### This report contains the collective views of an international group of experts and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organiza tion, or the World Health Organization.



## Concise International Chemic al Assessment Document 61



# HYDROGEN CYANIDE AND CYANIDES:

HUMAN HEALTH ASPECTS

Please note that the layout and pagination of this pdf file are not identical to the version in press

First draft prepared by Prof. Fina Petrova Simeonova, Consultant, National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria; a nd Dr Lawrence Fishbein, Fairfax, Virginia, USA

Published under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organization, and the World Health Organization, and produced within the framework of the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals.

World Health Organization Geneva, 2004

### The International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) , established in 1980, is a joint venture of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Health Organization (WHO). The overall objectives of the IPCS are to establish the scientific basis

for assessment of the risk to human health and the environment from exposure to chemicals, through international peer review processes, as a prerequisite for the promotion of chemical safety, and to provide technical assistance in strengthening national capac ities for the sound management of chemicals.

The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) was established in 1995 by UNEP, ILO, the Food and Agricu lture Organization of the United Nations, WHO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Participating Organizations), following recommendations made by the 1992 UN C onference on Environment and Development to strengthen cooperation and increase coordination in the fi eld of chemical safety. The purpose of the IOMC is to promote coordination of the policies and activities pursued by the Participating Organizations, jointly or separately, to achieve the sound management of chemicals in relation to human health and the environment.

WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides : human health aspects.

(Concise international chemical assessment document ; 61)

1.Cyanides - adverse effects 2.Hydrogen cyanide - adverse effects 3.Risk assessment 4.Environmental exposure I. International Programme on Ch emical Safety II.Series

ISBN 92 4 153061 8 (LC/NLM Classification: QV 632)

ISSN 1020-6167

©World Health Organization 2004

All rights reserved. Publications of the World Hea lth Organization can be obtained from Marketing and Dissemination, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel: +41 22 791 2476; fax: +41 22 791 4857; email: bookorders@w ho.int). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications — whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution — should be addressed to Publications, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; email: permissions@who.int). The designations employed and the presentation of th e material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full

agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain ma nufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, th e names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. The World Health Organization does not warrant that the information contained in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use.

Risk assessment activities of the International Pr ogramme on Chemical Safety, including the production of Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents, are supported financially by the Department of Health and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, UK, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, USA, European Commission, German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Health Canada, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welf are, and the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape.

Technically and linguistically edited by Marla She ffer, Ottawa, Canada, and printed by Wissenchaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart, GermanyConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61



### ii i 

### TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD ...................................................................................................................... ................................1

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... .....................4

2. IDENTITY AND PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL PROPERTIES............................................................................6

3. ANALYTICAL METHODS ......................................................................................................... .....................8

4. SOURCES OF HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE................................................................9

4.1 Natural occurrence....................................................................................................... ............................9 4.2 Anthropogenic sources .................................................................................................... ........................9

4.2.1 Production ............................................................................................................ .........................9

4.2.2 Use................................................................................................................... ..............................9

4.2.3 Release to the environment............................................................................................ .............10

5. ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS AND HUMAN EXPOSURE .......................................................................11

5.1 Environmental levels ..................................................................................................... ........................11

5.1.1 Air................................................................................................................... .............................11

5.1.2 Water ...........................................................................................................................................12

5.1.3 Soil ..............................................................................................................................................12

5.1.4 Food.............................................................................................................................................12

5.1.5 Other............................................................................................................................................13 5.2 Human exposure ........................................................................................................... .........................13 5.2.1 General population.................................................................................................... ..................13 5.2.2 Occupational exposure................................................................................................. ...............14

6. COMPARATIVE KINETICS AND METABOLISM IN LABORATORY ANIMALS AND

HUMANS ........................................................................................................................ .................................14

6.1 Absorption............................................................................................................... ...............................14

6.2 Distribution ............................................................................................................. ...............................15

6.3 Metabolism and excretion................................................................................................. .....................15 6.4 Biological monitoring.................................................................................................... ........................17

7. EFFECTS ON LABORATORY MAMMALS AND IN VITRO TEST SYSTEMS ......................................17

7.1 Single exposure.......................................................................................................... ............................17 7.2 Short-term exposure...................................................................................................... .........................19

7.2.1 Oral.................................................................................................................. ............................19

7.2.2 Inhalation ............................................................................................................ ........................19 7.2.2.1 Hydrogen cyanide .................................................................................................. ......19 7.2.2.2 Acetone cyanohydrin ............................................................................................... ....19 7.3 Medium-term exposure..................................................................................................... .....................19

7.3.1 Oral.................................................................................................................. ............................19

7.3.2 Inhalation .............................................................................................................. ......................21 7.3.2.1 Cyanogen.......................................................................................................... ............21 7.3.2.2 Acetone cyanohydrin ............................................................................................... ....21 7.4 Long-term exposure....................................................................................................... ........................22 7.5 Genotoxicity and related end-points...................................................................................... ................22 7.6 Reproductive and developmental toxicity.............................................................................................23

### i v 7.6.1 Effects on fertility .................................................................................................. .....................23 7.6.2 Developmental toxicity................................................................................................ ...............23 7.7 Neurotoxicity ............................................................................................................ .............................24

7.8 Irritation and sensitization ............................................................................................. ........................25

7.9 Mode of action ........................................................................................................... ............................25

8. EFFECTS ON HUMANS ........................................................................................................... .....................25

8.1 General population....................................................................................................... ..........................25 8.1.1 Exposure to cyanides .................................................................................................. ................25 8.1.2 Food containing cyanogenic glycosides................................................................................. ....27 8.2 Occupational exposure.................................................................................................... .......................28

9. HEALTH EFFECTS EVALUATION ................................................................................................... ..........30

9.1 Hazard identification and dose–response assessment....................................................................... ....30 9.2 Criteria for setting tolerable intakes/concentrations for cyanides ....................................................... .31 9.3 Sample risk characterization............................................................................................. .....................32

9.4 Uncertainties in the hazard characterization ............................................................................. ............32

10. PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS BY INTERNATIONAL BODIES.................................................................32

REFERENCES..................................................................................................................... ....................................33

APPENDIX 1 — SOURCE DOCUMENTS.................................................................................................. .........41

APPENDIX 2 — CICAD PEER REVIEW................................................................................................. ............42

APPENDIX 3 — 10TH FINAL REVIEW BOARD ........................................................................................... ...43

APPENDIX 4 — 11TH FINAL REVIEW BOARD ........................................................................................... ...44

APPENDIX 5 — ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................45

INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL SAFETY CARDS ............................................................................................ 46

RÉSUMÉ D’ORIENTATION........................................................................................................... ......................62

RESUMEN DE ORIENTACIÓN......................................................................................................... ...................65Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

1 

### FOREWORD

Concise International Chemical Assessment Documents (CICADs) are the latest in a family of publications from the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) — a cooperative programme of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). CICADs join the Environmental Health Criteria documents (EHCs) as

authoritative documents on the risk assessment of

chemicals.

International Chemical Safety Cards on the relevant chemical(s) are attached at the end of the CICAD, to provide the reader with concise information on the protection of human health and on emergency action. They are produced in a separate peer-reviewed procedure at IPCS. They may be complemented by information from IPCS Poison Information Monographs (PIM), similarly produced separately from the CICAD

process.

CICADs are concise documents that provide summaries of the relevant scientific information concerning the potential effects of chemicals upon human health and/or the environment. They are usually based on selected national or regional evaluation documents or on existing EHCs. Before acceptance for publication as CICADs by IPCS, these documents undergo extensive peer review by internationally selected experts to ensure their completeness, accuracy in the way in which the original data are represented, and the validity of the

conclusions drawn.

The primary objective of CICADs is characterization of hazard and dose–response from exposure to a chemical. CICADs are not a summary of all available data on a particular chemical; rather, they include only

that information considered critical for characterization of the risk posed by the chemical. The critical studies are, however, presented in sufficient detail to support the conclusions drawn. For additional information, the

reader should consult the identified source documents upon which the CICAD has been based.

Risks to human health and the environment will vary considerably depending upon the type and extent ofexposure. Responsible authorities are strongly encouraged to characterize risk on the basis of locally measured or predicted exposure scenarios. To assist the reader,examples of exposure estimation and risk characterization are provided in CICADs, whenever possible. These examples cannot be considered as representing all possible exposure situations, but are provided as guidance only. The reader is referred to EHC 170. 1

While every effort is made to ensure that CICADsrepresent the current status of knowledge, new information is being developed constantly. Unless otherwise stated, CICADs are based on a search of the scientific literature to the date shown in the executive summary. In

the event that a reader becomes aware of new information that would change the conclusions drawn in a CICAD, the reader is requested to contact IPCS to

inform it of the new information.

Procedures

The flow chart on page 2 shows the procedures followed to produce a CICAD. These procedures are designed to take advantage of the expertise that exists around the world — expertise that is required to produce the high-quality evaluations of toxicologica l, exposure, and other data that are necessary for assessing risks to

human health and/or the environment. The IPCS Risk Assessment Steering Group advises the Coordinator, IPCS, on the selection of chemicals for an IPCS risk assessment based on the following criteria:

• there is the probability of exposure; and/or

• there is significant toxicity/ecotoxicity.

Thus, it is typical of a priority chemical that

• it is of transboundary concern;

• it is of concern to a range of countries (developed, developing, and those with economies in transition) for possible risk management;

• there is significant international trade;

• it has high production volume;

• it has dispersive use.

The Steering Group will also advise IPCS on the appropriate form of the document (i.e., a standard CICAD or a

de novo CICAD) and which institution bears the responsibility of the document production, as well as on the type and extent of the international peer review.

The first draft is usually based on an existing national, regional, or international review. When no appropriate source document is available, a CICAD may be produced de novo. Authors of the first draft are usually, but not necessarily, from the institution that developed the original review. A standard outline has been developed to encourage consistency in form. The

1 International Programme on Chemical Safety (1994) Assessing human health risks of chemicals: derivation of guidance values for health-based exposure limits. Geneva, World Health Organization (Environmental Health Criteria 170) (also available at http://www.who.int/pcs/).

### Co n c ise In tern atio n a l Ch e m ical Ass e s s m en t Do cu me n t 61



## CICAD PREPARATI O N FLOW CHART

Select ion o f priori ty

che m ical, author

instit uti on, and agree m en t

on CIC AD fo rm a t

Prepa r ation of first draft

Pri m a r y acceptance

review b y IPC S and

revisi ons as necessary

Select ion o f re view

process

Peer re view

Review of the comm e n ts

and revis i on o f the

docu m ent

Fina l Review Board : Veri ficati on o f revisio n s due to peer review

co mm e n ts, rev i sion, and

appro v al o f the docu m e n t

Edi tin g

App r oval b y C oord i nat o r,
IPC S

Pub licat ion o f CICA D on web and as pri n ted tex t Advice from Ris k Assessment

Steering Group

Crite ria o f pri o rity :

• there is the p r o b abil ity o f exp o sure; an d/o r

• there is sign ifi cant tox i city /ec o tox i cit y

.

Thus, it is ty pi cal of a p r io r ity ch em i cal th at

• it is of tra n sbo undary conce r n;

• it is of conce r n to a range of c ount ries (devel oped, de velop i ng, and t hose with

econo m i es in transition) for possible ris k

m a nage m e nt ;

• there is sign ifi cant inte rnat io nal trade ;

• the pro duct i on volu m e is hig h ;

• the use is dispe r sive.

Specia l e m pha sis is placed on avoiding dupl icatio n of effo rt by W H O and other

internati onal o r ganizati ons.

A usual pre r eq uisite o f the product i on o f a CICAD is the availability of a recent highquali ty nati ona l/reg iona l risk assess m e n t

docu m ent = source docu m ent. The source

docu m ent and the CICA D m a y be prod uced in paralle l. If the source doc u m e n t does not

contai n an envi ron m e n ta l secti on, this m a y be prod uced de n o vo , prov ided i t is not

controve rsial. If no sou r ce doc u m en t is
available, IPC S m a y p r od uce a de novo risk

assess m e n t doc u m en t if the co st is justified.

Depend ing o n the co m p lexi ty and extent o f

controve rsy of the issues invo lved, the steeri ng

grou p m a y ad v i se on differe n t levels of peer

review :

• standard IPCS Contact Poi n ts

• above + specia lized expe rts

• above + consul tative g r ou p

2Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

3 first draft undergoes primary review by IPCS to ensure that it meets the specified criteria for CICADs.

The second stage involves international peer review by scientists known for their particular expertise and by scientists selected from an international roster compiled by IPCS through recommendations from IPCS national Contact Points and from IPCS Participating Institutions. Adequate time is allowed for the selected experts to undertake a thorough review. Authors are required to

take reviewers’ comments into account and revise their draft, if necessary. The resulting second draft is submitted to a Final Review Board together with the reviewers’ comments. At any stage in the international review process, a consultative group may be necessary to address specific areas of the science. When a CICAD is prepared de novo , a consultative group is normally

convened.

The CICAD Final Review Board has several important functions:

• to ensure that each CICAD has been subjected to an appropriate and thorough peer review;

• to verify that the peer reviewers’ comments have been addressed appropriately;

• to provide guidance to those responsible for the preparation of CICADs on how to resolve any remaining issues if, in the opinion of the Board, the author has not adequately addressed all comments of the reviewers; and

• to approve CICADs as international assessments.

Board members serve in their personal capacity, not as representatives of any organization, government, or industry. They are selected because of their expertise in human and environmental toxicology or because of their experience in the regulation of chemicals. Boards are chosen according to the range of expertise required for ameeting and the need for balanced geographic representation.

Board members, authors, reviewers, consultants, and advisers who participate in the preparation of a CICAD are required to declare any real or potential conflict of interest in relation to the subjects under discussion at any stage of the process. Representatives of nongovernmental organizations may be invited to observe the proceedings of the Final Review Board. Observers may participate in Board discussions only at the invitation of the Chairperson, and they may not participate in the final decision-making process.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

4 

### 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This CICAD on hydrogen cyanide and cyanides (human health aspects) was prepared by Prof. Fina Petrova Simeonova and Dr Lawrence Fishbein, based principally on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry toxicological profile for cyanide (ATSDR, 1997) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives document on cyanogenic glycosides (JECFA, 1993). The source documents and a description of their review processes are presented in Appendix 1. A comprehensive literature search of several online databases was performed in October 2002 to identify any relevant references published subsequent

to those cited in the source documents. This CICAD was first discussed at the 10th Final Review Board meeting, held in Monks Wood, United Kingdom, on 16–19 September 2002. Following revision, it was discussed again and approved as an international assessment at the 11th Final Review Board meeting, held in Varna, Bulgaria, on 8–11 September 2003. Participants at the 10th and 11th Final Review Board meetings are listed in Appendices 2 and 3. The drafts discussed at these meetings were peer reviewed before the meetings; information on the peer review process is presented in Appendix 4. The International Chemical Safety Cards on hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, calcium cyanide, cyanogen, cyanogen chloride, acetone cyanohydrin, and potassium ferricyanide, produced by the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS, 1999a,b, 2000b, 2001, 2002a,b,c,d), have also been reproduced in this document.

