Common Name: Sodium Cyanide CAS Number: 143-33-9 DOT Number: UN 1689 Date: February 1, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Sodium Cyanide can affect you when breathed and by passing through skin. * Exposure can cause sudden death. First symptoms may be irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headache, and pounding of the heart. These can progress to death rapidly. * Contact can irritate the skin. * Repeated lower exposures can cause mild, chronic poisoning with symptoms of nosebleeds, headache, fast heart beat and nausea. * Sodium Cyanide may cause the thyroid gland to enlarge. * Exposure can damage the nervous system and may change the blood cell count. IDENTIFICATION Sodium Cyanide is a white powder (like salt). It is used as a solid or solution to extract metal ores, and in electroplating or metal cleaning baths, metal hardening and insecticides. REASON FOR CITATION * Sodium Cyanide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DEP and EPA. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. ----------------------------------------- * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS * The following exposure limits are for Cyanides, measured as Cyanide: OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded during any 10 minute period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 5 mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour workshift. * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Sodium Cyanide and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Sodium Cyanide to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Sodium Cyanide: * High exposure can cause sudden death without warning. Somewhat lower exposure can cause irritation of the nose and throat, headache, dizziness, and pounding heartbeat. This can progress to SUDDEN DEATH unless exposure is immediately stopped and immediate proper first aid is provided. * Contact can irritate the skin. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Sodium Cyanide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Sodium Cyanide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Sodium Cyanide is a teratogen in animals. Until further testing has been done, it should be treated as a possible teratogen in humans. Other Long-Term Effects * Contact can lead to a skin rash. * Sodium Cyanide may cause the thyroid gland to enlarge and interfere with normal thyroid function. * Damage to the nervous system can result from a severe exposure and possibly lower repeated exposures. * Repeated exposure can irritate the nose, causing discharge, nosebleeds, and sores inside the nose. * Sodium Cyanide may cause changes in the blood cell count. MEDICAL Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Urine thiocyanate levels. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Blood cyanide level. * Complete blood count. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Since cigarette smoke also contains some cyanide, smokers may have somewhat higher blood cyanide and urine thiocyanate levels. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Sodium Cyanide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts #77-108. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Sodium Cyanide should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Sodium Cyanide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Sodium Cyanide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Sodium Cyanide is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for clean-up of solid or powder Sodium Cyanide. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Sodium Cyanide. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. * Clothes must prevent skin exposure because the vapors of Sodium Cyanide are dangerously toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. Eye Protection * Wear splash-proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Sodium Cyanide, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. * Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Sodium Cyanide does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 5 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. * Exposure to 50 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 50 mg/m3 exists use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Sodium Cyanide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Sodium Cyanide must be stored to avoid contact with ACID (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC, and NITRIC) and OXIDIZERS (such as PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES, CHLORATES, and NITRATES) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area. Common Name: Sodium Cyanide DOT Number: UN 1689 DOT Emergency Guide code: 55 CAS Number: 143-33-9 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 0 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- USE WATER ONLY FOR FIRES POISONOUS FLAMMABLE GAS IS PRODUCED ON CONTACT WITH ACID ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Use water only. Do not use chemical or CO2 extinguishers. * POISONOUS FLAMMABLE GAS IS PRODUCED ON CONTACT WITH ACID. * Flammable gas is produced on contact with acid. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Sodium Cyanide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate the area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Sodium Cyanide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ====================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ====================================== FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. Antidotes and Special Procedures * Use Amyl Nitrate capsules if symptoms develop. * All area employees should be trained regularly in emergency measures for cyanide poisoning and in CPR. * A cyanide antidote kit must be rapidly available and ingredients replaced every 1-2 years to ensure freshness. Medical personnel trained in treatment of cyanide poisoning should be quickly available. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0 mm Hg at 70oF (21.1oC) Water Solubility: Highly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Sodium Cyanide Other Names and Formulations: Cyanide of Sodium; Cymag; Hydrocyanic Acid; Sodium Salt. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Compounds containing the cyanide group are used and readily formed in many industrial processes and can be found in a variety of effluents, such as those from the steel, petroleum, plastics, synthetic fibers, metal plating, mining, and chemical industries. It is generally accepted that "free cyanide" is the toxic form and its formation is mainly dependent upon water temperature and pH. Conditions in most natural waters are right to produce the toxic "free cyanide" form. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Cyanides have high acute toxicity to aquatic life and to birds and animals. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the acute toxicity of cyanides to terrestrial plants. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Cyanides are considered to have high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the chronic toxicity of cyanides to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Water solubility data are not available for cyanides. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Cyanides are non-persistent in water with a half-life of less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of cyanides found in fish tissues is expected to be about the same as the average concentration of cyanides in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.