Sodium cyanide - Evonik Industries

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.
Evonik Industries GmbH | GPS Safety Summary| December 2012 | Version 2 |page 2/6