Cyanides comprise a wide range of compounds of varying degrees of chemical complexity, all of which contain a CN moiety, to which humans are exposed in gas, liquid, and solid form from a broad range of natural and anthropogenic sources. While many chemical forms of cyanide are used in i ndustrial application or are present in the environment, the cyanide anion CN

– is the primary toxic agent, regardless of origin.

Hydrogen cyanide is a colourless or pale blue liquid or gas with a faint bitter almond-like odour. Hydrogen cyanide is used primarily in the production of substances such as adiponitrile, methyl methacrylate, chelatingagents, cyanuric chloride, methionine and its hydroxylated analogues, and sodium and potassium cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is also used as a fumigant in ships, railroad cars, large buildings, grain silos, and flour mills, as well as in the fumigation of peas and seeds in vacuum

chambers.

Other cyanides, such as sodium and potassium cyanide, are solid or crystalline hygroscopic salts widely used in ore extracting processes for the recovery of gold and silver, electroplating, case-hardening of steel, base metal flotation, metal degreasing, dyeing, printing, and photography. They are also widely used in the synthesis of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., nitriles, carboxylic acids, amides, esters, and amines; heavy metal cyanides) and in the production of chelating

agents.

Anthropogenic sources of cyanide release to the

environment are diverse. Releases to air include chemical manufacturing and proces sing industries, such as metallurgical industries and metal plating, and extraction of gold and silver from low-grade ores. Other sources include volatilization from cyanide wastes disposed of in landfills and waste ponds, emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators, biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion, including vehicle emissions, fumigation operations, and the production of coke or other coal carbonization procedures.

Hydrogen cyanide is formed during the incomplete combustion of nitrogen-containing polymers, such as certain plastics, polyurethanes, and wool. Hydrogen cyanide is present in cigarette smoke.

Non-point sources of cyanide released to water can result from runoff from cy anide-containing anti-cakingsalts used on roads, migration from landfills, and agricultural and atmospheric fallout and washout. Point sources of releases to water include discharges from gold mining plants, wastewater treatment works, iron and steel production, a nd organic chemical industries.

Principal natural sources of cyanides are over 2000 plant species, including fruits and vegetables, that contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide on hydrolysis when ingested. Among them, cassava (tapioca, manioc) and sorghum are staple foods for hundreds of millions of people in many tropical countries. Known cyanogenic glycosides in plants include amygdalin, linamarin, prunasin, dhurrin, lotaustralin, and taxiphyllin. Hydrogen cyanide is released into the atmosphere from natural biogenic processes from higher plants, bacteria, and fungi.

In air, cyanide is present as gaseous hydrogen cyanide, with a small amount present in fine dust particles. Cyanides have the potential to be transported over long distances from their respective emission

sources.

The majority of the populat ion is exposed to very low levels of cyanide in the general environment. There are, however, specific subgr oups with higher potential for exposure. These include individuals involved in large-scale processing of cassava and those consuming significant quantities of improperly prepared foods containing cyanogenic glycosides, such as cassava,Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects



### 5 speciality foods such as apricot pits, and bitter almonds. Other subgroups with greatest potential for exposure include those in the vicinity of accidental or intended releases from point sources, active and passive smokers,

and fire-related smoke inhalation victims.

Workers may be exposed to cyanides during fumigation operations and the production and use of cyanidesin many industrial processes — for example, electroplating, case-hardening of steel, and extraction of gold

and silver from ores.

Cyanides are well absorbed via the gastrointestinal tract or skin and rapidly absorbed via the respiratory tract. Once absorbed, cyanide is rapidly and ubiquitously distributed throughout the body, although the highest levels are typically found in the liver, lungs, blood, and brain. There is no accumulation of cyanide in the blood or tissues following chronic or repeated exposure.

Approximately 80% of absorbed cyanide is metabolized to thiocyanate in the liver by the mitochondrial sulfur transferase enzyme rhodanese and other sulfur transferases. Thiocyanate is excreted in the urine. Minor pathways for cyanide detoxification involve reactionwith cystine to produce aminothiazoline- and iminothiazolidinecarboxylic acids and combination with hydroxycobalamin (vitamin B 12a 

### ) to form cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12 

### ); these end-products are also excreted in the

urine.

The principal features of the toxicity profile forcyanide are its high acute toxicity by all routes of administration, with a very steep and rate-dependent dose– effect curve, and chronic toxicity, probably mediated through the main metabolite and detoxification product, thiocyanate. The toxic effects of cyanide ion in humans and animals are generally similar and are believed to result from inactivation of cytochrome oxidase andinhibition of cellular respiration and consequent histotoxic anoxia. The primary targets of cyanide toxicity in humans and animals are the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. The endocrine system isalso a potential target for long-term toxicity, as a function of continued exposure to thiocyanate, which prevents the uptake of iodine in the thyroid and acts as a goitrogenic agent.

In humans, whereas slight effects occur at exposure levels of 20–40 mg/m 3 

### , 50–60 mg/m 3 

### can be tolerated without immediate or late effects for 20 min to 1 h, 120– 150 mg/m 3 

### may lead to death after 0.5–1 h, 150 mg/m 3


### is likely to be fatal within 30 min, 200 mg/m 3 

### is likely fatal after 10 min, and 300 mg/m 3 

### is immediately fatal. The lowest reported oral lethal dose for humans is 0.54 mg/kg body weight, and the average absorbed dose at the time of death has been estimated at 1.4 mg/kg body weight (calculated as hydrogen cyanide). Sequelae after severe acute intoxications may include neuropsychiatric manifestations and Parkinson-type disease. Cyanide from tobacco smoke has been implicated as acontributing factor in tobacco–alcohol amblyopia. Longterm exposure to lower concentrations of cyanide in occupational settings can result in a variety of symptoms related to central nervous system effects.

Long-term consumption of cassava containing high levels of cyanogenic glycosides has been associated with tropical ataxic neuropathy, spastic paraparesis, and, inareas with low iodine intake, development of hypothyroidism, goitre, and cretinism. While exposure to cyanide has been crudely estimated to be 15–50 mg/day in endemic areas in some such cases, owing to the limitations of data on exposure and potential impact of confounders such as malnutrition, low protein content of the diet, vitamin deficiencies, and iodine status, the available data do not provide meaningful information on dose–response for cyanide.

Data on end-points other than acute toxicity are somewhat limited. This is attributable in large part to difficulties in conducting, for example, investigations of repeated-dose or chronic toxicity due to the high acute toxicity of the compound. Cyanides are weakly irritating to the skin and eye; data on sensitizing properties or carcinogenicity of hydrogen cyanide or its alkali salts have not been identified. Although somewhat limited, the weight of evidence of available data indicates thatcyanide is not genotoxic and that it induces developmental effects only at doses or concentrations that are overtly toxic to the mothers.

Available data in human populations are considered inadequate as a basis for characterization of dose– response for chronic ingestion of cyanide. In a 13-week repeated-dose toxicity study in which cyanide was administered in drinking-water, there were no clinical signs associated with central nervous system effects or histopathological effects in the brain or thyroid of rats or mice exposed to doses up to 12.5 mg and 26 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day, respectively. At 12.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day, there were slight changes in the reproductive tract in male rats, which, although they apparently would not affect fertility inrats, are possibly significant to humans. The noobserved-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for these effects was 4.5 mg/kg body weight per day. The examination ofneurotoxicity in this study was limited to clinical observation and optical microscopy in autopsy. The few available studies specifically intended to investigate neurotoxicity, while reporting adverse effects at exposure levels of 1.2 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day in rats and 0.48 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day in goats, suffer from weaknesses that preclude their quantitative

assessment.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

6 In relation to characterization of concentration– response for repeated-dose toxicity for inhalation (relevant principally to the occupational environment), in three separate studies in rats, there were no adverse systemic effects in rats exposed to acetone cyanohydrin, which is rapidly hydrolysed to hydrogen cyanide at physiological pH, at concentrations up to 211 mg/m 3
(corresponding to a concentration of 67 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 ). The steepness of the dose–effect curve is illustrated by the observati on of 30% mortality amongrats exposed part of the day to 225 mg acetone cyanohydrin/m 3 (71 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 ).

Adverse effects of exposure to the low concentrations of cyanide that are generally present in the general environment (<1 μg/m 3 in ambient air; <10 μg/litre in water) are unlikely. Acute cyanide intoxications may arise from eating apricot kernels, choke cherries, and other stone fruit kernels with high concentrations of cyanogenic glycosides. Inadequately prepared cassava, when constituting the major part of the diet, may be

hazardous.



### 2. IDENTITY AND PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a colourless or pale blue liquid or gas with a faint bitter almond-like odour. Common synonyms are hydrocyanic acid and prussic acid. Hydrogen cyanide is a very weak acid, with a p K

a value of 9.22 at 25 °C. It is soluble in water and alcohol. Hydrogen cyanide is commercially available as a gas or as a technical-grade liquid in concentrations of 5, 10, and 96–99.5%. Phosphoric acid is added to liquidhydrogen cyanide as a stabilizer to prevent decomposition and explosion (ATSDR, 1997). Some important physical and chemical properties of hydrogen cyanide

are summarized in Table 1.

The conversion factors 1 for hydrogen cyanide in air (at 20 °C and 101.3 kPa) are as follows:

1 ppm = 1.12 mg/m 3
1 mg/m 3 = 0.890 ppm

1 In keeping with WHO policy, which is to provide measurements in SI units, all concentrations of gaseous chemicals in air will be given in SI units in the CICAD series. Where the original study or source document has provided concentrations in SI units, these will be cited here. Where the original study or source document has provided concentrations in volumetric units, conversions will be done using the conversion factors given here, assuming a temperature of 20 °C and a pressure of 101.3 kPa. Conversions are to no more than two significant digits. Table 1: Physical and chemical properties of hydrogen cyanide (CAS No. 74-90-8). a

Property Value

Relative molecular mass 27.03

Boiling point (°C) 25.70

Solubility (30 °C) Miscible with water;

soluble in ethanol

Specific density: vapours (31 °C) 0.937

Odour threshold 0.7 mg/m 3 in air 0.17 mg/litre in water

Henry’s law constant (dimensionless) 180–300 b

Octanol/water partition coefficient (log K
ow ) 0.66

Vapour pressure (kPa) 35.2 at 0 °C
107.2 at 27.2 °C

a From ACGIH (2001); DECOS (2002).

b Hine & Weimar (1965); Edwards et al. (1978); Gaffney et al.

(1987).

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is a white hygroscopic crystalline powder with a fa int bitter almond-like odour.Common synonyms are cyanide of sodium and hydrocyanic acid, sodium. Commercially available sodium cyanide generally achieves a purity of 95–98%. The aqueous solution of sodium cyanide is strongly alkaline and rapidly decomposes. Sodium cyanide produces hydrogen cyanide on contact with acids or acid salts.

Potassium cyanide (KCN) is a white deliquescent solid with an odour of hydrogen cyanide. Common synonyms are hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt andcyanide of potassium. Potassium cyanide is commercially available at a 95% purity. An aqueous solution ofpotassium cyanide in water is strongly alkaline. Potassium cyanide also produces hydrogen cyanide on contact

with acids or acid salts.

Calcium cyanide (Ca(CN) 2 ), also commonly calledcyanide of calcium, calcid, or calsyan, is a white crystalline solid. Its aqueous solution gradually liberates hydrogen cyanide. Cyanides such as sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, and calcium cyanide form strong complexes with many metals (Table 2).

Cyanogen is a colourless toxic gas with an almondlike odour. Common synony ms are carbon nitrile, dicyanogen, ethane dinitrile, and oxalic acid dinitrile. Cyanogen is slowly hydrolysed in aqueous solution,yielding oxalic acid and ammonia. The conversion factors for cyanogen in air at 20 °C and 101.3 kPa are as

follows:

1 ppm = 2.16 mg/m 3
1 mg/m 3 = 0.462 ppmHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

7 Table 2: Physical and chemical properties of selected cyanide compounds. a

Species CAS

number Molecular
formula Relative

molecular mass Common synonym(s) Boiling point (°C) Solubility

Sodium cyanide 143-33-9 NaCN 49.02 Cyanide of sodium Soluble in water, slightly

soluble in alcohol

Potassium cyanide 151-50-8 KCN 65.11 Cyanide of potassium Soluble in water, slightly

soluble in alcohol

Calcium cyanide 592-01-8 Ca(CN) 2 92.12 Calcid; calsyan Soluble in water, slightly

soluble in alcohol

Copper cyanide 54-92-3 CuCN 89.56 Cupricin Insoluble in water

Potassium silver cyanide 501-61-6 KAg(CN) 2 198.01 Potassium dicyanoargentate Soluble in water, slightly

soluble in ether

Sodium ferrocyanide 13601-19-9 Na 4 Fe(CN) 6 303.91 Sodium hexacyanoferrate (II) Soluble in water

Potassium ferrocyanide 13943-57-3 K 4 Fe(CN) 6 368.35 Yellow prussiate of potash Soluble in water

Potassium ferricyanide 13746-66-2 K 3 Fe(CN) 6 329.95 Red prussiate of potash Slowly soluble in 2.5 parts of cold water; decomposes slowly in

water

Cyanogen 460-19-5 NCCN 52.04 Carbon nitrile; dicyanogen –20.7 Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether

Cyanogen

chloride 506-77-4 CNCl 61.47 Chlorine cyanide 13.8 Soluble in water and

alcohol

Acetone cyanohydrin 75-86-5 (CH 3 ) 2 C(OH)CN 85.10 ACH; methyllactonitrile 82 Soluble in water

Sodium nitroprusside 14402-89-2 Na 2 [Fe(CN) 5 NO] 261.97 Sodium nitroferrocyanide; sodiumnitrosyl pentacyanoferrate (III) Soluble in 2.3 parts of water, slightly soluble in

alcohol

a From Windholz (1983); ACGIH (2001); ECETOC (2004).

