltin increases slightly the size of osmiophilic structures in erythrocyte membranes compared with those spheres seen in cells exposed to 25 uM tribuyltin alone. Sodium cyanide is the only compound tested that stimulates tributyltin induced hemolysis.
[Gray BH et al; J Appl Toxicol 6 (4): 263-70 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Fate & Exposure:

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

/IN ELECTROPLATING/ ... SODIUM BATH CONTAINS SODIUM CYANIDE ... ...
[Browning, E. Toxicity of Industrial Metals. 2nd ed. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969. 164]**PEER REVIEWED**

... SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE ... REPORTED IN ELECTROPLATERS & SILVER POLISHERS AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPOSURE. /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 575]**PEER REVIEWED**

AMONG FUMIGATORS ... CYANIDE POISONING IS RECOGNIZED ... /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 575]**PEER REVIEWED**

DERMATITIS ... IN WORKERS CHRONICALLY EXPOSED TO CYANIDE SOLN. ELECTROPLATERS SUFFER FROM SUCH IRRITATION. /CYANIDE SOLN/
[Hamilton, A., and H. L. Hardy. Industrial Toxicology. 3rd ed. Acton, Mass.: Publishing Sciences Group, Inc., 1974. 224]**PEER REVIEWED**

Body Burden:

Cyanide is present in normal healthy human organs at concentrations ranging up to 0.5 mg/kg. /Cyanide/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.48 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Natural Pollution Sources:

In bacteria, cyanide production has been observed in Chromobacterium violaceum and certain species of Pseudomonas. /Cyanide/
[Nat'l Research Council Canada; The Effect of Cyanides on Aquatic Organisms with Emphasis Upon Fresh Water Fishes p.47 (1976) NRCC No.19246]**PEER REVIEWED**

Artificial Pollution Sources:

Material containing cyanide compounds disposed of on land may lead to elevated levels of cyanide in underlying strata and in groundwater. /Cyanides/
[Nat'l Research Council Canada; The Effect of Cyanides on Aquatic Organisms with Emphasis Upon Fresh Water Fishes p.49 (1982) NRCC No.19246]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Fate:

Aquatic Fate: The alkali metal salts are very soluble in water, and as a result, they readily dissociate into their respective anions and cations upon release to water. The resulting cyanide ion may then form hydrogen cyanide or react with various metals present in natural water. If the cyanide ion is present in excess, complex metallocyanides may form; however, if metals are prevalent, simple metal cyanides may form.
[DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Cyanide (Draft) p.76 (1/88)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Standards & Regulations:

FIFRA Requirements:

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA 1988 were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Sodium cyanide is found on List C. Case No: 3086; Pesticide type: rodenticide; Case Status: Reregistration Eligibility Decision Approved 9/94, PB95-173514 - OPP has made a decision that some/all uses of the pesticide are eligible for reregistration, as reflected in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): sodium cyanide; Data Call-in (DCI) Date(s): 9/30/92; AI Status: Reregistration Eligibility Decision Completed - OPP has completed a Reregistration Eligibility document for the case/AI.
[USEPA/OPP; Status of Pesticides in Registration, Reregistration and Special Review p.257 (Spring, 1998) EPA 738-R-98-002]**PEER REVIEWED**

TSCA Requirements:

Section 8(a) of TSCA requires manufacturers of this chemical substance to report preliminary assessment information concerned with production, use, and exposure to EPA as cited in the preamble in 51 FR 41329.
[40 CFR 712.30 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pursuant to section 8(d) of TSCA, EPA promulgated a model Health and Safety Data Reporting Rule. The section 8(d) model rule requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of listed chemical substances and mixtures to submit to EPA copies and lists of unpublished health and safety studies. Sodium cyanide is included on this list.
[40 CFR 716.120 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Manufacturers and processors of sodium cyanide are required to conduct chemical fate and terrestrial effects tests under TSCA section 4.
[40 CFR 799.5000 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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 10 lb or 4.54 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).
[40 CFR 302.4 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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. Sodium cyanide is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 100 lbs.
[40 CFR 355 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

RCRA Requirements:

P106; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when sodium 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)).
[40 CFR 261.33 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

