Sodium cyanide

RTECS #

VZ7525000

CAS #

143-33-9; 13998-03-3
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

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)

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

Organization	Reference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/98/101207/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA Section 8(e) Risk Notification, 8EHQ-0693-9229
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NTP Toxicity studies, RPT# TOX-37, October 2000
On EPA IRIS database

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health