Cyanogen chloride is a colourless gas. Its common synonym is chlorine cyanide, and its common trade name is Caswell No. 267. Cyanogen chloride releases hydrogen cyanide by hydrolysis. Its conversion factors

in air are:

1 ppm = 2.56 mg/m 3
1 mg/m 3 = 0.391 ppm

Common synonyms of acetone cyanohydrin are ACH, 2-cyano-2-propanol, 2-methyllactonitrile, and 2- hydroxy-2-methyl propanenitril e. It dissociates on standing to liberate hydrogen cyanide. Its boiling point is 120 °C (with decomposition to hydrogen cyanide and acetone). Its conversion factors in air are:

1 ppm = 3.54 mg/m 3
1 mg/m 3 = 0.283 ppm

The half-time of ACH in water was reported to be 9 min (Ellington et al., 1986); further studies reported that this hydrolysis to acetone and hydrogen cyanide was pH dependent, and half-times of 58, 27, and 8 min were observed at pH 4.8, 6.3, and 6.8 (ICI, 1993). In a more recent study, similar findings were reported (half-times of 54.7, 31.2, 5.4, and 4.0 min at pH 6.00, 6.40, 6.86, and 7.00, respectively) (Frank et al., 2002).

Some chemical properties of other cyanides aregiven in Table 2. Copper cyanide is a white to creamcoloured solid. Its common name is cuprous cyanide, and its synonym is cupricin. Potassium silver cyanide occurs as white crystals; its common synonym is potassium dicyanoargentate. It is sensitive to light. Sodium ferrocyanide decomposes at 435 °C, forming sodium cyanide.

Cyanogenic glycosides are produced naturally by many plants; when hydrolysed, they produce hydrogencyanide. Chemical structures of some commonly occurring cyanogenic glycosides are depicted in Figure 1.

Further chemical and physical properties of hydrogen cyanide and some cyanides are summarized in the International Chemical Safety Cards included in this

document.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

8 Dhurrin (CAS No. 499-20-7) Linamarin (CAS No. 554-35-8)

Amygdalin (CAS No. 29883-15-6) Lotaustralin (CAS No. 534-67-8)

Prunasin (CAS No. 99-18-3) Taxiphyllin (CAS No. 21401-21-8)

Fig. 1: Cyanogenic glycosides in major edible plants (JECFA, 1993) Amygdalin occurs in (among others) almonds, dhurrin in sorghum, linamarin in cassava, lotaustralin in cassava and lima beans, prunasin in stone fruits, and taxiphyllin in bamboo shoots.



### 3. ANALYTICAL METHODS

Cyanides in environmental media are usually collected in sodium or potassium hydroxide solution and measured by spectrophotometry (Agrawal et al., 1991), colorimetry, or ion-specific electrode or by headspace gas chromatography with a nitrogen-specific detector or electron capture detector (Maseda et al., 1989; Seto et al, 1993). Cyanide in aqueous matrices is usually measuredby colorimetric, titrimetric (US EPA, 1983), or electrochemical methods after pretreatment to produce hydrogen cyanide and absorption in sodium hydroxide solution. Total cyanide (irrespective of origin) includesall of the available cyanide in a sample; in drinkingwater, it is measured by semi-automated colorimetry (EPA Method 335.4) as well as by selective electrode, ultraviolet/distillation/spectrophotometry, and ion chromatography (EPA Method 300.0) (US EPA, 1993a). Free cyanide can also be determined by one method (SM-4500-CN-F) approved for drinking-water compliance monitoring analysis that does not require distillation, the specific i on electrode method (US EPA, 2003a). Weak acid dissociable cyanide analysis (used principally by the precious metals mining industry) includes those cyanide species liberated at moderate pH 4.5, such as aqueous hydrogen cyanide and cyanide anion, the majority of copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, silver, and tin complexes, and others with similar low dissociation constants. Weak acid dissociable cyanide can be determined in wastewaters by a ligand exchange/flow injection/amperometric technique (EPA Method 1677) (Milosavlievic et al., 1995; US EPA, 1997).

A chromatographic technique with fluorescence detection is used to detect trace amounts of cyanide in blood cells (Chinaka et al., 1998). Cyanide in biological tissue and fluids can be measured spectrophotometrically after reaction with methaemoglobin.

Since many cyanides are unstable and emit volatile hydrogen cyanide gas, sampling, storage, and analysis must be done with caution, preferably immediately upon

collection.

The three commonly used techniques (colorimetric, titrimetric, and electrochemical) may all suffer from interference problems, unless proper precautions are taken (ATSDR, 1989). HO H CH 2 OH

H O

OH

H H

OH H O C H

CN OH O CH 2 OH

HO OH

OH H H H

H H O C

CN CH 3 CH 3

O O CH 2 OH

HO OH

OH H H H

H H CH 2

O

HO OH

OH H H H

H H O

CN CH
H

H H H

H

OH OH HO CH 2 OH

O

O C

CN CH 3

O O CH 2 OH

HO OH

OH H H H

H H CH

CN CN CH

H

H H H

H

OH OH HO CH 2 OH

O

O OHHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

9 Metals suppress the transformation of cyanide to formic acid, thus lowering the measured hydrogen cyanide concentration (Dolzine et al., 1982). Carbonyl compounds also decrease the hydrogen cyanide recovery (Honig et al., 1983), as in the case with soybean samples, in which carbonyl compounds occur naturally.

Sodium thiosulfate can interfere with potentiometric (Sylvester et al., 1982) or colorimetric analysis (Ganjeloo et al., 1980). Care should be taken, since it is often used as an antidote to treat chemical poisoning.

Continuous monitoring of cyanide is also available using equipment based on diffusion and amperometric detection of hydrogen cyanide (NIOSH, 1976).

Detection limits for th e different methods for hydrogen cyanide range from 0.8 to 400 mg/m 3 for air samples, from 0.04 to 200 μg/litre for aqueous samples, and from 0.8 to 300 μg/litre for biological samples. NIOSH Method 7904 for workplace air has a limit of detection of 2.5 μg cyanide (NIOSH, 1994).



### 4. SOURCES OF HUMAN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE

4.1 Natural occurrence

Hydrogen cyanide is ubiquitous in nature. It is found in the stratosphere and non-urban troposphere (US EPA, 1990). It is released into the atmosphere from biomass burning, volcanoes, and natural biogenic processes from higher plants, bacteria, algae, and fungi (Fiksel et al., 1981; Cicerone & Zellner, 1983; Way, 1984; ATSDR, 1997; Li et al., 2000). An estimate of the amount of cyanide released to the environment from natural biogenic processes is not available (ATSDR, 1997).

Cyanide occurs naturally as cyanogenic glycosides in at least 2000 plants (Figure 1). Amygdalin ( D -mandelonitrile- β

- D -glucoside-6- β

- D -glucoside) has been found in about 1000 species of plants, including cassava (tapioca, manioc), sweet potato, corn, cabbage, linseed, millet, and bamboo, in pits of stone fruits, such as cherries, peaches, and apricots, and in apple seeds (JECFA, 1993; Sharma, 1993; Padmaja, 1995). It is also present in bitter almonds and American white lima beans (Ermans et al., 1972). After ingestion, linamarin can behydrolysed by either cassava linamarase or an endogenous β -glucosidase to yield D -glucose and ACH (Frakes et al., 1986a). 4.2 Anthropogenic sources

4.2.1 Production

Hydrogen cyanide is principally produced by two synthetic catalytic processes involving the reaction of ammonia and natural gas (or methane) with or without air. It is also obtained as a by-product in the production of acrylonitrile by the ammoxidation of propylene, which accounts for approximately 30% of the worldwide production of hydrogen cyanide.

Sodium and potassium cyanides are principally prepared by the direct reaction of hydrogen cyanide with the respective alkali in closed systems (European Chemicals Bureau, 2000a,b). Sodium cyanide is also prepared to a lesser extent by melting sodium chloride with calcium cyanamide or by heating sodium amide salt

with carbon.

Calcium cyanide is produced by the reaction of coke, coal, and limestone.

Cyanogen chloride is a reaction product of organic precursors with hypochlorous acid in the presence of ammonia and may be formed as a by-product of the chloramination of water (WHO, 1996; IPCS, 2000a).

ACH was first produced in the 1930s as an intermediate in the production of methyl methacrylate from hydrogen cyanide. It is currently produced from the liquid-phase reaction of hydrogen cyanide and acetone in the presence of an alkali catalyst at atmospheric pressure (ECETOC, 2004).

Hydrogen cyanide capacity is generally treated as the sum of purposeful direct synthesis and that derived as a by-product of acrylonitrile production. Annual US hydrogen cyanide capacity by 11 companies in 1991 was 666 000 tonnes. US production of hydrogen cyanide

from 1983 to 1989 rose from 300 000 to 445 000 tonnes (Pesce, 1993). Output of hydrogen cyanide in the USAwas 545 000 tonnes in 1992 (Cohrssen, 2001). Worldwide annual production and capacity of hydrogen cyanide in 1992 were estimated to be 950 000 and 1 320 000 tonnes, respectively (Pesce, 1993; Cohrssen, 2001). It has been estimated that the present total annual production of hydrogen cyanide worldwide is 1.4 million tonnes (Mudder & Botz, 2000).

4.2.2 Use

In 1983, the major end uses of hydrogen cyanide in the USA were in the production of adiponitrile (200 000 tonnes), ACH (128 000 tonnes), cyanuric chloride (28 500 tonnes), sodium cyanide (69 000 tonnes), chelating agents (15 800 tonnes), and nitrilotriacetic acid (10 100 tonnes) and for miscellaneous uses (20 000Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

10 tonnes) (US EPA, 1990). Hydrogen cyanide is also used in the production of methyl methacrylate, methionine and its hydroxylated analogues, and potassium cyanide (ATSDR, 1997; ECETOC, 2004).

Sodium cyanide is extensively employed in a large number of industrial processes, including electroplatingand case-hardening of metals; the extraction (cyanidation) of gold and silver from ores; base metal flotation; coal gasification; and the fumigation of ships, railroad cars, buildings, grain silos, flour mills, seeds in vacuum chambers, and soil. Large quantities of sodium cyanideare used to introduce cyano groups into organic compounds, in particular through a reaction with organic halogen compounds to yiel d nitriles. The nitriles can then be converted to a variety of carboxylic acids, amides, esters, and amines. Potassium cyanide is used for electrolytic refining of platinum, for metal colouring, and as an electrolyte for the separation of gold, silver, and copper from platinum (Eisler et al., 1999; Patnaik, 1999; ACGIH, 2001; ECETOC, 2004). Cyanide salts are used as chelating agents, and the complex cyanides of copper, zinc, and cadmium are used in electroplating processes, principally the plating of iron, steel, and zinc (ECETOC, 2004).

Calcium cyanide is used chiefly as a fumigant, because it readily releases hydrogen cyanide when exposed to air; as a fertilizer, defoliant, herbicide, and rodenticide; as a stabilizer for cement; and in stainless steel manufacture (ACGIH, 2001).

Cyanogen is used as a fumigant, as a fuel gas for welding and cutting heat-resistant metals, and as a rocket and missile propellant (ATSDR, 1997).

Cyanogen chloride is used as a fumigant gas and as a reagent in chemical synthesis.

Cuprous cyanide is used in plating baths for silver, brass, and copper–tin alloy plating (ATSDR, 1997), asan antifouling agent in marine paint, and as an insecticide and fungicide (Windholz, 1983).

Potassium silver cyanide is used in silver plating

and as a bactericide.

Potassium ferricyanide is used chiefly for blueprints, in photography, for staining wood, in calico printing, and in electroplating.

Sodium ferrocyanide is used in ore flotation, as an anti-caking agent in rock salt, and in photography for bleaching, toning, and fixing.

Sodium nitroprusside has been used as an antihypertensive agent and in congestive heart failure and is used for deliberate induction of hypotension during certain neurosurgical procedures.

ACH is used in preparative transcyanohydrination

reactions.

4.2.3 Release to the environment

More than 30 large-scale accidental releases of cyanide to water systems have been reported since 1975; these include transportation accidents, pipe failures, and tailings dam-related releases (Korte et al., 2000; Mudder & Botz, 2000).

Non-point sources of cyanide released to water can result from runoff from cy anide-containing anti-caking salts (i.e., sodium ferrocyanide) used on roads, migration from landfills, and agricultural and atmospheric fallout and washout (ATSDR, 1997).

The extraction of gold from low-grade ores by cyanidation processes was estimated to result in a worldwide emission of 20 000 tonnes of hydrogen cyanide into the atmosphere (Korte & Coulston, 1998). Another estimate suggested that currently 45 300 tonnes of cyanide are used in the USA in the cyanidation process. The wastes from these processes result in large cyanide-containing ponds near the mining operations (Clark & Hothem, 1991; Henny et al., 1994; Ma & Pritsos, 1997; Eisler et al., 1999).

The major point sources of cyanide release to water are discharges from gold mining plants, publicly owned

wastewater treatment plants, iron and steel production, and the organic chemical industries. An estimated 3 billion litres (i.e., 3 × 10 9 litres) of wastes containing cyanides were generated in the USA in 1983, principallyfrom spent cyanide plating bath solutions from electroplating operations (except for precious metals) and fromspent stripping and cleaning bath solutions from electroplating operations (Grosse, 1986).

During cassava starch production, large amounts ofcyanoglycosides are released and hydrolysed by plantborne enzymes, leading to cyanide concentrations in wastewater as high as 200 mg/litre (Siller & Winter, 1998).

The major sources of cyanide released to air, in addition to exhaust from vehicle emissions, are diverse, including chemical manufacturing (hydrogen cyanide, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile); processing industries, such as metallu rgical industries and metal plating (i.e., electroplating metals and finishing [metal polishes]); extraction of gold and silver from low-grade ores; volatilization from cyanide wastes disposed of in landfills and waste ponds; the production of coke or other coal carbonization procedures; emissions fromHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

11 municipal solid waste incinerators; and direct release of cyanides to the atmosphere resulting from fumigation operations, combustion of polyurethanes, acrylonitrile, and polyamide plastics, and combustion of wool, silk, and fibres (Carotti & Kaiser, 1972; Fiksel et al., 1981; ATSDR, 1997; Eisler et al., 1999).

An estimated total of 1 million tonnes of hydrogen cyanide, amounting to 73.1% of the total environmental releases in the USA, was discharged to the air from manufacturing and processing facilities (ATSDR, 1997).

