Sodium cyanide
RTECS #
VZ7525000
CAS #
Updated
December 2018
Molecular Weight
49.01
Molecular Formula
CNNa
Synonyms
Cianuro di sodio (Italian)
Cyanide of sodium
Cyanobrik
Cyanogran
Cyanure de sodium (French)
Cymag
Hydrocyanic acid, sodium salt
Kyanid sodny (Czech)
Prussiate of soda
RCRA waste number P106
Sodium cyanide (ACGIH)
Cyanide of sodium
Cyanobrik
Cyanogran
Cyanure de sodium (French)
Cymag
Hydrocyanic acid, sodium salt
Kyanid sodny (Czech)
Prussiate of soda
RCRA waste number P106
Sodium cyanide (ACGIH)
Mutation Data and Reference
System Test | Route/Organism/Tissue | Dose | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunction | inhalation/Drosophila melanogaster | 200 ppb | MUREAV 261,85,1991 |
Reproductive Effects Data and References
Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
implant/hamster | 5999 mg/kg (6-9D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system | TXAPA9 64,456,1982 |
implant/hamster | 5928 mg/kg (6-9D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system | TXAPA9 64,456,1982 |
oral/rat | 6 mg/kg (10D pregnant) | Reproductive: Other effects to embryo or fetus | TXAPA9 163,149,2000 |
oral/rat | 2148 mg/kg (13W male) | Reproductive: Paternal effects: Spermatogenesis (including genetic material, sperm morphology, motility, and count) Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct | NTPTR* NIH-94-3386 |
oral/mouse | 4177 mg/kg (13W male) | Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct | NTPTR* NIH-94-3386 |
Acute Toxicity Data and References
Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m3/25M | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea Behavioral: Irritability Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 100 mg/m3/3M | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea Behavioral: Irritability Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 50 mg/m3/20M | Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning Behavioral: Tetany | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 150 mg/m3/26M | Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning Behavioral: Tetany | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 200 mg/m3/16M | Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning Behavioral: Tetany | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | Lowest published lethal concentration: 150 mg/m3/62M | VCVN1* -,342,1988 | |
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | Lowest published lethal concentration: 400 mg/m3/10M | VCVN1* -,342,1988 | |
intramuscular/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 1666 µg/kg | JACTDZ 1(3),120,1982 | |
intraperitoneal/mouse | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4900 µg/kg | NTIS** OTS0528336 | |
intraperitoneal/mouse | lowest published toxic dose: 2.6 mg/kg | Behavioral: Ataxia | TOLED5 175,111,2007 |
intraperitoneal/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 2 mg/kg | Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Catecholamine levels in CNS Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Dopamine in striatum | FCTOD7 42,359,2004 |
intraperitoneal/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4300 µg/kg | GISAAA 43(12),90,1978 | |
intravenous/cat | lowest published lethal dose: 2 mg/kg | VCVN1* -,342,1988 | |
intravenous/cat | lowest published lethal dose: 0.5 mg/kg | Brain and Coverings: Changes in surface EEG Cardiac: EKG changes not diagnostic of above | FATOAO 44,210,1981 |
intravenous/Dog | lowest published lethal dose: 1300 µg/kg | FEPRA7 6,349,1947 | |
intravenous/rabbit | lowest published toxic dose: 2.5 mg/kg | Musculoskeletal: Other changes | TXAPA9 248,269,2010 |
intravenous/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 2 mg/kg | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression | FATOAO 49,107,1986 |
ocular/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5048 µg/kg | JACTDZ 1(3),120,1982 | |
oral/chicken | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 21 mg/kg | Eye: Other eye effects Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of salivary glands | JWIDAW 22,538,1986 |
oral/child | lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kg | Gastrointestinal: Other changes | FSINDR 38,173,1988 |
oral/domestic animal | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4 mg/kg | TXAPA9 45,359,1978 | |
oral/duck | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2500 µg/kg | NTIS** OTS0530251 | |
oral/human | lowest published lethal dose: 2800 µg/kg | NTIS** OTS0528336 | |
oral/human | lowest published lethal dose: 2857 µg/kg | 34ZIAG -,191,1969 | |
oral/mammal (species unspecified) | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 8 mg/kg | BECTA6 23,211,1979 | |
oral/man | lowest published toxic dose: 714 µg/kg | Behavioral: Hallucinations, distorted perceptions Behavioral: Muscle weakness | APTOA6 20,291,1963 |
oral/man | lowest published lethal dose: 6557 µg/kg | Behavioral: Fluid intake Gastrointestinal: Gastritis | APTOA6 1,18,1945 |
oral/quail | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 8500 µg/kg | Behavioral: Tremor Behavioral: Ataxia Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea | JWIDAW 22,538,1986 |
oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6440 µg/kg | 28ZPAK -,13,1972 | |
oral/rat | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4.7 mg/kg | Behavioral: Tetany Behavioral: Ataxia Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction | VCVN1* -,342,1988 |
oral/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 8 mg/kg | Behavioral: Alteration of classical conditioning | FCTOD7 114,145,2018 |
oral/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 16 mg/kg | Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning | FCTOD7 114,145,2018 |
oral/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 32 mg/kg | Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning | FCTOD7 114,145,2018 |
oral/rat | lowest published lethal dose: 64 mg/kg | Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning | FCTOD7 114,145,2018 |
oral/wild bird | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4 mg/kg | Behavioral: Tremor Behavioral: Ataxia Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea | JWIDAW 22,538,1986 |
oral/woman | lowest published lethal dose: 40 mg/kg | Gastrointestinal: Other changes | FSINDR 38,173,1988 |
parenteral/frog | lowest published lethal dose: 60 mg/kg | Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Spastic paralysis with/without sensory change Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay) | AEPPAE 166,437,1932 |
skin/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 300 mg/kg | VCVN1* -,343,1988 | |