/SRP:/ D003; A solid waste containing sodium 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.
[40 CFR 261.23 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Clean Water Act Requirements:

Sodium cyanide is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.
[40 CFR 116.4 (7/1/99)] **QC REVIEWED**

Federal Drinking Water Standards:

EPA 200 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

Federal Drinking Water Guidelines:

EPA 200 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

State Drinking Water Guidelines:

(AZ) ARIZONA 220 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(ME) MAINE 154 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

(MN) MINNESOTA 100 ug/l /Cyanide ion/
[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)] **QC REVIEWED**

Chemical/Physical Properties:

Molecular Formula:

C-N-Na
**PEER REVIEWED**

Molecular Weight:

49.0
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

Color/Form:

White cubic crystals
[Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 79th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1998-1999.,p. 4-85]**PEER REVIEWED**

WHITE SOLID IN FORM OF GRANULES, FLAKES, OR EGGS (RESEMBLING CHICKEN EGGS)
[National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986.,p. 49-81]**PEER REVIEWED**

White, granular or crystalline solid.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Odor:

Odorless when perfectly dry, emits odor of hydrogen cyanide when damp
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

Faint odor of bitter almonds
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Faint almond-like odor.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boiling Point:

1496 deg C
[Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 3127]**PEER REVIEWED**

Melting Point:

563 deg C
[Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 79th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1998-1999.,p. 4-85]**PEER REVIEWED**

Corrosivity:

Corrosive to aluminum.
[Bureau of Explosives; Hazardous Matls Regs of DOT p.81 (1985) ICC No. BOE-6000E]**PEER REVIEWED**

Density/Specific Gravity:

1.595 g/cu cm @ 20 deg C
[Gerhartz, W. (exec ed.). Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 5th ed.Vol A1: Deerfield Beach, FL: VCH Publishers, 1985 to Present.,p. VA8 166]**PEER REVIEWED**

Heat of Vaporization:

3041 J/g
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present.,p. V7 766]**PEER REVIEWED**

pH:

Aq soln strongly alkaline
[Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

Solubilities:

48 G/100 CC WATER @ 10 DEG C
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 68th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1987-1988.,p. B-130]**PEER REVIEWED**

82 G/100 CC WATER @ 35 DEG C
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 68th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1987-1988.,p. B-130]**PEER REVIEWED**

Slightly sol in alcohol
[Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spectral Properties:

INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.452
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 68th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1987-1988.,p. B-130]**PEER REVIEWED**

Vapor Pressure:

1 mm Hg @ 817 deg C; 10 mm Hg @ 983 deg C
[Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 3127]**PEER REVIEWED**

Viscosity:

4 cP @ 30 deg C (26% aqueous soln)
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 7(79) 321]**PEER REVIEWED**

Other Chemical/Physical Properties:

Soln readily dissolves gold and silver in presence of air
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

DELIQUESCES
[Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 68th ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press Inc., 1987-1988.,p. B-130]**PEER REVIEWED**

Absorbs water from the air forming a syrup
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Heat of capacity: 1.40 @ 25-72 deg C; heat of fusion: 179 J/g; heat of formation: -89.9X10+3 J/mole (exothermic); heat of solution: -1548 J/mole; hydrolysis constant: 2.51X10-5 @ 25 deg C
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present.,p. V7 766]**PEER REVIEWED**

When heated in a dry carbon dioxide atmosphere, sodium cyanide fuses without much decomposition. Thermal dissociation of sodium cyanide has been studied in an atm of helium at 600-1050 deg C and in an atm of nitrogen at 1050-1255 deg C. It has been shown that vapor phase over melt contains decomposition products.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 7(79) 321]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chemical Safety & Handling:

DOT Emergency Guidelines:

Health: TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns, or death. Reaction with water or moist air will release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat which will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fire or explosion: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat which will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or contaminated with water.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Public safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number. ... Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 50 to 100 meters (160 to 330 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate enclosed areas.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Protective clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing which is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. Structural firefighters' protective clothing is recommended for fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Evacuation: Spill: Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fire: Note: Most foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases. Small fires: CO2 (except for Cyanides), dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam. Large fires: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not use straight streams. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material. Fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from the ends of tanks.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spill or leak: ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Small spills: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand, or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

First aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-157]**PEER REVIEWED**

List of Dangerous Water-Reactive Materials: Materials Which Create Large Amounts of Toxic (PIH) Vapor When Spilled in Water (Dangerous From 0.5 to 10 km (0.3 to 6.0 miles) Downwind) Name of Material: Sodium cyanide, Toxic Vapor (PIH) Produced: hydrogen cyanide.
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. TABLE]**PEER REVIEWED**

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

Irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

NFPA Hazard Classification:

Health: 3. 3= Materials that, on short exposure, could cause serious temporary or residual injury, including those requiring protection from all bodily contact. Fire fighters may enter the area only if they are protected from all contact with the material. Full protective clothing, including self-contained breathing apparatus, coat, pants, gloves, boots, and bands around legs, arms, and waist, should be provided. No skin surface should be exposed.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**QC REVIEWED**

Flammability: 0. 0= This degree includes any material that will not burn.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**QC REVIEWED**

Reactivity: 0. 0= This degree includes materials that are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and that do not react with water. Normal fire fighting procedures may be used.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire Fighting Procedures:

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers must not be used where cyanide salts are present. /Cyanide salts/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.24 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Wear chemical protective suit with self-contained breathing apparatus.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Avoid carbon dioxide extinguishers. Extinguish fire using agent suitable for surrounding fire. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. /Sodium cyanide solution/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Do not use water on material itself. If large quantities of combustibles are involved, use water in flooding quantities as spray and fog. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. /Sodium cyandie, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 976]**PEER REVIEWED**

Toxic Combustion Products:

Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires involving this material. /Sodium cyanide solution; sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Firefighting Hazards:

Not combustible, but if involved in a fire decomposes to produce hydrogen cyanide & oxides of nitrogen.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**QC REVIEWED**

Explosive Limits & Potential:

Explodes if melted with nitrite or chlorate at about 450 deg C.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities:

Violent reaction with fluorine /gas/, magnesium, nitrates, nitric acid ...
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 4th ed. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990 316]**PEER REVIEWED**

Dangerous; on contact with acid, acid fumes, water, or steam ... will produce toxic and flammable vapors of CN- and sodium oxide.
[Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996. 2958]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cyanide may react with carbon dioxide in ordinary air to form toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. /Cyanide/
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fusion of mixtures of metal cyanides with metal chlorates, perchlorates, or nitrates ... causes a violent explosion. /Metal cyanides/
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1570]**PEER REVIEWED**

Contact with acids and acid salts causes immediate formation of toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. ... /Cyanides/
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**

Strong oxidizers (such as acids, acid salts, chlorates & nitrates) [Note: Absorbs moisture from the air forming a syrup].
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Hazardous Decomposition:

... If involved in a fire decomposes to produce hydrogen cyanide and oxides of nitrogen.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:

25 mg/cu m (as CN)
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Protective Equipment & Clothing:

WHERE SKIN CAN BE EXPOSED ... PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, INCLUDING IMPERVIOUS HAND PROTECTION SHOULD BE PROVIDED. ... /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 576]**PEER REVIEWED**

Wear special protective clothing and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

Respirator Selection: Less than or equal to 25 mg/cu m: (1) Filter type respirators, approved for toxic dust, with half-mask (not applicable for calcium cyanide). (2) Chemical cartridge respirators with replaceable cartridge for toxic dusts and acid gases; With half-mask. Maximum service life 4 hr. Less than or equal to 50 mg/cu m: (1) Full-face gas mask, chest or back mounted type, with industrial size canister for toxic dust and hydrocyanic acid gas. Maximum service life 2 hr. (2) Type C supplied air-respirator, continuous-flow or pressure-demand type (positive pressure) with full facepiece. (3) Type A supplied-air respirator, (hose mask with blower) with full facepiece. Greater than 50 mg/cu m: (1) Self-contained breathing apparatus with positive pressure in full facepiece. (2) Combination supplied-air respirator pressure-demand type with auxiliary self-contained air supply. Emergency (no concentration limit): (1) Self-contained breathing apparatus with positive pressure in facepiece. (2) Combination supplied-air respirator, pressure-demand type, with auxiliary self-contained air supply. Evacuation or Escape (no concentration limit): (1) Self-contained breathing apparatus in demand or pressure-demand mode (negative or positive pressure). (2) Full-face gas mask, front or back mount type with industrial size canister for toxic dust and hydrocyanic acid gas. /Cyanide salts/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.14 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.17 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