The estimated amounts of hydrogen cyanide

released to air in 1976 from the most common nonindustrial sources were as fo llows: agricultural pest control, 62 tonnes; incineration, 8.2–82 tonnes; and tobacco smoke, 5.9–340 tonnes (Fiksel et al., 1981; ATSDR, 1997).

In 2001, from various locations in the USA, about 1300 tonnes of hydrogen cyanide were released on- and off-site; 540 tonnes were emitted to the atmosphere, 0.1 tonne was released to surface waters, 770 tonnes were injected into Class I wells, 1 and 0.42 tonne was

released to land (US EPA, 2003c). In 2001, from various locations in the USA, approximately 3400 tonnes of cyanides (not otherwise specified) were released on- and off-site; 220 tonnes were emitted to the atmosphere, 47 tonnes were released to surface waters, 1800 tonnes were injected into Class I wells, and 1300 tonnes were

released to land (US EPA, 2003c).

Hydrogen cyanide has been found following the combustion of a number of synthetic polymers. Themaximum yield of hydrogen cyanide per gram of polyurethane foam ranged from 0.37 to 0.93 mg under nonflaming conditions and from 0.5 to 1.02 mg underflaming combustion (Sklarew & Hayes, 1984). Hydrogen cyanide concentrations in the off-gas from the shale oil retorting process ranged from 7 to 44 mg/m 3
(Sklarew & Hayes, 1984).

One cigarette without a filter liberates 500 μg hydrogen cyanide, while filte r cigarettes liberate only 100 μg in mainstream smoke. Hydrogen cyanide

concentrations in mainstream and sidestream smoke ranging from 280 to 550 μg/cigarette and from 53 to 111 μg/cigarette, respectively, have been reported; sidestream:mainstream ratios of hydrogen cyanide concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 0.50 (ATSDR, 1997). The level of hydrogen cyanide found in Canadian cigarette smoke under International Organization for Standardization standard smoking conditions were as

1 Deep, isolated rock formations that are separated from the lowermost underground source of drinking-water by layers of impermeable clay and rock (US EPA, 2003b). follows: mainstream smoke, 32–156 μg/cigarette; and sidestream smoke, 77–136 μg/cigarette (Health Canada, 2002).

The average rate of emission of hydrogen cyanide by automobile exhaust was reported to be 7–9 mg/km for cars not equipped with catalytic converters and on the order of 0.6 mg/km for cars with catalytic converters operating under optimum conditions in the mid- to late 1970s (ATSDR, 1997).

Cyanogen chloride is formed as a reaction product of organic precursors with hypochlorous acid in thepresence of ammonia and may be formed as a byproduct of the chloramination of water (e.g., via the

reaction of humic substances with chlorine and chloramine used for water disinfection) (Ohya & Kanno 1987; WHO, 1996; IPCS, 2000a). In the USA, 35% of the surface water plants and 23% of the groundwater plants using chloramine as a primary or secondary disinfectant report cyanogen chloride formation (US EPA, 2002).

Cyanogen is generated in the combustion of nitrogen–carbon compounds and appears in automobile exhaust gases and gases from blast furnaces (CHEMINFO, 1998).

Cyanide is present in the air mostly as a gas, and cyanides have the potential to be transported over long distances from their respective emission sources.



### 5. ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS AND HUMAN
EXPOSURE

5.1 Environmental levels

5.1.1 Air

Cyanide is found in ambient air as hydrogen cyanide and to a smaller extent in particulate matter. The concentration of hydrogen cyanide measured since 1981 in the northern hemisphere’s non-urban troposphere ranged from 180 to 190 ng/m 3 (Cicerone & Zellner, 1983; Jaramillo et al., 1989).

Ambient air monitoring data for cyanides in Bulgaria in areas near petrochemical plants showed concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 μg/m 3 (annual average value) (Kaloyanova et al., 1985).

Cyanide has been detected at levels of 20–46 mg/m 3
in the air near large-scale cassava processing facilities in Nigeria (Okafor & Maduagwu, 2000).Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

12 5.1.2 Water

Cyanides, reported as cyanide, hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, calcium cyanide, or copper(I) cyanide, have been detected in surface water samples at 70 of the 154 hazardous waste sites where they were studied in the USA; they have also been detected in groundwater samples at 191 of the 419 waste sites studied and in leachate samples of 16 of the 52 sites studied. The median concentrations in the positive samples were 160 μg/litre for groundwater, 70 μg/litre for surface water, and 479 μg/litre for the leachates (HazDat, 2003).

Data from the US National Urban Runoff Program in 1982 revealed that 16% of urban runoff samples

collected from four cities across the USA contained cyanides at levels of 2–33 μg/litre (ATSDR, 1997).

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) STORET database, the mean cyanide

concentration in most surface waters in the USA is less than 3.5 μg/litre. Data from the late 1970s to early 1980s indicated that the levels are higher only in limited areas and may exceed 200 μg/litre (ATSDR, 1997).

In 1978, a US EPA survey of drinking-water supplies showed that about 7% of the supplies had cyanide concentrations greater than 10 μg/litre (USEPA, 1993a). Cyanogen chloride is one of the 18 compounds that occur most frequently (8 of 10 city surveys) in potable water within the framework of the US National Organic Reconnaissance Survey (Bedding et al., 1982). In a survey in 1987 of over 35 drinking-water supplies, the quarterly median cyanogen chloride concentrations in drinking-water ranged from 0.45 to 0.80 μg/litre (from 0.19 to 0.34 μg cyanide/litre) (Krasner et al., 1989; ATSDR, 1997). More current data regarding the cyanide and cyanogen chloride levels in drinking-water are lacking.

Levels of 1.58–7.89 mg cyanide/litre have been found in natural water sources near large-scale cassava processing facilities in Nigeria (Okafor et al., 2001).

5

. 1

. 3 Soil

Cyanide has been identified in the soil of hazardous waste sites in the USA; the median concentrations for the positive sites were 0.8 mg/kg in the subsurface soil (found at 77 sites of the 124 studied) and 0.4 mg/kg in the topsoil (51 positive sites out of 91 sites) (HazDat, 2003).

Cyanide-containing wastes are commonly found in soils at former manufactured gas plant sites in the USA. Most concentrations of cyanide compounds at the manufactured gas plant sites are below 2000 mg/kg. The most prevalent types of cyanide compounds are ironcomplexed forms, e.g., ferric ferrocyanide (Prussian blue), rather than the highly toxic free cyanide forms. Iron-complexed cyanides, dominated by the ferrocyanide ion, comprise over 97% of total cyanides in either

weathered or unweathered so ils (Shifrin et al., 1996).

5

. 1.4 Food

Many edible plants contain cyanogenic glycosides, whose concentrations can vary widely as a result of genetic and environmental factors, location, season, and soil types (Ermans et al., 1980; JECFA, 1993). Some of the foodstuffs and their cyanide contents are shown in Table 3. Cassava tubers vary widely in their cyanogenic glycoside content, although most varieties contain 15– 400 mg cyanide/kg fresh weight. Occasionally varieties of cassava tubers contain 1300–2000 mg cyanide/kg fresh weight, and cassava leaves contain 1000–2000 mg cyanogenic glucosides/kg on a dry matter basis (Padmaja, 1995). Fermentation of cassava pulp for 96 h during gari production reduced the hydrogen cyanide content by 50%; soaking of sliced cassava for 24 h, 40%; and sun-drying, some 15% (Kendirim et al., 1995).It should be noted that the ranges of cyanide concentrations shown in Table 3 are very broad in several cases (i.e., cereals and their products, soy protein products, and apricot pits), which may be due to their different sources and differences in analytical procedures; as well, the values may reflect the older literature.

Hydrogen cyanide can be produced by hydrolytic reaction catalysed by one or more enzymes from the plants containing cyanogenic glycosides. In kernels, for example, this reaction is catalysed by the enzyme emulsin (Lasch & El Shawa, 1981) when the seeds are crushed and moistened. Amygdalin (which is also present in cassava, bitter almonds, and peach stones) is converted to glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide (Figure 2) (IPCS, 1992). Hydrogen cyanide release can occur during maceration, which activates

intracellular β -glucosidases. This reaction can also result from chewing, which causes the enzyme and the cyanogenic glycosides stored in differe nt compartments to combine (Ermans et al., 1980; Nahrstedt, 1993). The reaction occurs rapidly in an alkaline environment, and the hydrolysis is complete in 10 min. Hydrolysis is possible in an acid solution and takes place slowly.

Liberation of hydrogen cyanide from cyanogenic glycosides occurs usually after ingestion and hydrolysis by the glycosidases of the intestinal microflora and, to a lesser degree, by glucosidases of the liver and other tissues (Padmaja, 1995). However, hydrolysis may also occur during the preparation of the food, which may account for the short interval between ingestion and the appearance of signs of poisoning in some accidents (Lasch & El Shawa, 1981).Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

13 Table 3: Cyanide concentrations in food products. a

Type of product Cyanide concentration (in mg/kg or mg/litre)

Cereal grains and their products 0.001–0.45

Soy protein products 0.07–0.3

Soybean hulls 1.24

Apricot pits, wet weight 89–2170

Home-made cherry juice from pitted
fruits 5.1

Home-made cherry juice containing

100% crushed pits 23

Commercial fruit juices

Cherry 4.6

Apricot 2.2

Prune 1.9

Tropical foodstuffs

Cassava (bitter) / dried root cortex 2360

Cassava (bitter) / leaves 300

Cassava (bitter) / whole tubers 380

Cassava (sweet) / leaves 451

Cassava (sweet) / whole tubers 445

Gari flour (Nigeria) 10.6–22.1

Sorghum / whole immature plant 2400

Bamboo / immature shoot tip 7700

Lima beans from Java (coloured) 3000

Lima beans fom Puerto Rico (black) 2900

Lima beans from Burma (white) 2000

a From Nartey (1980); Honig et al. (1983); JECFA (1993);

ATSDR (1997).

5.1.5 Other

Laetrile (another name for amygdalin derived fromapricot kernels), which was formerly used as an anticancer agent, releases cyanide upon metabolism. Bitteralmonds and apricot pits containing cyanogenic glycosides are still sold in health food stores and over the Internet (Suchard et al., 1998). Other drugs, such assodium nitroprusside, which is used as an antihypertensive and in congestive heart failure (Guiha et al., 1974; Tinker, 1976; Aitken et al., 1977; Schultz, 1984; Rindone & Sloane 1992), also liberate hydrogen cyanide in the body. In sodium nitroprusside, the CN

– moiety represents 44% by weight of the molecule. Some aliphatic nitriles that are widely used in the chemical industry — i.e., acetonitrile (IPCS, 1993), acrylonitrile (IARC, 1999), succinonitrile, and adiponitrile — also release cyanide upon metabolism (Willhite & Smith, 1981). 5.2 Human exposure

5.2.1 General population

The general population may be exposed to cyanide from ambient air, drinking-water, and food.

Based on an atmospheric hydrogen cyanide concentration of 190 ng/m 3 and an average daily

inhalation of 20 m 3 air, the inhalation exposure of the general US non-urban, non-smoking population to hydrogen cyanide is estimated to be 3.8 μg/day (ATSDR, 1997).

Based on a daily drinking-water consumption of 2 litres for an adult, the daily intake of cyanogen chloride is estimated to be 0.9–1.6 μg (equivalent to 0.4– 0.7 μg of cyanide) (ATSDR, 1997) for cyanogen chloride concentrations in water of 0.45–0.80 μg/litre (0.19–0.34 μg cyanide/litre).

Among the general population, subgroups with the highest potential for exposure to cyanide include active and passive smokers, individuals involved in large-scale processing of foods high in cyanogenic glycosides,individuals consuming foods high in cyanogenic glycosides, and, to a lesser degree, fire-related smoke inhalation victims.

Human exposure to cyanide by dietary intake is estimated to be potentially of major significance for cassava-consuming populations; cassava has been estimated to be the staple food for 500 million people. However, data on the concentrations of cyanides in the total diet are lacking; hence, the daily cyanide intakefrom food cannot be calculated. For human consumption, cassava can be eaten raw, cooked, or grated and roasted into flour and eaten as “gari,” which is the common form in Nigeria (Kendirim et al., 1995). In Mozambique, it was estimated that in families affected by the “mantakassa” disease (spastic paraparesis; see section 8), the daily intake of cyanogens was 14–30 mg (as cyanide) at the time of a mantakassa epidemic in 1981 (Ministry of Health, Mozambique, 1984b). In Nigeria, it was estimated that the intake of hydrogen cyanide in the tropical ataxia-endemic areas may be as high as 50 mg/day (Osuntokun, 1981).

Urinary excretion of thiocyanate has been applied in the biological monitoring of exposure to cyanogenicglycosides, especially among cassava-consuming populations. The average urinary thiocyanate concentrationamong children in the Bandundu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) was 757 μmol/litre in the south and 50 μmol/litre in the north (both populations consumed cassava as their staple diet, but the cassava was well processed in the north andConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

14 2 H 2 O + 2 + HCN +

Water + amygdalin → 2 glucose + cyanide + benzaldehyde

Fig. 2: Hydrolysis of amygdalin

inadequately processed in the south). These concentrations can be compared with an average of 31 μmol/litrein a non-smoking Swedish reference population (BaneaMayambu et al., 2000). In the same Bandundu region, it

was shown that there was a marked seasonal variation in urinary thiocyanate concentrations in the villages with a high “konzo” (spastic paraparesis) incidence (563– 627 μmol/litre in the dry season and 344–381 in the wet season), while the average in non-konzo areas was 241 μmol/litre (Banea-Mayambu et al., 1997). In Mozambique, the average urinary thiocyanate levels among healthy children from areas with epidemic spastic paraparesis varied between 33 and 1175 μmol/litre, whereas levels in areas with no paraparesis were between 18 and 400 μmol/litre (Casadei et al., 1990). InNampula province in Mozambique, where spastic paraparesis epidemics had been observed in 1981–1982 and during the civil war in 1992–1993, average urinary thiocyanate concentrations among schoolchildren in five areas were between 225 and 384 μmol/litre in October 1999 (Ernesto et al., 2002). In Malawi, in an area where cassava was typically soaked for 3–6 days for processing to flour, urinary thiocyanate concentrations were between 2 and 410 μmol/litre, with a median of 32 μmol/litre (Chiwona-Karltun et al., 2000).

