Cyanogen (C2N2)

RTECS #
GT1925000
CAS #
460-19-5
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
52.04
Molecular Formula
C2N2
Synonyms
Carbon nitride
Cyanogen
Cyanogen (ACGIH:OSHA)
Cyanogene (French)
Dicyan
Dicyanogen
Ethanedinitrile (9CI)
Nitriloacetonitrile
Oxalic acid dinitrile
Oxalic nitrile
Oxalonitrile
Oxalyl cyanide
RCRA waste number P031

Skin and Eye Irritation and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
eye /human 16 ppm/6MAIHAAP 21,121,1960

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 16 ppmEye: Conjunctiva irritation

Olfaction: Change in olfactory nerve
AIHAAP 21,121,1960
inhalation/rat lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 350 ppm/1HLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction

Eye: Lacrimation

Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)
AIHAAP 21,121,1960
subcutaneous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 15 mg/kgAIPTAK 3,77,1897
subcutaneous/frog lowest published lethal dose: 43 mg/kgAIPTAK 3,77,1897
subcutaneous/pigeon lowest published lethal dose: 9 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure thresholdAIPTAK 3,77,1897
subcutaneous/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 13 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure thresholdAIPTAK 3,77,1897

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 25 ppm/6H/26W- intermittentNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gainJEPOEC 5(4/5),151,1984

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 10 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,661,1996

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARDair time-weighted average 10 ppmDTLWS* 3,14,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypttime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (21 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 10 ppm (22 mg/m3);KZW 50 ppm (110 mg/m3), skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 10 ppm (21 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDshort term exposure limit 10 ppm (22 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 2 ppm (4 mg/m3), VLE 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 5 ppm (11 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 10 ppm (20 mg/m3), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 10 ppm (21 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 10 ppm (22 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 10 ppm (21 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 5 ppm (11 mg/m3), KZG-week 10 ppm (22 mg/m3), skin, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 20 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 10 ppmCFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 10 ppmCFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CYANOGEN-air10H time-weighted average 10 ppmNIOSH* DHHS #95-121,1995

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/98/101207/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
On EPA IRIS database
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018