Sodium cyanide - Evonik Industries

Technical information
GPS Safety Summary
Sodium cyanide
Substance name
Sodium cyanide
CAS-No. 143-33-9
General statement
Consumer risk and exposure is very unlikely as this substance is
manufactured and handled in industrial settings.
The environmental effects, ecotoxicology and toxicology information
available for this chemical is provided based on studies and/or a reliable
evaluation of its hazardous properties. See Health and Environmental
Effects.
This chemical should not enter surface water, groundwater and soil.
General and substance specific operational conditions and risk management
measures are in place preventing exposure of workers and release to the
environment.
Chemical identity
Product names Sodium cyanide
Chemical name (IUPAC) Sodium cyanide
CAS number 143-33-9
EC number 205-599-4
Synonyms / Formula NaCN
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Uses and application
Sodium cyanide is used primarily as starting material in the manufacture of
other chemicals. The substance is used for extraction and recycling of
precious metals, as a processing aid in electroplating and as a surface
treatment agent in metal hardening.
Physical/chemical properties
Sodium cyanide is a white crystalline solid with a faint bitter-almond like
odour. The solid has a density higher than water. The melting point of this
substance is 562 °C and the boiling point 1500 °C. Alkali cyanide salts are
soluble in water liberating HCN unless pH is strongly alkaline.
Property Value
Density 1.595 g/cm3 (20°C)
Melting / Boiling point 562°C / 1500°C
Molecular weight 49.0072 g/mol
Health effects
Based on available data, Sodium cyanide is fatal if swallowed, inhaled and
absorbed through the skin. Standard tests indicate the substance is not
mutagenic or genotoxic. Data shows no evidence of reproductive toxicity or
carcinogenicity.
Effect Assessment Result
Acute toxicity (oral, dermal Fatal if swallowed, inhaled and
and inhalation)
absorbed through the skin.
Eye / Skin irritation Due to the acute toxicity the irritative
effect on the eye and skin cannot be
determined.
Sensitization Due to the acute toxicity the sensitizing
potential cannot be determined.
Toxicity after repeated
Acutely toxic effects are predominant
exposure
via oral, dermal and inhalative route.
Repeated exposure is correlated with
thyroid enlargement.
Genotoxicity / mutagenicity Not mutagenic / not genotoxic
Carcinogenicity No evidence that the material is
carcinogenic based on available data.
Toxicity for reproduction No evidence that the material is a
reproductive toxin based on available
data.
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Environmental effects
Based on available data, Sodium cyanide is considered very toxic to the
environment. The substance is readily biodegradable and no
bioaccumulation is expected. Cyanide is a naturally occurring substance
produced by certain plants, algae and bacteria.
Effect Assessment Result
Aquatic toxicity Very toxic to water organisms
Fate and Behavior Result
Biodegradation Readily biodegradable
Bioaccumulation potential No bioaccumulation potential
PBT / vPvB conclusion Not considered to be either PBT or vPvB
Exposure
Human health
Consumers will not come into contact with Sodium cyanide since there are no
known consumer uses for Sodium cyanide. It is industrially manufactured in a
closed process. Personnel exposure to Sodium cyanide in the manufacturing
facilities is minimized by general and substance specific operational
conditions and risk management measures. When containers and tanks are
cleaned, residues are captured and detoxified. Storage and manufacturing
facilities are built to safely handle Sodium cyanide and precautions are taken
to capture any unintended releases. All workers are trained in the properties
of Sodium cyanide and safe practices including using personal protective
equipment.
Environment
Sodium cyanide is manufactured in a closed and automated process, thus, no
release to the environment is intended.
Risk management recommendations
When handling Sodium cyanide, follow specific operational instructions in
place. Make sure that there is adequate ventilation. Always use appropriate
chemical resistant gloves to protect your hands and skin and always wear eye
protection such as chemical goggles. Provide a safety shower and a
respirator with appropriate filter to be available for immediate use. Do not
eat, drink, and smoke where the substance is handled, processed or stored.