5.2.2 Occupational exposure

The principal routes of occupational exposure to cyanides are via inhalation and, to a lesser degree, skin absorption. Skin absorption may be significant under some circumstances — for example, when airborne concentrations are very high, such as in fumigation operations. It may occur as well when personal protection is inadequate and operators are splashed.

Workers involved in electroplating, metallurgy, pesticide application, firefighting, gas works operations, tanning, blacksmithing, metal cleaning, photoengraving, photography, and the manufacture of steel, cyanides, adiponitrile and other nitriles, methyl methacrylate, cyanuric acid, dyes, pharmaceuticals, or chelating agents have the potential to be occupationally exposed to higher concentrations of cyanide (Prohorenkov & Kolpakov, 1978; Philips, 1989; IPCS, 1992; Banerjee et al., 1997). A number of illustrative levels of cyanide in the breathing zone of workers in working environments monitored at different produc tion facilities in the USA during the period 1976–1982 have been reported. The concentration of cyanide in air at a plating facility of a

national airline wa s 0.001–0.004 mg/m 3 (NIOSH, 1982). Concentrations of hydrogen cyanide in air at a plating facility of an electrical and electronic company in Virginia, USA, ranged from 0.07 mg/m 3 in a salt pot room to 4.3 mg/m 3 in a stripping tank (NIOSH, 1976). The concentration of cyanide in air at a plating facility in Ohio, USA, was 1.7 mg/m 3 (NIOSH, 1978).



### 6. COMPARATIVE KINETICS AND
METABOLISM IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
AND HUMANS

6.1 Absorption

Hydrogen cyanide is readily absorbed following inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure. Following exposure to cyanide in the atmosphere, toxic amounts of cyanide are absorbed with great rapidity through the bronchial mucosa and alveoli (ATSDR, 1997). Humans retained 58% of the hydrogen cyanide in the lungs after inhaling the gas through normal breathing (Landahl & Herrmann, 1950; ATSDR, 1997). Alkali metal cyanides are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is affected by the presence of food in the gut, the pH of the gut, and the lipid solubility of the cyanide compound.

Gastrointestinal absorption of inorganic cyanide salts is slower than pulmonary absorption, and the onset of symptoms is delayed and the severity of symptoms diminished compared with inhalation. When simple cyanide salts such as potassium and sodium cyanide are ingested, free cyanide ion can rapidly bind hydrogen ion to form hydrogen cyanide in the highly acidic medium of the stomach. Essentially all cyanide ingested as cyanide salts will form hydrogen cyanide and will be quickly absorbed. However, after oral intake, only part O O CH 2 OH

HO OH

OH H H H

H H CH 2

O

HO OH

OH H H H

H H O

CN CH CHO

H

H H H

H

OH OH HO CH 2 OH

O OHHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

15 of the dose reaches the bl ood due to first-pass metabolism by the liver (ECETOC, 2004).

Liquid cyanide compounds are easily absorbed through intact skin upon direct contact due to their lipid solubility and rapid epidermal penetration. Skin absorption of vapours of hydrogen cyanide is also possible when the air concentrations are high. The amount and rate of absorption of cyanides from aqueous solutions or atmospheric hydrogen cyanide depend upon the presence of moisture in the skin, concentration and pH of the solution, the surface area of contact, and the duration of contact (Dugard, 1987). In vitro studies with human skin have shown that penetration of sodium cyanide in aqueous solution through skin decreases with increasing pH (increasing dissociation), reflecting the more rapid absorption of the undissociated hydrogen cyanide. The permeability constant measured for the cyanide ion in aqueous solution was 3.5 × 10 –4 cm/h, and that calculated for hydrogen cyanide was 1 × 10 –4 cm/h (Dugard, 1987).

6.2 Distribution

Hydrogen cyanide has a p K

a of 9.22; thus, at physiological pH (about pH 7), hydrocyanic acid is distributed in the body as hydrogen cyanide and is not present as the free cyanide ion. Hence, the form of cyanide to which exposure occurs, the salt or the free acid, does not influence distribution, metabolism, or excretion from the body (ECETOC, 2004). Inhaled or percutaneously absorbed hydrogen cyanide passesimmediately into the systemic circulation. The distribution of cyanide to the various tissues is rapid and fairly uniform. Somewhat higher levels are generally found in the liver, lungs, blood, and brain. The tissue levels of hydrogen cyanide were 0.75, 0.42, 0.41, 0.33, and 0.32 mg/100 g of tissue in lung, heart, blood, kidney, and brain, respectively, in a man who died following inhalation exposure to hydrogen cyanide gas (Gettler & Baine, 1938; Ballantyne, 1983a; ATSDR, 1997; ECETOC, 2004). In contrast, high proportions of ingested sodium and potassium cyanide will pass through the liver and are detoxified by the first-pass

effect.

The major portion of cyanide in blood is sequestered in the erythrocytes, and a relatively small proportion is transported via the plasma to target organs. Cyanide is concentrated in red blood cells at a red blood cell to plasma ratio of 199:1; levels in plasma reflecttissue levels better than levels in whole blood or erythrocytes. Small but significant levels of cyanide are found in normal blood plasma (<140 μg/litre) and other tissues(<0.5 mg cyanide/kg) of humans without known occupational cyanide exposure (Feldstein & Klendshoj, 1954). These levels are related mostly to exposure to cyanogenic food, vitamin B 12 , and tobacco smoke. A detailed survey of normal plasma cyanide levels in 10 cases showed a maximum level of 106 μg/litre, with a mean of48 μg/litre (Feldstein & Klendshoj, 1954). After cessation of exposure, plasma cyanide levels tend to return to normal within 4–8 h (Feldstein & Klendshoj, 1954; Ansell & Lewis, 1970).

In rats dosed by gavage, highest concentrations of cyanide were found in the liver, followed by the lungs and blood (Yamamoto et al., 1982). After inhalation exposure, the highest concentrations of cyanide in rats were found in the lungs, followed by the blood and liver.

Cyanide has not been shown to accumulate in the blood and tissues following oral exposue to inorganic cyanide (ATSDR, 1997), and no cumulative effect onthe organism during repeated exposure has been demonstrated. There is a cumulative effect of exposure to thiocyanate (from the breakdown of cyanogenic glycosides in food plants), resulting in thyroid toxi city, including goitre and cretinism (Nahrstedt, 1993).

A number of illustrative levels of cyanide in organs and blood after oral intake in humans (Ansell & Lewis, 1970; ATSDR, 1997) and rabbits (Ballantyne, 1983a) have been reported. For a given exposure route, whole blood and serum cyanide levels are quite similar for different species (Ballantyne, 1983a).

6.3 Metabolism and excretion

Although cyanide can interact with substances such as methaemoglobin in the bloodstream, the majority of cyanide metabolism occurs within the tissues. Cyanide is metabolized in mammalian systems by one major route and several minor routes. The major route of metabolism for hydrogen cyanide and cyanides is detoxification in the liver by the mitochondrial enzyme rhodanese, which catalyses the transfer of the sulfane sulfur of thiosulfate to the cyanide ion to form thiocyanate (Figure 3) (Williams, 1959; Ansell & Lewis, 1970). About 80% of cyanide is detoxified by this route. The rate-limiting step is the amount of thiosulfate. While rhodanese is present in the mitochondria of all tissues, the species and tissue distributions of rhodanese are highly variable. In general, the highest concentrations of rhodanese are found in the liver, kidney, brain, and muscle, but the supply of thiosulfate is limited (Aminlari et al., 1994). Rhodanese is present in rat nasal mucosal tissues, particularly in the olfactory region, at a 7-fold higher concentration (on a per milligram of mitochondrial protein basis) than in the liver (Dahl, 1989). Dogs have a lower overall activity of rhodanese than monkeys, rats, and rabbits (ATSDR, 1997).Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

16 Fig. 3: Basic processes involved in the metabolism of cyanide (ATSDR, 1997)

A number of other sulfur transferases can also metabolize cyanide, and albumin, which carries elemental sulfur in the body in the sulfane form, can assist in the catalysis of cyanide to thiocyanate as well (Sylvester et al., 1982; Westley et al., 1983). Cyanide and thiocyanate can also be metabolized by several minor routes, including the combination of cyanide with hydroxycobalamin (vitamin B 12 a) to yield cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12 ) (Boxer & Rickards, 1952) and the non-enzymatic combination of cyanide with cystine, forming 2-iminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid, which appears to be excreted without further change (Rieders, 1971) (Figure 3).

In studies with rats orally administered potassium cyanide and maintained for up to 4 weeks on either a balanced diet or a diet lacking the sulfur amino acids Lcystine and L-methionine, a strongly positive linear relationship was found between blood cyanide and plasma cyanate (OCN

– ) concentration (Tor-Agbidye et al., 1999). It was suggested that in Africa, where thereare protein-deficient populations whose levels of sulfurcontaining amino acids are low, cyanide (from prolonged use of cassava) may conceivably be converted to cyanate, which is known to cause neurodegenerative

disease in humans and animals.

While absorbed cyanide is principally excreted as thiocyanate in the urine, traces of free hydrogen cyanide may also be excreted unchanged in the lungs, saliva, sweat, or urine (Hartung, 1982), as carbon dioxide in expired air, or as β -thiocyanoalanine in saliva and sweat 

### S NH NH 2



### COOH S NH NH

COOH CN S CH 2 

### CH COOH NH 2 

### S

S CH 2 

### CH COOH

NH 2 

### CH 2 

### CH NH 2



### COOH HCNO CO 2



### HCOOH

ß-Thiocyanoalanine

2-Aminothiazoline4-carboxylic acid 2-Iminothiazolidine4-carboxylic acid Minor pathway Major pathway

(80%)

Cystine 1 / 2

Metabolism of

one-carbon compounds Formates Some excreted

in urine

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B 12 

### ) CN -



### Cyanide HCN
(expired air)

SCN -



### ThiocyanateHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

17 (Friedberg & Schwartzkopf, 1969; Hartung, 1982; JECFA, 1993).

Thiocyanate was found in the urine of non-exposed people at average concentrations of 2.16 mg/litre urine for non-smokers and 3.2 mg/litre urine for smokers (Chandra et al., 1980). Urinary excretion of thiocyanate was monitored in a man after ingestion of about 3–5 g potassium cyanide (15–25 mg cyanide/kg body weight) (Liebowitz & Schwartz, 1948; ATSDR, 1997). The results indicated that the patient excreted 237 mg ofthiocyanate over a 72-h period. This quantity was substantially more than the normal average amount of thiocyanate in urine, which varies from 0.85 to 14 mg/24 h (ATSDR, 1997).

The limiting factor in cyanide metabolism is the low concentration of the sulfur-containing substrates in the body — primarily th iosulfate, but also cystine and cysteine. The rate of spont aneous detoxification of cyanide in humans is about 1 μg/kg body weight per minute (Schultz et al., 1982), which is considerably slower than in small rodents (Schubert & Brill, 1968) or dogs (Lawrence, 1947).

After administration of an intravenous dose of 3– 4 mg potassium cyanide to beagle dogs, blood levels

decreased in a manner consistent with first-order elimination kinetics for the first 80 min (Bright & Marrs, 1988). The half-time for this phase was about 24 min, corresponding to an elimination rate constant of0.03/min. After 80 min, the blood cyanide concentrations fell at a slower rate, with a half-time of 5.5 h. Inrats, after a single oral dose, the blood elimination halftime of cyanide was 14.1 min, corresponding to a rate constant of 0.05/min (Leuschner et al., 1991).

Rats treated orally with 2 mg cyanide/kg body weight excreted 47% of the dose in the urine within 24 h (Farooqui & Ahmed, 1982). A [ 14 C]cyanide intake study with rats (exposed to a regular intake of cyanide in thediet for 3 weeks) indicated the existence of a gastrointestinal circulation of thiocyanate, in which a substantial amount of thiocyanate, which was excreted into the stomach contents of the rat, was reabsorbed by the intestine into the body fluid, to be partly excreted in the urine and partly resecreted into the gastric contents (Okoh & Pitt, 1982). The relative proportion of cyanide to thiocyanate in body fluids is about 1:1000 (Pettigrew & Fell, 1973). The half-time for hydrogen cyanide elimination is about 1 h (Ansell & Lewis, 1970; IPCS, 1992).

Half-time values of the principal metabolite thiocyanate in humans have been reported as 4 h (Blaschle & Melmon, 1980), 2 days (Bödigheimer et al., 1979), and 2.7 days (Schultz et al., 1979). In patients with renal insufficiency, a mean half-time of 9 days was reported (Bödigheimer et al., 1979).

6.4 Biological monitoring

Levels of the cyanide metabolite thiocyanate in blood serum and plasma and urine have been employed as indicators of high cyanide exposure in humans (Lauwerys & Hoet, 2001). However, at low levels ofoccupational exposure, the relationship between exposure and urinary thiocyanate concentrations shows a wide inter- and intraindividual variation due to a variety of factors (e.g., diet); therefore, measuring cyanide and/or thiocyanate levels in blood and urine is not a reliable biomarker for exposure to low concentrations of cyanide.



### 7. EFFECTS ON LABORATORY MAMMALS

AND IN VITRO TEST SYSTEMS

7.1 Single exposure

Symptoms of cyanide toxicity can occur within seconds of inhalation of hydrogen cyanide or within minutes of ingestion of cyanide salts. Onset may bedelayed up to 12 h after ingestion of cyanogenic glycosides, nitriles, or thiocyanates.

Inhalation LC 50 values of hydrogen cyanide in rats ranged from 158 mg/m 3 for 60 min to 3778 mg/m 3 for 10 s (Ballantyne, 1983a). Exposure of mice to cyanide

resulted in similar LC 50 values (Higgins et al., 1972; Matijak-Schaper & Alarie, 1982), and LC 50 values of hydrogen cyanide in rabbits ranged from 2432 mg/m 3 for 45 s to 208 mg/m 3 for 35 min (Ballantyne, 1983a). The concentration of hydrogen cyanide in inhaled air markedly affects the acute toxicity: the total amount ofhydrogen cyanide inhaled leading to death is disproportionately larger at low exposure levels than at high exposure levels (and thus the time leading to death is disproportionately longer) (Table 4). A similar dose rate dependence of acute toxicity was observed in hamsters: (pregnant) hamsters did not show signs of toxicity until they had received a total dose of 30–40 times the single

subcutaneous LD 50 when given sodium cyanide subcutaneously by an osmotic minipump (Doherty et al., 1982).