... Rubber gloves /should be worn/ when handling cyanide solutions ...
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

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.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

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.]
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 25 mg/cu m. Respirator Class(es): Any supplied-air respirator. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Emergency or planned entry into unknown concn or IDLH conditions: Respirator Class(es): 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 face piece and is operated in 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.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Escape from suddenly occurring respiratory hazards: Respirator Class(es): 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.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Preventive Measures:

If material not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. /Sodium cyanide solution/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

If material not involved in fire: Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Do not use water on material itself. /Sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 976]**PEER REVIEWED**

Personnel protection: ... If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. /Sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 976]**PEER REVIEWED**

Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. ... Avoid bodily contact with the material. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. /Sodium cyanide solution; sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

When cyanide salts are used in fused salt baths, mechanical local exhaust ventilation should be provided to control any cyanide emissions. /Cyanide salts/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.27 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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 and cyanide salts/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.31 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3]**PEER REVIEWED**

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.
**PEER REVIEWED**

PERSONS WHO WORK WITH & AROUND CYANIDE PREPN SHOULD BE GIVEN SPECIFIC DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON MANAGEMENT OF CYANIDE POISONING. /CYANIDES/
[Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975. 905]**PEER REVIEWED**

Food storage, preparation, and eating shall be prohibited in areas where HCN 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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.31 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 576]**PEER REVIEWED**

Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 576]**PEER REVIEWED**

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.
**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.3-4 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Stability/Shelf Life:

AQ SOLN ... RAPIDLY DECOMPOSES ON STANDING.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 1057]**PEER REVIEWED**

Aqueous solutions of sodium cyanide are slightly hydrolyzed (Kh= 2.5X10-5) at ordinary temperatures to produce hydrogen cyanide.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.38 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Shipment Methods and Regulations:

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./
[49 CFR 171.2 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials.
[IATA. Dangerous Goods Regulations. 40th Ed. Montreal, Canada and Geneva, Switzerland: International Air Transport Association, Dangerous Goods Regulations, 1999. 209]**PEER REVIEWED**

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.
[IMDG; International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; International Maritime Organization p.6257 (1998)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Storage Conditions:

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from water, acids, carbon dioxide.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.24 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

ALL CONTAINERS OF CYANIDE SALTS SHOULD BE KEPT COVERED OR IN EXHAUST HOOD WHEN NOT IN USE. /CYANIDES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 576]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. 7(79) 326]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cleanup Methods:

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/
[OEHLER B; TECH UMWELTSCHUTZ 24 (ABPRODUKTNUTZUNG): 133-39 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental considerations - Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. /Sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 976]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental considerations - Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. /Sodium cyanide solution/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental considerations - Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knock down water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. /Sodium cyanide solution; sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental considerations - Water spill: Add dilute caustic soda (sodium hydroxide). Add calcium hypochlorite ... Adjust pH to neutral (pH= 7). /Sodium cyanide solution; sodium cyanide, solid/
[Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994. 975]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spills of sodium cyanide ... solids may be shoveled carefully into containers, with care being taken that cyanide dust is not dispersed into the air. The residue after shoveling, or small spills, may be removed by dry vacuuming or flushing with a liberal quantity of water.
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.122 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

The electrodialysis through polyethylene membranes is used by the Legrand Copper Plating Co at Limoges, France to recover 3000 kg copper and 3400 kg sodium cyanide annually from wastewaters.
[Catonne JC; Galvano-Organo 50 (516): 489-90 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

If cyanide is spilled ... 1. Ventilate area of spill. 2. Collect spilled material in the most convenient and safe manner for reclamation or for treatment in a cyanide disposal system.
[Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) PublicationNo. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 5]**PEER REVIEWED**