All wastewater streams that may include the substance must be directed to a
wastewater treatment plant that removes the substance from the final
releases to the receiving water. Dispose of the substance and its container
only at hazardous or special waste collection points.
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State agency review
• NIOSH (1976). Occupational exposure to hydrogen cyanide and
cyanide salts (NaCN, KCN and Ca(CN)2). Criteria for a recommended
standard. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati,
Ohio, USA [NTS PB 266230]. Report no.: 77-108.
• Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (2005).
Recommendations from Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure
Limits for Cyanide (HCN, KCN, NaCN). SCOEL/SUM/115 May 2005. Report
no.: 115.
• WHO (1993). Cyanogenic Glycosides. WHO Food Additives Series,
Report no. 30.
• U.S. National Advisory Committee (NAC) to develop AEGLs (2000).
Hydrogen cyanide, proposed acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs).
Unpublished report proposed January, 2000. National Advisory Committee to
develop AEGLs. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC, USA.
• U.S. Water Environment Research Foundation (2003). Reassessment
of cyanide criteria for the protection of aquatic life and wildlife, Alexandria,
VA, USA, Report 01-ECO-1.
also see
• ECETOC (2007). Cyanides of Hydrogen, Sodium and Potassium, and
Aceton Cyanohydrin (CAS No. 74-90-8, 143-33-9, 151-50-8 and 75-86-5).
Joint Assessment of Commodity Chemicals (JACC), Report no.: 53.
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Regulatory information/classification and labelling
GHS-Labeling
Statutory basis EU-GHS as per Regulation (EU) No. 1272/2008 (CLP)
Symbol(s)
Signal word Danger
Hazard Statements H290: May be corrosive to metals.
H300: Fatal if swallowed.
H310: Fatal in contact with skin.
H330: Fatal if inhaled.
H370: Causes damage to organs.
H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or
repeated exposure.
H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
More information about Sodium cyanide can be found in the
Safety Data Sheet.
Precautionary statements P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye
protection/face protection.
P301+P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON
CENTER or doctor/physician.
P302+P352: IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P304+P340: IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep
at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P403+P233: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container
tightly closed.
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This GPS Safety Summary is based on Evonik’s present knowledge and experience as of the date of
issue. However, it implies no liability or other legal responsibility on the part of Evonik, including
with regards to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent rights. In no event
shall Evonik be responsible for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or
reliance upon the information herein or the chemical to which that information refers. In particular,
no warranty, whether expressed or implied, or guarantee in the legal sense is intended or implied
by Evonik.
This GPS Safety Summary is only intended to provide general information about the chemical
referred to herein but not any in-depth health and safety information. The information in this GPS
Safety Summary is supplied on the condition that the persons receiving the same will make their
own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use. This GPS Safety Summary
does not supersede or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents.
Performance of the chemical described herein should be verified by testing which should be carried
out only by qualified experts.
Evonik reserves the right to make any changes to this GPS Safety Summary in accordance with
technological progress or further developments. Reference to trade names used by other
companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply, that similar products could not be used.
Glossary
Acute toxicity harmful effects after a single exposure
Biodegradable breakdown of materials by a physiological environment
Bioaccumulation accumulation of substances in the environment
Carcinogenicity effects causing cancer
Chronic toxicity harmful effects after repeated exposures
GHS Global Harmonized System on Classification and Labeling
Mutagenicity effects that change genes
PBT Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic
Reprotoxicity combining teratogenicity, embryotoxicity and harmful effects on fertility
Sensitizing allergenic
Teratogenic effects on foetal morphology
vPvB very Persistent very Bioaccumulative
Contact information within company
Email address EU FA-MSDS@evonik.com
USA product.regulatory.services@evonik.com
Emergency Telephone number EU +49 (0)2236 76-2222
USA 800 424-9300 (CHEMTREC)
Emergency Telefax number EU +49 (0)2236 76-2026
December 2012