A similar dose rate dependence has also been noted for oral exposure. While the single-dose gavage LD 50 of potassium cyanide was 10 mg/kg body weight in Sherman rats, no mortality was observed when a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight was given in the diet for 90 days. The author ascribed this remarkable differenceConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

18 to the difference in dose ra te (bolus vs. dietary exposure): at the low dose rate, the liver is capable of detoxifying cyanide before it reaches the general circulation (Hayes, 1967).

Table 4: Acute inhalation toxicity of hydrogen cyanide vapour in rats. a

Median lethal toxicity

Exposure time as LC 50 (mg/m 3 ) as total dose b

(min × mg/m 3 )

10 s 3778 631

1 min 1471 1129

5 min 493 2463

30 min 173 5070

60 min 158 9441

a From Ballantyne (1983a).

b Details of calculation not provided.

The information on the relative sensitivity of various animals to hydrogen cyanide vapours is mainlybased on early studies by Barcroft (1931). In an extensive series of inhalation experiments, in which different species of animals were exposed to usually 5–8 different concentrations of hydrogen cyanide and followed until death, he showed that the lethal time (time for 50% of animals to die at 1000 mg/m 3 ) was 0.8, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 2.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5 min for dogs, mice, cats, rabbits, rats, guinea-pigs, goats, and monkeys. Extrapolation to zero mortality gave the followin g maximal non-lethal concentrations to dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, monkeys, cats, goats, and guinea-pigs: 100, 100, 140, 180, 180, 180, 240, and 400 mg/m 3 . There was thus a rough inverse relationship between sensitivity to hydrogen cyanide and body size, dogs being a notable exception.

Severe dyspnoea has been observed in dogs exposed to 170–740 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 for 2–12 min. Pulmonary oedema was found in some dogs at necropsy (Haymaker et al., 1952). Exposure of cynomolgus monkeys to 110–180 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 led quickly to incapacitation; the time to incapacitation was inversely related to the level of exposure, being 8 min for 180 mg/m 3 and 19 min for 110 mg/m 3 (Purser et al., 1984). At 70 mg/m 3 for 30 min, slight depression of the central nervous system was reported (Purser, 1984).

Following oral administration to rats, LD 50 s ofhydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide are very similar: 0.156, 0.117, and 0.115 mmol/kg body weight, respectively, i.e., 3–4 mg cyanide/kg body weight (Ballantyne, 1983a 1 ). In mice, an LD 50 of 15.8 mg potassium cyanide (corresponding to 6 mg cyanide)/kg body weight has been reported (Ferguson,

1 In Table 1 of Ballantyne (1983a), the rat oral LD 50 values are erroneously listed as coming from rabbits (Ballantyne, 1987). 1962). In rabbits, hydrogen cyanide, potassium cyanide, and sodium cyanide appear equitoxic on a molar basis (LD 50 s of 0.092, 0.104, and 0.090 mmol/kg for hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide, respectively); rabbits appeared to be somewhat more susceptible to cyanides than mice or rats (Ballantyne, 1983a).

Following application of cyanides in aqueous solution to the intact skin of New Zealand rabbits, the dermal

LD 50 s of hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide were 0.260, 0.298, and 0.343 mmol/kg body weight, respectively (corresponding to 6.8, 7.7, and 8.9 mg cyanide/kg body weight) (Ballantyne, 1983a). The dermal toxicity of cyanide, especially of hydrogen cyanide, is markedly greater following application on abraded skin, which enhances the penetration of cyanide (LD 50 s of 0.087, 0.220, and 0.30 mmol/kg for hydrogen cyanide, sodium cyanide, and potassium cyanide, respectively) (Ballantyne, 1987). 2 Local contact may produce mild burns (IPCS, 1992).

In a range-finding toxicity study on ACH, the oral

LD 50 in rats and dermal LD 50 in rabbits were both 17 mg ACH (5.2 mg cyanide)/kg body weight; 4-h inhalation mortality in rats was 2/6 at 220 mg/m 3 and 6/6 at 440 mg/m 3 (Smyth et al., 1962). In a 4-week inhalation study, in which the average measured concentrations of ACH were 33, 106, and 211 mg/m 3 , 3/10 male rats died after the first 6-h exposure at the highest concentration (Monsanto Co., 1985c). On this first day of exposure,

the four measured concentrations of ACH in the chamber were 196, 214, 225, and 225 mg/m 3 , 225 mg/m 3
being the highest individual concentration measured during the 1-month exposure (when no further mortality was observed). No similar acute mortality was observed in a 14-week study at exposures up to 204 mg/m 3 , in the male fertility study (202 mg/m 3 ), or in the female fertility study (207 mg/m 3 ) (see sections 7.3 and 7.6) (Monsanto Co., 1984a, 1985a,b).

There are no qualitative differences in acute poisoning between cyanide compounds, since the cyanide ionis the common agent that primarily inhibits tissue cytochrome oxidase activity in rats, mice, and rabbits, with resulting anoxia (Way, 1984; US EPA, 1988). Althoughacute oral doses of cyanide cause cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuroelectric alterations, many studies haveshown that the brain is the organ most sensitive to cyanide toxicity. Death from cyanide poisoning is believedto result from central nervous system depression, subsequent to inhibition of brain cytochrome oxidase activity (Way, 1984). Typical signs of toxicity after inhalation of hydrogen cyanide in test species include rapid breathing, weak and ataxic movements,

2 The information on the exposure regimen in these studies is incomplete.Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

19 convulsions, loss of voluntary movement, coma, and decrease and irregularities in respiratory rate and depthpreceding death (Ballantyne, 1983b; European Chemicals Bureau, 2000a,b).

7.2 Short-term exposure

7.2.1 Oral

Forty-six male adult inbred Wistar rats were used in four experimental groups and one control group and treated with 0, 0.3, 0.9, 3.0, or 9.0 mg potassium cyanide/kg body weight per day in the drinking-water for 15 days. This was equivalent to 0, 0.12, 0. 36, 1.2, and 3.6 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. The high-dose group exhibited a 70% lower body weight gain than the control animals. In qualitative histological analysis, without statistical treatment or morphometric analysis, changes were observed in the kidney, liver, and thyroid. Cytoplasmic vacuolation, considered to reflect hydropic degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, was noted in animals treated at doses of 3.0–9.0 mg potassium cyanide/kg body weight per day and in hepatocytes of those animals treated at a dose of 9.0 mgpotassium cyanide/kg body weight per day. A dosedependent increase in the number of reabsorption vacuoles on follicular colloid in the thyroid gland was noted in all animals of the experimental groups. No changes were observed in serum triiiodothyronine (T 3 ), thyroxine (T 4 ), creatinine, or urea levels; a decrease was observed in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALAT)activity at the two lowest exposure levels. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) was elevated by 30% at the two lowest dose levels and by 21% at the 3.0 mg potassium cyanide/kg body weight per day dose; it was decreased by 29% at the highest dose level (Sousa et al., 2002).

7.2.2 Inhalation

7.2.2.1 Hydrogen cyanide

No statistically significant increase in the incidenceof histopathological changes in the lungs or cardiovascular tissues (e.g., myocardial ultrastructure) compared with the controls was noted in rabbits continuously exposed to 0.6 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 for 1 or 4 weeks (Hugod, 1981).

Dogs exposed to 50 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 for 30 min every third day for 28 days exhibited extensive vascular and cellular central nervous system lesions, including vasodilation and haemorrhages (Valade, 1952). 7.2.2.2 Acetone cyanohydrin

Sprague-Dawley rats (10 per sex and dose level) were exposed to ACH in the atmosphere at average concentrations of 33, 106, or 211 mg/m 3 for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. This was equivalent to hydrogen cyanide concentrations of 10, 34, and 67 mg/m 3 (Monsanto Co., 1985c). On the first exposure day, the highest concentration of ACH in the chamber was 225 mg/m 3 , corresponding to 71 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 , and 3 out of the 10 males at the highest dose level died after the first exposure (see section 7.1). Irritation of the nose and eyes was observed at the two highest exposure levels. High-dose females had decreased blood haemoglobin and elevated blood urea nitrogen concentrations, and total serum protein levels were decreased in high- and mid-dose males; these laboratory changes were within the reference range. No gross or microscopic changes were observed in a wide range of organs at autopsy. No changes were observed in thyroid function, with the exception of an elevated T 3 level in the mid-dose males. The NOAEL (the observed effect being irritation) reported from the study was 33 mg ACH/m 3 (10 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 ); this can be estimated to correspond to a daily dose of 2.7 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. 1

7.3 Medium-term exposure

7.3.1 Oral

In 13-week studies, groups of F344/N rats and

B6C3F 1 mice (10 of each sex) were administered 0, 3,10, 30, 100, or 300 mg sodium cyanide/litre in drinkingwater (NTP, 1993). The equivalent cyanide ion doses were 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.4, 4.5, and 12.5 (in males) and 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.7, 4.9, and 12.5 (in females) mg cyanide/kg body weight per day for rats and 0, 0.3, 1, 3, 9, and 26 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day for mice. No deaths, clinically significant effects on body or organ weights, or histopathological or clinical pathology changes were noted in either rats or mice. In particular, no lesions werefound in the brain or thyroid gland. Effects on the reproductive organs were analysed in animals in the three highest dose groups. A slight (7–13%) but statistically significant reduction was observed in sperm motility and in the weight of cauda epididymidis in all studied groups

of male rats. In the male s of the 300 mg/litre group (12.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day), a statistically significant decrease was observed in the weight of the left epididymis, left cauda epididymidis, left testis, andthe number of spermatid heads per testis. Sodium cyanide at concentrations of 100 and 300 mg/litre (4.9 and 12.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day, respectively)

1 Calculated with a minute volume of 150 ml/min and an average body weight of 200 g and assuming 100% absorption.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

20 caused a statistically significant increase in the time spent by female rats in proestrus and diestrus relative to estrus and metestrus. In male mice, a statistically significant decrease in the left cauda epididymidis weights was noted at 26 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day, but no changes in sperm motility or spermatid head density were observed. No changes in the estrous cycle length in female mice were noted. The authors noted that the changes in male rats are consistent with a small but measurable adverse effect on reproduction. While these changes are insufficient to decrease fertility in rats, the relative sensitivity of humans to such changes is considered to be greater than that of rats; therefore, a potential for adverse reproductive effects exists in humans (NTP, 1993). One of the source documents (ATSDR, 1997) identified 12.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day as the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL), based on all the effects on reproductive organs observed in the male rats, and 4.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day as the NOAEL; the findings in female rats were not considered adverse (ATSDR, 1997). 1

In a 13-week study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered potassium cyanide in drinking-water at a dose level of 40, 80, or 160/140 mg/kg body weight per day. These doses correspond to 16, 32, and 64/56 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day (Leuschner et al., 1989). Histopathological investigation of the brain, heart, liver, testes, thyroid, and kidneys did not reveal adverse effects. Urinary protein excretion was increased in dosed animals, and dose-dependent increases were observed in organ weights; these were interpreted to have arisen from decreased food and water consumption caused by decreased palatability. 2

All rats survived, but there was a dose-dependent loss of body weight, an increase in thyroid weight, and a decrease of blood haemoglobin and serum T 4 levels in rats after 14 weeks on a diet containing 5 or 10 g potassium cyanide/100 g diet (corresponding to

1 The German MAK Commission on occupational exposure

limits also considered th e isolated effects on cauda epididymidis weight at the dose 1.4 mg cyanide/kg body weight as non-adverse and the more extensive changes observed at 12.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight as adverse. However, the MAK Commission considered the effects on the estrus cycle in female rats at 4.9 mg cyanide/kg body weight as

adverse and thus set the NOAEL in rats at the lowest dose studied for this end-point (given as 1.7 mg cyanide/kg body weight in the original report, but as 1.6 mg cyanide/kg body weight in the German MAK report) (Greim, 2003).

2 In a kinetic study, apparently from the same experiment (Leuschner et al., 1991), it was noted that several animals at the highest dose died during the experiment; this was the reason why the dose was reduced from 160 to 140 mg/kg body weight per day at the beginning of week 12. approximately 800 and 1600 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day) (Olusi et al., 1979).

In a 3-month study, weanling male Wistar rats were given potassium cyanide at 0, 0.15, 0.3, or 0.6 mg/kg body weight per day daily (0, 0.06, 0.12, and 0.24 mgcyanide/kg body weight per day) by gavage (SotoBlanco et al., 2002b). In plasma samples collected on the last day of the administration, no changes were observed

in the concentrations of T 3 , T 4 , or glucose, while a

decrease was observed in the concentration of cholesterol, significant at the highest dose (45%, P < 0.05).The authors made a qualitative statement that dosedependent neuropathological findings were observed, including spheroids on the ventral horn of the spinal cord, neuron loss in the hippocampus, damaged Purkinje cells, and loss of cerebellar matter. No further details or statistical analysis was presented.

No effects were noted in Sprague-Dawley rats fed potassium cyanide at concentrations up to 187.5 mg/100g diet (750 mg cyanide/kg diet) for 56 days. On proteindeficient diets, the lowest body weight gain was obtained at the highest dietary cyanide concentration (Tewe & Maner, 1985).

In a 40-week study in rabbits, the animals were fedpotassium cyanide at a level of 1.76 g/kg diet (corresponding to 24–17 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day) (Okolie & Osagie, 1999). The weight gain of the treated animals was decreased by 33%; at the end of the experimental period, serum urea and creatinine levels were elevated, as were the activities of serum lactate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, ALAT, and alkaline phosphatase.

In a neuropathological study (Soto-Blanco et al., 2002a), goats, 30–45 days old at the beginning of the study, were given potassium cyanide in milk (until weaning) and in drinking-water thereafter at a dose level of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, or 3.0 mg (0.12, 0.24, 0.48, or 1.2 mg cyanide)/kg body weight per day for 5 months. In a qualitative morphological and immunohistochemical study, presence of gliosis and spongiosis in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord and gliosis in the pons and damage to Purkinje cells in the cerebellum were observed at the highest dose, but no increase in apoptotic cells was reported. Congestion and haemorrhage in the cerebellum were observed at the 0.48 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day group. No quantification or statistical analysis of the findings was presented.

Hyperactivity tremors, convulsions, and laboured breathing were noted in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 7.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day as copper cyanide for 90 days by gavage. No similar effects were reported at 1.45 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. Laboured respiration occurred in rats exposed at a lowerHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

21 dose of 0.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day when administered potassium silver cyanide for 90 days (Gerhart, 1987).