POON CP C; MANAGE CONTROL HEAVY MET ENVIRON, INT CONF 572-75 (1979)] REMOVAL OF COPPER, NICKEL, ZINC, CADMIUM AND CYANIDE FROM PLATING WASTEWATER BY ELECTROFLOTATION IS DISCUSSED. /CYANIDES/
**PEER REVIEWED**

Keep water away from release. Avoid contact with dust, mist, or solution. Do not create dust. Prompt cleanup and removal are necessary. Shovel into suitable dry container. Control runoff and isolate discharged material for proper disposal.
[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.,p. 49-118]**PEER REVIEWED**

Disposal Methods:

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D003; P106, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.
[40 CFR 240-280, 300-306, 702-799 (7/1/96)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.27 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sodium cyanide is a poor candidate for incineration.
[USEPA; Engineering Handbook for Hazardous Waste Incineration p.3-10 (1981) EPA 68-03-3025]**PEER REVIEWED**

SMALL AMOUNTS OF AMMONIUM CHLORIDE-BUFFERED, AQUEOUS SODIUM CYANIDE WERE DECONTAMINATED WITH CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE AT LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 12 DEGREES, WHILE LARGER AMOUNTS OF CYANIDE WASTE WERE TREATED WITH HYPOCHLORITE FROM ANY SOURCE AT PH 10 TO CONVERT CYANIDE ION TO CYANATE ION.
[PEARSON DE ET AL; J ENVIRON SCI HEALTH, PART A A16 (3): 265-70 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Occupational Exposure Standards:

OSHA Standards:

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time-Weighted Avg: 5 mg/cu m). Skin Designation. /Cyanides, as CN/
[29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/99)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Threshold Limit Values:

Ceiling limit 5 mg/cu m, skin
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents Biological Exposure Indices for 1999. Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1999. 42]**PEER REVIEWED**

NIOSH Recommendations:

Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Min Ceiling Value: 4.7 ppm (5 mg/cu m).
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health:

25 mg/cu m (as CN)
[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997. 282]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.190 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Manufacturing/Use Information:

Major Uses:

/Former use/ Fumigating citrus and other fruit trees, ships, railway cars, warehouses
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 157]**PEER REVIEWED**

/FORMER USE/ AS RODENTICIDE
[Morgan, D.P. Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings. EPA 540/9-80-005. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1982. 81]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cleaning metals; mfr of dyes and pigments, nylon int, chelating cmpd; extracting gold and silver from ores.
[Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

For rabbit, rat burrows and holes; termite nests
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1999. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publishing Co., 1999.,p. C 357]**PEER REVIEWED**

COMPONENT OF ELECTROPLATING SOLUTIONS, EG, FOR ZINC; COMPONENT OF SALTS FOR CASE HARDENING OF STEEL; AGENT FOR EXTRACTION OF GOLD & SILVER FROM ORES; DEPRESSANT IN FROTH FLOTATION SEPARATION OF ORES; CHEM INT FOR PHENYLGLYCINE
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

Manufacture of hydrocyanic acid and many other cyanides
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chemical uses are in 5 general categories: dyes, including optical brighteners; agricultural chemicals; pharmaceuticals; chelating or sequestering agents; and specialties, preparation of nitriles, carbylamines, cyano fatty acids, and heavy metal cyanides, misc uses include heat-treating, metal stripping, and compounds for clearing smut
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present.,p. V7 766]**PEER REVIEWED**

Used as a single and multidose poison on pastures, range land, and forest lands for coyote, fox and wild dog. /M-44 cyanide capsules/
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Used as an insecticide and miticide for postharvest application for non-stored commodity of citrus or fumigation of trucks (feed/food-full). /Sodium cyanide, crystalline/
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Manufacturers:

Cyanco Co., P.O. Box 1999, Winnemucca, NV 89446 (702)623-1214; Production site: Winnemucca, NV 89446
[SRI. 1999 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States. Menlo Park, CA. SRI Consulting 1999. 852]**PEER REVIEWED**

Degussa-Huls, Corp., 65 Challenger Rd., Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660, (201)641-6100; Production site: Theodore, AL 36590
[SRI. 1999 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States. Menlo Park, CA. SRI Consulting 1999. 852]**PEER REVIEWED**