skin/rabbit | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 10400 µg/kg | Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity) Behavioral: Tremor Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea | NTIS** OTS0536153 |
subcutaneous/Dog | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5360 µg/kg | JAMAAP 149,113,1952 | |
subcutaneous/guinea pig | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5800 µg/kg | MELAAD 46,221,1955 | |
subcutaneous/mouse | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3600 µg/kg | AJPHAP 179,60,1954 | |
subcutaneous/rabbit | lowest published lethal dose: 2200 µg/kg | JAMAAP 100,1920,1933 | |
unreported route/human | lowest published lethal dose: 1.43 mg/kg | VCVN1* -,342,1988 | |
unreported route/man | lowest published lethal dose: 2206 µg/kg | 85DCAI 2,73,1970 | |
unreported route/mouse | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 10 mg/kg | IGAYAY 112,861,1980 |
Other Multiple Dose Data and References
Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
intraperitoneal/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 60 mg/kg/30D- intermittent | Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Catecholamine levels in CNS Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Dopamine at other sites | FCTOD7 38,51,2000 |
intraperitoneal/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 500 mg/kg/10D- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Spinal Cord: Other degenerative changes Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis | VCVN1* -,343,1988 |
intraperitoneal/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 105 mg/kg/6W- intermittent | Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold | FCTOD7 66,203,2014 |
oral/rabbit | lowest published toxic dose: 336 mg/kg/4W- continuous | Behavioral: Food intake (animal) Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in both tubules and glomeruli Liver: Hepatitis (hepatocellular necrosis), diffuse | FCTOD7 41,463,2003 |
oral/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 837 mg/kg/13W- continuous | Endocrine: Androgenic | NTPTR* NIH-94-3386 |
skin/rabbit | lowest published toxic dose: 5.1 mg/kg/3D- intermittent | Skin: After topical application: Cutaneous sensitization (experimental) | VDVEAV (7),76,1978 |
skin/rabbit | lowest published toxic dose: 5.1 mg/kg/7D- intermittent | Immunological Including Allergic: Hypersensitivity delayed (multiple organ involvement) | VDVEAV (7),76,1978 |
subcutaneous/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 12 mg/kg/3D- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase | VCVN1* -,343,1988 |
Reviews
Organization | Standard | Reference |
---|---|---|
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 (skin) | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | GVOGAV 47,383,1978 | |
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 539,77,2003 | |
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | ENTOX* -,698,2005 | |
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | NBREV* 5,1,1981 | |
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TOLED5 198,297,2010 |
Standards and Regulations
Organization | Standard | Reference |
---|---|---|
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATION | FEREAC 54,7740,1989 | |
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDES | RED Completed | RBREV* -,257,1998 |
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV; | ||
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV | ||
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, JUL2008 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM | short term exposure limit 5 mg/m3, Skin, MAR2002 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK | ceiling concentration 5 mg(CN)/m3, skin, MAY2011 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE | CME 5 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, FEB2006 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY | MAK 2 mg(CN)/m3, inhal, 2011 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, short term exposure limit 20 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, SEP2000 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND | short term exposure limit 5 mg/m3, skin, NOV2011 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN | ceiling concentration 5 mg(CN)/m3, skin, MAY2012 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, skin, 2006 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA | time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, 2006 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, 2004 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, skin, JAN2002 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU | short term exposure limit 5 mg/m3, JUL2005 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND | time-weighted average 0.3 mg(CN)/m3, CEILING 10 mg(CN)/m3, JAN1999 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN | ceiling concentration 5 mg (CN)/m3, Skin, JUN2005 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND | ceiling concentration 3.8 mg/m3, inhal, skin, JAN2011 | |
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM | time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, skin, OCT2007 | |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction) | 8H time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 | CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994 |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) | 8H time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 | CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994 |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry) | 8H time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 | CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994 |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) | 8H time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 | CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993 |
NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance
Organization | Standard | Reference |
---|---|---|
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CYANIDE-air | ceiling concentration 4.7 ppm(CN)/10M | NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992 |
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 | Hazard Code 68950; Number of Industries 74; Total Number of Facilities 4423; Number of Occupations 63; Total Number of Employees Exposed 66484; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 15327 | |
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 | Hazard Code 68950; Number of Industries 68; Total Number of Facilities 3285; Number of Occupations 41; Total Number of Employees Exposed 27329 |
Status in Federal Agencies
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018
Content
source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health