The only sign of toxicity observed in male rats exposed by gavage to copper cyanide (14.5 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day) (Gerhart, 1986) or potassium silver cyanide (2.6 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day) for 90 days was an increase in testis weight (Gerhart, 1987). No effects were observed in female rats in either study. The NOAELs were 4.35 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day (Gerhart, 1986) and 0.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day (Gerhart, 1987).

Kamalu and co-workers (Kamalu & Agharanya, 1991; Kamalu, 1993) compared the effects of cassava containing linamarin with those of a diet containing an equivalent amount of sodium cyanide in three groups of growing dogs, each comprising six animals, for 14 weeks. One group was fed cassava (gari) as the carbohydrate source, which was expected to release 10.8 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg cooked food; another group was fed on the control diet with rice as the carbohydrate source, to which enough sodium cyanide was added at feeding time to release 10.8 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg cooked food (for both, the daily dose was 1.08 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg body weight). The control group was fed this rice diet without added sodium cyanide. Nephrosis and changed plasma free amino acid profile were observed in the sodium cyanide-treated group, while no effect was observed in the plasma glutamyltransferase, ALAT, or isocitrate dehydrogenase activities or in the histology of the liver, kidney, or myocardium. Adrenal hyperplasia and hypertrophy and pancreatic necrosis and fibrosis were observed. (In contrast, the gari diet caused generalized congestion and haemorrhage, periportal vacuolation of the liver, swelling, vacuolation, and rupture of the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney, myocardial degeneration, adrenal gland degeneration, and pancreatic haemorrhage, necrosis, and fibrosis.) A

36% decrease in the serum T 3 concentration was noted, together with histological changes of the thyroid consistent with parenchymatous goitre. A significantly reduced frequency of testicular tubules in stage 8 of the spermatogenic cycle as well as marked testicular germ cell sloughing and degeneration were also observed.

7.3.2 Inhalation

7.3.2.1 Cyanogen

Groups of 30 male albino rats (Charles River) were each exposed for 6 months (6 h/day, 5 days/week) by inhalation to 0, 24, or 54 mg cyanogen/m 3 (corresponding to 0, 25, and 56 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 ). There were no effects on haematological or clinical chemistry parameters, gross pathology, or histopathology (liver, kidney, cardiovascular system) attributable to the cyanogen exposure. Body we ights were significantly lower in rats exposed to 54 mg cyanogen/m 3 than in the controls (Lewis et al., 1984).

In an inhalation study, groups of five rhesus monkeys ( Macacca mulatta ) were exposed to 24 or 54 mg cyanogen/m 3 for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 6 months.This corresponded to 25 and 56 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 . There were no effects on haematological orclinical chemistry parameters attributable to the inhalation exposure. Total lung moisture content was significantly lower in both treatment groups than in control animals (Lewis et al., 1984).

7.3.2.2 Acetone cyanohydrin

Sprague-Dawley rats (15 per sex and dose level) were exposed to ACH at concentrations of 0, 36, 101, or 204 mg ACH/m 3 , 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 14 weeks. The exposures were equivalent to 0, 11, 32, and 65 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 (Monsanto Co., 1984a). There were no treatment-related deaths or significant changes in body weight gain or haematology. Irritation of the nose and eyes was observed, but no more in exposed than in non-exposed animals. A decrease in blood glucose was recorded in high- and mid-exposure females, and a decrease in total serum protein andglobulin concentrations was noted in the mid- and lowdose females. A comprehensive microscopic evaluation of tissues revealed no abnormalities, and no changes in

serum T 3 or T 4 levels were observed. The NOAEL reported from the study was 204 mg ACH/m 3

, corresponding to 65 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 . This can be estimated to correspond to a daily dose of 15 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. 1

In the male fertility study described in section 7.6.1, no mortality, clinical signs of toxicity, changes in body weight, or changes in gross necropsy were observedafter 48 exposures to up to 202 mg ACH (64 mg hydrogen cyanide)/m 3 , 6 h/day, 5 days/week (Monsanto Co., 1985a).

In the female fertility study described in section 7.6.1, there was a dose-dependent increase in red nasal discharge of encrustation, but no other clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, changes in body weight, or changes in gross necropsy during or after 34–36 exposures to up to 207 mg ACH (66 mg hydrogen cyanide)/m 3 , 6 h/day, 7 days/week (Monsanto Co., 1985b).

1 Calculated with a minute volume of 175 ml/min and an average body weight of 275 g and assuming 100% absorption.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

22 7.4 Long-term exposure

Few data exist on the effects of chronic cyanide exposure. In a 2-year dietary study, weanling albino rats (10 per sex per group) were administered food fumigated with hydrogen cyanide (special jars were used in order to limit volatilization of hydrogen cyanide from the feed) (Howard & Hanzal, 1955). The average concentrations of cyanide in the feed were 0, 73, and 183 mg/kg diet, as estimated (US EPA, 1993b) based on the authors’ data for concentrations at the beginning and end of each food preparation and by assuming a first-order rate of loss for the intervening period and on the corresponding daily doses of 4.3 and 10.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. No treatment-related effects on survival or growthrate, signs of toxicity, or haematological or histopathological changes in the organs examined (heart, lung, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, adrenals, thyroid, testes, uterus, ovaries, cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain) were observed in the treated male or female animals. A NOAEL of 10.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day was established.

The effects of cyanide on thyroid function were investigated in groups of 10 male weanling rats fed a semipurified casein-based diet for 11.5 months either supplemented by added methionine, vitamin B 12 , and potassium iodide or without added vitamin B 12 and potassium iodide and with the methionine addition

restricted to a third. Both dietary groups were divided into three: one served as the control, the second received 1500 mg potassium cyanide/kg, and the third received 2240 mg potassium thiocyanate/kg. The rats given the potassium cyanide would have received doses of 30 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day. Cyanide, but not thiocyanate, caused a consistent reduction in weight gain in the complete and restricted diet fed animals. Both cyanide and thiocyanate caused decreased thyroid gland activity in young rats, particularly in those fed the restricted diet. Depression of both plasma T 4 and the T 4 secretion rate, suggestive of depressed thyroid function, was found at 4 months, but to a lesser degree after 1 year. At autopsy, the animals were found to have enlarged thyroids, which suggested a mechanism of adaptation (Philbrick et al., 1979).

In order to study the possible contribution of cyanide exposure to mal nutrition-related diabetes mellitus (see section 8), Okolie & Osagie (1999, 2000) fed New Zealand White rabbits potassium cyanide for 10 months (702 mg cyanide/kg diet, corresponding to approximately 20 mg/kg body weight per day). No effects were observed on the serum amylase activity, blood glucose concentration, or the morphology of the pancreas, while degenerative changes were reported in the liver and kidney. Similarly, 1-year feeding of cassava to rats induced no changes in blood glucose homeostasis or pancreatic histology (Mathangi et al., 2000). Because of the small group size and limited exposure time in most of them, these studies are not informative with regard to the possible carcinogenicity of cyanides.

7.5 Genotoxicity an d related end-points

Sodium cyanide was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100, TA1535, TA97, or TA98 with or without exogenous metabolic activation (NTP, 1993). Potassium cyanide was not mutagenic in five strains (TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100)

of S. typhimurium with or without metabolic activation (De Flora, 1981). Hydrogen cyanide induced mutations

in S. typhimurium TA100 in the absence of S9 activation, but was not mutagenic to strain TA98 with or without S9 activation (Kushi et al., 1983). ACH did not

induce mutations in S. typhimurium strains TA1535,TA1537, TA1538, TA100, or TA98 in a plate incorporation assay or at concentratons of 100–950 μg/ml in a CHO/HGPRT assay (Monsanto Co., 1983b,c).

DNA repair tests in Escherichia coli WP67, CM871, and WP2 with potassium cyanide were negative (De Flora et al., 1984). Potassium cyanide induced bothtime- and dose-dependent DNA fragmentation accompanied by cytotoxicity in rat thymocytes in vitro

. Cyanide also induced DNA damage in baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21) in vitro , where, unlike thymocytes, internucleosome DNA fragmentation was not observed (Bhattacharya & Rao, 1997). The cytotoxic mode of double strand breaks in the pathogenesis of DNA fragmentation was studied by Vock et al. (1998),employing an A549 human epithelial-like lung carcinoma cell line treated with potassium cyanide. Induction of double strand breaks by potassium cyanide was observed only after cell viability was reduced to less than 60%, indicating that double strand breaks were the consequence of extragenomic damage, as a secondary effect of high cytotoxicity in combination with cell lethality.

Sodium cyanide was a highly effective inducer of germline aneuploidy in Drosophila (Osgood & Sterling, 1991).

No statistically significant increases in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations or changes in mitotic index compared with control values were found in bone marrow cells from four groups of 24 male and 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats administered a single dose of ACH by oral gavage at levels of 0, 1.5, 5, or 15 mg/kg body weight with preparation intervals of 6, 12, and 24 h post-administration (Monsanto Co., 1984b).

No testicular DNA synthesis inhibition was detected in mice after a single oral potassium cyanide dose of 1 mg/kg body weight (Friedman & Staub, 1976).Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

23 7.6 Reproductive and developmental toxicity

Relatively few data are available on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of cyanides. No reproductive and developmental toxicity studies are available for hydrogen cyanide.

7.6.1 Effects on fertility

After 2 weeks on a diet containing 5 or 10 g potassium cyanide/100 g diet, female rats (10 per group) were mated with untreated males. No pregnancies resulted. The dose corresponds roughly to 1000 and 2000 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day (Olusi et al., 1979). There was a dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain, blood haemoglobin (18% and 23%), and

serum T 4 concentration (54% and 75%).

In a male fertility study (Monsanto Co., 1985a), Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 15) were exposed by inhalation to ACH (0, 35, 101, or 202 mg/m 3 ; 0, 11, 32, or 64 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 ), 6 h/day, 5 days/week, during a period of 69 days (i.e., 48 exposure days). After the treatment period, the males were mated with three non-exposed females each. There were no effects on themean body weight, clinical signs of toxicity, or anatomical changes in gross necropsy. The mating efficiency, number of live implants, and pre- and post-implantation

losses were not different between treated and control

groups.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed by inhalation (6 h/day, 7 days/week) for 21 days to ACH at at 38, 108, or 207 mg/m 3 and then mated with untreated males. Exposure of the females, which was equivalent to 12, 34, and 66 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 , was continued until the day of mating, and the females were sacrificedat mid-gestation (gestation days 13–15). No treatmentrelated effects on female fertility were observed in any of the exposure groups. The only frequently observed clinical sign post-exposure was red nasal discharge or encrustation. The highest exposure in the study could be considered as the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for female reproductive effects (Monsanto Co., 1985b).

7.6.2 Developmental toxicity

Preliminary experiments with pregnant Golden Syrian hamsters showed that at a dose rate of 0.125 mmol/kg body weight per hour, no effects on the fetus were observed, while at a dose rate of 0.133 mmol/kg body weight per hour or more, there was a 100% resorption rate and maternal deaths. Toxicity to dams increased with increasing dose levels and includedshortness of breath, incoordination, reduced body temperature, and loss of body weight. Co-administration of thiosulfate eliminated the teratogenic effect, protecting the dams and fetuses from the toxic effects of cyanide (Doherty et al., 1982). In a follow-up experiment, pregnant Golden Syrian hamsters (5–7 animals per group) were continuously exposed to sodium cyanide from day 6 to day 9 of gestation at 0, 0.126, 0.1275, or 0.1295 mmol/kg body weight per hour by using osmotic minipumps implanted subcutaneously. These doses are equivalent to 0, 3.28, 3.32, and 3.37 mg cyanide/kg body weight per hour or 0, 78.7, 79.6, and 80.9 mg/kg body weight per day. The treatment induced a remarkable increase in resorptions as well as fetal malformations.These included non-closure of the neural tube, exencephaly, encephalocoele, and malformations of the heart and limbs or tail (Doherty et al., 1982).

Pregnant Wistar rats (10 animals per group) were fed a cassava diet liberating 21 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg diet, fortified with 500 mg potassium cyanide/kg diet, throughout gestation and lactation. This is equivalent to an estimated daily dose of 16 mg cyanide/kg body weight. No effects were observed on the number, mortality at birth, or body weight of offspring or weight gain of pups during lactation (Tewe & Maner, 1981a).

In equivalent studies with pregnant Yorkshire pigs, three groups of six animals were given potassium cyanide in the diet (30.3, 277, or 521 mg cyanide/kg diet) 1 throughout gestation. No effects were seen on the number or weight of offspring or subsequent lactational performance. Pregnant sows treated at the highest dose level had proliferative changes in the kidney glomeruli and increased thyroid weights. Fetal spleen to bodyweight and head to body weight ratios in the highcyanide group were significantly reduced ( P > 0.05) compared with the low-cyanide exposed group (Tewe & Maner, 1981b).

In a preliminary study with limited experimental details, pregnant albino rats were fed milled cassava powder as 50% and 80% of their diet during the 15 days of gestation. Growth retardation and an increased frequency of resorptions were observed at both dose levels; in addition, limb defects were observed at the high dose. The weight gain of the dams was lowered; no further information on maternal toxicity was given. No indication of the cyanide content of the cassava diet was given. The effects observed may have resulted from nutritional deficiencies, such as the low protein content of cassava (Singh, 1981).

Groups of pregnant hamsters were fed dietsconsisting of two types of cassava meal, either a “lowcyanide” (sweet cassava meal) or a “high-cyanide” (bitter cassava meal) variety. These were mixed (80:20)

1 From the weight of the gilts and the daily feed intake, it can be roughly estimated that the daily dose of cyanide was 1, 7, and 19 mg/kg body weight.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

24 with laboratory chow and administered on days 3–14 of gestation. The cyanide concentration of the sweet

cassava meals was 0.6–0.7 mmo l/kg; that of the bitter cassava meal was 5–11 (mean 7.9) mmol/kg. 1 Cassavafed dams gained significantly less weight than did control animals (fed diet similar in nutritional value as cassava, but without cyanogenic glycosides), and their offspring showed evidence of fetotoxicity (reduced fetal body weight and reduced os sification of sacrocaudal vertebrae, metatarsals, and sternebrae). The bitter cassava also produced a significant increase in the number of runts compared with litters from dams fed either low-protein 2 or laboratory-stock diets. The only teratogenic effects noted were hydrocephalus in three animals in the low-cyanide (sweet cassava) test groupand one encephalocoele found in one animal in the highcyanide (bitter cassava) test gr oup (Frakes et al., 1986b).