DuPont, Hq, 1007 Market St., Wilmington, DE 19898, (302)774-1000; DuPont Specialty Chemicals, DuPont Performance, Specialty, and Fine Chemicals; Production site: Memphis, TN 38127
[SRI. 1999 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States. Menlo Park, CA. SRI Consulting 1999. 882]**PEER REVIEWED**

FMC Corp., 200 East Randolph Dr., Chicago, IL 60601, (312)861-6000; Chemical Products Group; Alkali Chemicals Division; Production site: Green River, WY
[SRI. 1999 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States. Menlo Park, CA. SRI Consulting 1999. 882]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sterling Chemicals, Inc., Hq, 1200 Smith St., Suite 1800, Houston, TX 77002, (713) 650-3700; Production site: Texas City, TX 77590
[SRI. 1999 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States. Menlo Park, CA. SRI Consulting 1999. 882]**PEER REVIEWED**

Methods of Manufacturing:

Sodium cyanide can be prepared by heating sodium amide with carbon, by melting sodium chloride and calcium cyanamide together in an electric furnace ...
[Clayton, G.D., F.E. Clayton (eds.) Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volumes 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F: Toxicology. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 1993-1994. 3127]**PEER REVIEWED**

Molten sodium, ammonia and charcoal react to give a high grade (98%) sodium cyanide
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present.,p. V7 765]**PEER REVIEWED**

General Manufacturing Information:

U.S.: For use only by trained persons with permit or license.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1999. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publishing Co., 1999.,p. C 357]**PEER REVIEWED**

Formulations/Preparations:

Powder
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1999. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publishing Co., 1999.,p. C 357]**PEER REVIEWED**

Grades: 30% soln; 73-75%; 96-98%; reagent; technical; briquettes granular.
[Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

The cyanide of commerce is 95-98% pure.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mixtures of sodium cyanide with sodium chloride or carbonate for special uses are also marketed.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

M-44 cyanide capsules; Pelletted/tabletted; 88.78% sodium cyanide (74002)
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sodium cyanide; crystalline; 99% sodium cyanide (74002)
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Production:

(1977) AT LEAST 1.14X10+11 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Imports:

(1978) 7.01X10+9 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1982) 7.45X10+9 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1985) 8.32X10+9 g
[BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION AND GENERAL IMPORTS 1985 p.1-571]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1986) 2.77x10+7 lb
[BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. US IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION AND GENERAL IMPORTS 1986 p.1-518]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Exports:

(1978) 9.66X10+9 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1982) 9.96X10+9 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1985) 1.23X10+10 g
[BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U.S. EXPORTS, SCHEDULE E, 1986 p.2-76]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1987) 9,031,377 lb
[BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U. S. EXPORTS, SCHEDULE E, AUGUST 1987, p.9-23]**PEER REVIEWED**

Laboratory Methods:

Clinical Laboratory Methods:

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/
[Sunshine, Irving (ed.) Methodology for Analytical Toxicology. Cleveland: CRC Press, Inc., 1975. 113]**PEER REVIEWED**

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 CN WITH P-BENZOQUINONE. /TOTAL CYANIDE/
[MORGAN R ET AL; PROC WEST PHARMACOL SOC 19: 392-96 (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[VALENTOUR ET AL; ANAL CHEM 46: 924 (1974)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Analytic Laboratory Methods:

ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE: FRANK, ROSE & RISEMAN; ANAL CHEM (44) 2227 (1972); FLUOROMETRY: DANCHIK & BOLTZ; ANAL CHIM ACTA (49) 567 (1970); GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY: VALENTOUR, AGGARWAL & SUNSHINE; ANAL CHEM (46) 924 (1974); ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE, FLUOROMETRY, AND CHROMATOGRAPHY USED TO DETERMINE SODIUM CYANIDE.
**PEER REVIEWED**

A GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DETERMINING RESIDUES OF SODIUM CYANIDE IN VEGETATION AND SOIL IS PRESENTED. SOIL PLOTS WERE TREATED WITH 0.88 G OF SODIUM CYANIDE. VERY SMALL AMOUNTS WERE FOUND IN THE VEGETABLE AND SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN 2 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT INDICATING THE CONTAMINATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE USE OF M-44 CARTRIDGES WHICH CONTAIN SODIUM CYANIDE IS NOT LIKELY TO OCCUR.
[OKUNO I ET AL; BULL ENVIRON CONTAM TOXICOL 22 (3): 386-90 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.97 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Colorimetric method: Pyridine-pyrazolone. /Total Cyanide/
[NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.98 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

