Hydrogen cyanide may polymerize at 122-140 ☏ (NIOSH 2005). Hydrogen cyanide reacts with amines, oxidizers, acids, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, caustic substances, and ammonia. Vapor pressure: 630 mm Hg at 68 ☏ (20 ☌)įlammability: Flammable at temperatures >0 ☏ (-18 ☌)įlammable range: 5.6-40% (concentration in air) (ATSDR 2006) Incompatibilities Specific gravity (liquid): 0.69 (water = 1) Warning properties: Almond odor inadequate warning because rapid olfactory fatigue can occur and 20-40% of the general population cannot smell hydrogen cyanide.īoiling point (760 mm Hg): 78 ☏ (25.6 ☌) Physical Propertiesĭescription: Colorless gas or colorless or pale-blue liquid OSHA PEL (permissible exposure limit) (ceiling) = 10 ppm (skin) (averaged over 15 minutes) (OSHA 1999)ĮPA AEGL-1 (Acute Exposure Guideline Level-1) = 2.5 ppm (10-minute) to 1 ppm (8-hour) (EPA 2007). Hydrogen cyanide may also be found in cigarette smoke (ATSDR 2006 HSDB 2007). It also is used as an intermediate in chemical syntheses (Hartung 1994). Hydrogen cyanide is used in fumigating electroplating mining and in producing synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes, and pesticides.
Hydrogen cyanide gas is a by-product of coke-oven and blast-furnace operations (ATSDR 2006 Hartung 1994). It is also produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of nitriles and related chemicals. It may be generated by treating cyanide salts with acid, and it is a combustion by-product of nitrogen-containing materials such as wool, silk, and plastics. Hydrogen cyanide is manufactured by oxidation of ammonia- methane mixtures under controlled conditions and by the catalytic decomposition of formamide. Treatment of ingested cyanide salts is similar to treatment of oral hydrogen cyanide poisoning because cyanide salts form hydrogen cyanide in acidic conditions. Ingestion of hydrogen cyanide solutions or cyanide salts can be rapidly fatal (ATSDR 2006).
#ANTIDOTE FOR CYANIDE POISONING COST SKIN#
Most cases of toxicity from dermal exposure have been from industrial accidents involving partial immersion in liquid cyanide or cyanide solutions or from contact with molten cyanide salts, resulting in large surface-area burns (ATSDR 2006).Ĭhildren are more vulnerable to toxicants absorbed through the skin because of their relatively larger surface area:body weight ratio. After skin exposure, onset of symptoms may be immediate or delayed for 30-60 minutes. More importantly, skin or eye absorption is rapid and contributes to systemic poisoning. Skin/Eye ContactĮxposure to hydrogen cyanide can cause skin and eye irritation. Hydrogen cyanide is lighter than air (HSDB 2007).Ĭhildren exposed to the same levels of hydrogen cyanide as adults may receive larger doses because they have greater lung surface area:body weight ratios and increased minute volumes:weight ratios. Perception of the odor is a genetic trait (20-40% of the general population cannot detect hydrogen cyanide) also, rapid olfactory fatigue can occur. The odor of hydrogen cyanide is detectable at 2-10 ppm (OSHA PEL = 10 ppm), but does not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. Hydrogen cyanide is readily absorbed from the lungs symptoms of poisoning begin within seconds to minutes.
It is soluble in water and is often used as a 96% aqueous solution (NIOSH 2005). Hydrogen cyanide has a faint, bitter almond odor and a bitter, burning taste.
The vapor is flammable and potentially explosive. Hydrogen cyanide is very volatile, producing potentially lethal concentrations at room temperature. Exposure by any route may cause systemic effects.Īt temperatures below 78 ☏, hydrogen cyanide is a colorless or pale-blue liquid (hydrocyanic acid) at higher temperatures, it is a colorless gas. Substantial absorption can occur through intact skin if vapor concentration is high or with direct contact with solutions, especially at high ambient temperatures and relative humidity.
Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Cyanide
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