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. 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/
[USEPA; Development and Evaluation of Procedures for the Analyis of Simple Cyanides, Total Cyanide, and Thiocyanate in Water and Wastewater p.1 (1983) EPA 600/S4-83-054]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 9010: 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 cyanide/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 cyanide/l, recoveries were 85% and 102%, respectively. /Total and Amenable Cyanide/
[USEPA; Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste SW-846 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[USEPA; REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS: V. CYANIDE P.28 (1978) EPA-600/1-78-027]**PEER REVIEWED**

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/
[Danchik RS, Botz DF; Anal Chim Acta 49: 567-69 (1970) as cited in NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts p.99 (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sampling Procedures:

Analyte: Sodium; Matrix: air; Sampler: filter (0.8 um cellulose membrane); Flow rate: 1-4 l/min; Vol: min: 13 l, max: 2000 l; Stability: stable /Elements, Sodium/
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSHManual of Analytical Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with 1985 supplement, and revisions. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 1984.,p. V1 7300-1]**PEER REVIEWED**

Special References:

Special Reports:

NIOSH; Criteria Document: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (1976) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 77-108

Nat'l Research Council Canada; Effects of Cyanides on Aquatic Organisms with Emphasis Upon Fresh Water Fishes (1982) NRCC No.19246

Health Effects Assessment for Sodium Cyanide Report; Iss EPA/540/1-86/012

Sodium cyanide; potassium cyanide: Cahiers de notes documentaries 118: 133-138 (1985)

DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Cyanide (Update) TP-92/09 (1993)

USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanide (1984) EPA 440/5-84-028

USEPA; Ambient Water Quality Criteria Doc: Cyanides (1980) EPA 440/5-80-037

DHHS/NTP; NTP Technical Report on Toxicity Studies of Sodium Cyanide Administered in Drinking Water to F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice Rpt No. 37 (1993) NIH Publication No. 94-3386

Synonyms and Identifiers:

Synonyms:

M-44 cyanide capsules
**PEER REVIEWED**

Caswell No 758
**PEER REVIEWED**

CIANURO DI SODIO (ITALIAN)
**PEER REVIEWED**

CYANIDE OF SODIUM
**PEER REVIEWED**

CYANOGRAN
**PEER REVIEWED**

CYANURE DE SODIUM (FRENCH)
**PEER REVIEWED**

CYMAG
**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 074002
**PEER REVIEWED**

HYDROCYANIC ACID, SODIUM SALT
**PEER REVIEWED**

KYANID SODNY (CZECH)
**PEER REVIEWED**

Associated Chemicals:

Cyanide ion;57-12-5

Formulations/Preparations:

Powder
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1999. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publishing Co., 1999.,p. C 357]**PEER REVIEWED**

Grades: 30% soln; 73-75%; 96-98%; reagent; technical; briquettes granular.
[Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997. 1014]**PEER REVIEWED**

The cyanide of commerce is 95-98% pure.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mixtures of sodium cyanide with sodium chloride or carbonate for special uses are also marketed.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996. 1475]**PEER REVIEWED**

M-44 cyanide capsules; Pelletted/tabletted; 88.78% sodium cyanide (74002)
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sodium cyanide; crystalline; 99% sodium cyanide (74002)
[Purdue University; National Pesticide Information Retrieval System (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Shipping Name/ Number DOT/UN/NA/IMO:

UN 1689; Sodium cyanide, solid or solution

IMO 6.1; Sodium cyanide, solid or solution

Standard Transportation Number:

49 232 27; Sodium cyanide solution

49 232 28; Sodium cyanide, solid

EPA Hazardous Waste Number:

P106; 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 sodium 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.

RTECS Number:

NIOSH/VZ7530000

Administrative Information:

Hazardous Substances Databank Number: 734
Last Revision Date: 20020213
Last Review Date: Reviewed by SRP on 5/6/2000


Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and the Pathfinders Camp