In a teratogenicity study, hamsters were given a single oral dose of linamarin (0, 70, 100, 120, or 140 mg/kg body weight, correspon ding to 0, 7.4, 11, 13, or 15 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day) on day 8 of the pregnancy. The animals were killed on day 15 of the pregnancy, and the numbers of resorption sites, dead fetuses, and living fetuses were recorded. Living fetuses were examined for gross external malformations and for internal malformations using histopathological methods.

Linamarin had no effect on fetal body weight, ossification, embryonic mortality, or litter size. At the two highest doses, which caused overt maternal toxicity(dyspnoea, hyperpnoea, ataxia, tremor, and hypothermia), vertebral and rib anomalies and encephalocoeles were observed (Frakes et al., 1985).

A single oral dose of D

, L -amygdalin at gestational day 8 resulted in exencephaly, encephalocoele, and

skeletal malformations at doses of ≥ 250 mg/kg body weight ( ≥ 14 mg cyanide/kg body weight) in hamsters (these doses were also clearly toxic to the mothers). At the lowest dose tested, 200 mg/kg body weight (11 mg cyanide/kg body weight), fused ribs were observed in two offspring of one mother (maternal toxicity not reported). Encephalocoele and rib anomalies were also

observed after a dose of D -prunasin (177 mg/kg body weight [16 mg cyanide/kg body weight]) in the absence of maternal toxicity in hamsters. No teratogenic effects

were noted when hamsters received D

, L -amygdalin (275 mg/kg body weight [16 mg cyanide/kg body weight]) intravenously (Willhite, 1982). The teratogenic effects found were considered to be due to cyanide

1 If the hamsters weighed 110 g at the beginning of the experiment, this would lead to a daily dose of cyanide of 1 and 15 mg/kg body weight in the sweet and bitter cassava groups, respectively.

2 Diet formulated to simulate the cassava diet with a low (4%) protein content, in contrast to the 25% protein content in the standard laboratory diet. released by bacterial β -glucosidase in the gastrointestinal tract (Willhite, 1982).

Groups of 25 pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed by gavage on days 6–15 of gestation with 0, 1, 3, or 10 mg ACH/kg body weight (equivalent to 0, 0.3, 0.9, or 3 mg cyanide/kg body weight). Maternal toxicity was evidenced by slight reductions in body weight gain in the mid- and high-exposure groups, and statistically significant differences between the high-dose group and controls were found for the number of corpora lutea implantations per dam. There were no comparable differences in the number of viable fetuses per dam, post-implantation losses per dam, mean fetal body weight, or fetal sex distribution for all dose groups and

the controls. The incidences of fetal malformations and developmental variations for all fetuses of treated animals and controls were also comparable. It was concluded that 10 mg ACH/kg body weight (3 mg cyanide/kg body weight) was not teratogenic in the rat in the presence of maternal toxicity (Monsanto Co., 1982, 1983a).

7.7 Neurotoxicity

The effects of cyanide on behaviour were studied in fasted 25-week-old miniature pigs (12 litter mates: 5 females and 7 castrated males) randomized in four groups. The animals were dosed daily for 24 weeks with a single bolus of cyanide as aqueous potassium cyanide just prior to the daily feeding. The doses were 0, 0.4, 0.7,or 1.2 mg cyanide/kg body weight, chosen to be equivalent to those consumed by West Africans in their diet (Jackson et al., 1985). Every 6 weeks, thyroid function (T 3 and T 4 ) and fasting blood glucose were measured, but not thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Daily observations were made of clinical signs and variousbehavioural measurements, including social, antagonistic, exploratory, learning, feeding, and excretory behaviour. In all treatment groups, dose-related

decreases were evident from week 6 in blood levels of

T 3 and T 4 , and an increase in fasting blood glucose was noted, particularly in top-dose animals. Statistical analysis was not provided for each dose group versus control, but changes in top-dose animals appeared significant by week 18; by week 24, decreases of 35%

for T 3 and 15% for T 4 and an increase of 60% in fasting blood glucose were observed. Behavioural observations revealed a picture of decreased high energy-demanding behaviour, such as exploration and aggression, slower eating, more frequent drinking, and shivering consistent with the decreased thyroid activity. A LOAEL of 1.2 mg/kg body weight per day could be suggested from this study (Jackson, 1988).

Dogs administered sodium cyanide in capsules at levels of 0, 0.5, 2, or 1–4 mg/kg body weight (one dog at each dose level) daily for 13–15 months showed severeHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

25 signs of acute cyanide poisoning right after the daily dosing (the dog at the lowest dose died). In the autopsy, the only significant findings were degenerative changes in ganglia cells of the central nervous system, interpreted to be caused by multiple episodes of acute cerebral hypoxia (Hertting et al., 1960).

Transient behavioural changes in monkeys but not in rats exposed for 6 months to 54 mg cyanogen/m 3 have been reported (Lewis et al., 1984).

Potentiation to noise-induced hearing loss by exposure of rats to low concentrations of hydrogen cyanide was reported by Fechter et al. (2002). It was suggested that hydrogen cyanide (34 mg/m 3 for 3.5 h) plus noise produced impaired auditory function by producing significant oxidative stress in the cochlea. Hydrogen cyanide alone did not cause significant hearing loss or hair cell loss.

A single intraperitoneal dose and 25 repeated intraperitoneal doses of sodium cyanide (2 mg/kg bodyweight [1 mg cyanide/kg body weight]), stated to represent 25% of the LD 50 , administered to Wistar strainalbino rats resulted in similar reductions of memory (Tmaze test), along with reduc tions in the levels of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine and increases innorepinephrine and epinephrine levels in the hippocampus, measured after a month of treatment (Mathangi & Namasivayam, 2000).

7.8 Irritation and sensitization

Local effects of cyanides on the eye are demonstrated by conjunctival hyperaemia with mild chemosis, lacrimation, photophobia, and tingling sensation (IPCS, 1992). No information was located on the sensitizing capacity of cyanides.

7.9 Mode of action

As a respiratory poison, free cyanide (hydrogen cyanide or cyanide ion) has high acute toxicity due to its primary toxic effect of inhibiting cytochrome oxidase (by binding haem iron), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Isom & Way, 1974). Tissue utilization of oxygen is impaired, and, with time, a state of histotoxic anoxia occurs (oxidative metabolism is brought to complete cessation). Cyanide can also inhibit approximately 40 enzymes, including a number of other important metalloenzymes containing, for the most part, iron, copper, or molybdenum (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and succinic dehydrogenase); these reactions may also contribute to cyanide toxicity (Rieders, 1971; Ardelt et al., 1989; US EPA, 1990; ATSDR, 1997). Due to its high dependency on oxidative metabolism and limited anaerobic capacity, the central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to cyanide intoxication (Way, 1984). The central nervous system symptoms observed in cyanide toxicity parallel those observedfollowing accumulation of calcium in the brain. Potassium cyanide also alters calcium homeostasis in a neuronal model, the PC-12 cell, and cytosolic calcium ion overload has been implicated as an intracellular mediator of cellular injury during and after anoxic hypoxia (Maduh et al., 1988; Pettersen & Cohen, 1993).

Hydroperoxide generation with subsequent peroxidation of lipids and subsequent changes in

structure and function of certain membranes have been suggested as a possible further mechanism of cyanide toxicity (Ardelt et al., 1989).

A number of animal and human cyanide and cyanogenic glycoside toxicological studies have cited evidence of poor diet, low protein, and vitamin B 12 and folic acid deficiencies and suggested that these factors may have confounded or exacerbated the observed toxicities. Although the role of vitamin B 12 deficiency, for example, has not been fully elaborated, it has been suggested that vitamin B 12 may be a protective factor in cyanide neurotoxic effects. Experimentally, vitamin B 12 restriction is hypothesized to sensitize the animal to cyanide toxic reactions (Philbrick et al., 1979). Onestudy has demonstrated depletion of stores of proteinbound cobalamin in cyanide-treated animals, and it is theoretically possible that cyanide exposure might

“chelate” vitamin B 12 , leading to its eventual depletion and to secondary folate effects (Blanc et al., 1985).



### 8. EFFECTS ON HUMANS

8.1 General population

8.1.1 Exposure to cyanides

The dose–effect curve of the acute effects in humans is steep. Whereas slight effects occur at exposure to hydrogen cyanide levels of 20–40 mg/m 3

, 50–60 mg/m 3 can be tolerated without immediate or late effects for 20 min to 1 h, 120–150 mg/m 3 is dangerous to life and may lead to death after 0.5–1 h, 150 mg/m 3 is likely to be fatal within 30 min, 200 mg/m 3 is likely to be fatal after 10 min, and 300 mg/m 3 is immediately fatal. It should be emphasized that this represents crude average exposure estimates, based on various studies (DECOS, 2002).Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

26 A fire fatalities study in Maryland, USA, covering mostly residential fires over a 6-year period during which 523 fire fatalities occurred as a result of 392 fires, was reported by Birky & Clarke (1981). Although the predominant cause of deat h was attributed to carbon monoxide, toxic levels of hydrogen cyanide were found in the blood of a substantial percentage of the victims. A study of blood cyanide and carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations in 18 victims found dead in buildings

after fires indicated that 50% of the victims had been exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen cyanide and 90% to toxic levels of carbon monoxide (Lundquist et al., 1989). Eighty-eight per cent of the fatalities in fire deaths in Glasgow, Scotland, during the period 1976–1979 had elevated blood cyanide levels; 31% had toxic levels of cyanide, and 12% would have shown severe cyanide poisoning (Anderson & Harland, 1982). Alarie (2002) reviewed the carboxyhaemoglobin and cyanide in blood of fire and non-fire victims resulting from 15 major episodes during the years 1971–1990 in France, the USA, and the United Kingdom. Analysis revealed that hydrogen cyanide is likely to be present in appreciable

amounts in the blood of fire victims in modern fires. A

review of the resultant mechanism of action of acute carbon monoxide and cyanide exposure and how they may interact concluded that it remains difficult to attribute death in fires to inhalation of hydrogen cyanide

per se , given the complexity of interactions of smoke components (principally carbon monoxide).

Acute exposure to cyanide has occurred most frequently by the oral route from attempted suicides and homicides by ingestion of sodium or potassium cyanide or by accidental poisonings due to ingestion of apricot kernels or almond seeds (Rieders, 1971; NIOSH, 1976; US EPA, 1990; ATSDR, 1991; Alarie, 2002). Based onanalyses of cyanide contents in tissues and in gastrointestinal tract contents among fatal (oral) poisoning cases (and comparative kinetics with dogs), Gettler &Baine (1938) estimated that death occurred after absorption of an average of 1.4 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg body weight; the lowest fatal absorbed dose was 0.54 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg body weight. In most poisoning cases, a large part of the ingested cyanide remained in the gastrointestinal tract (thus, using the dose ingested as an indicator of the lethality of cyanide is misleading). Some individuals ingesting 1–3 g of cyanide salts have survived (ATSDR, 1991).

The effects of acute cyanide exposure are dominatedby central nervous system and cardiovascular disturbances (ATSDR, 1991). Typical signs of acute cyanide poisoning include tachypnoea, headache, vertigo, lack of motor coordination, weak pulse, cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, stupor, convulsions, and coma (Ballantyne,1983b; Way, 1984; Johnson & Mellors, 1988). Pathological findings may include tracheal congestion with haemorrhage, cerebral and pulmonary oedema, gastric erosions, and petechiae of the brain meninges and pericardium (Way, 1984). Sequelae of severe acute cyanide exposure may also include Parkinson-likesyndromes and cardiovascular signs of delayed posthypoxic myocardial lesions, as well as neuropsychiatric manifestations similar to those seen with post-hypoxic post-carbon monoxide encephalopathy (Uitti et al., 1985; Carella et al., 1988; Kadushin et al., 1988; ATSDR, 1991).

Dermal absorption of hydrogen cyanide is much slower than pulmonary absorption, and the amount and speed of absorption through human skin are dependent

on the amount of skin moisture and duration of skin contact (see also section 6.1). An average LD 50 value fordermal exposure of 100 mg/kg body weight was estimated for humans (Rieders, 1971). Concentrations of 7000–12 000 mg/m 3 were estimated to be fatal after a 5- min exposure of workers with self-contained respirators without effective skin protection (Minkina, 1988).

Even healthy individuals have a small amount of cyanide in their bodies; concentrations up to 50 μg/100 g tissue have been found in different organs. A survey of plasma cyanide levels in 10 cases showed a maximum level of 106 μg/litre, with a mean of 48 μg/litre. Thepresence of cyanides in the plasma among “nonexposed” people has been variously attributed to factors including the breakdown of cyanogenic foods, vitamin

B 12 , and heavy smoking (Ansell & Lewis, 1970).

No additive or synergistic effect was observed in the fatalities between cyanide and other factors, such as carbon monoxide, alcohol, age of victims, and presence of heart disease (US EPA, 1990).

Among patients with a serious hypertensive disease, intravenous administration of sodium nitroprusside was reported to lead to lowered serum T 4 levels in approximately two-thirds of the patients; this effect became apparent at serum thiocyanate levels in excess of approximately 18 mg/litre, which was reported to correspond approximately to a daily dose of 200 mg sodium nitroprusside (20 mg cyanide) (Bödigheimer et al., 1979). Elevation of cyanide levels in blood wasobserved in patients receiving more than 2 μg nitroprusside/kg body weight per hour intravenously (Schultz et al., 1982).

Cyanide in tobacco smoke together with large amounts of alcohol and malnutrition have been proposed as culprits in tobacco–alcohol amblyopia, a syndrome at present seldom seen in Western countries, but still occasionally reported elsewhere (Solberg et al., 1998).Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

27 8.1.2 Food containing cyanogenic glycosides

Although acute cassava poisoning — sometimes leading to the death of whole families — has beenoccasionally reported after the consumption of inadequately processed cassava (Osuntokun, 1981; Cliff & Countinho, 1995), a much larg er literature is available on the effects of long-term exposure to food containingcyanogenic glycosides. Clinical signs are often confounded by dietary deficiencies, including lack of protein, iodine, and vitamin B 12

.

Accidental poisonings have been reported in children (and, exceptionally, in adults) who had ingested apricot kernels or seeds or candy made from apricot kernels containing D

, L -amygdalin, which, after hydrolysis, yields cyanide (Sayre & Kaymakcalan, 1964; Lasch & El Shawa, 1981; Suchard et al., 1998). Presumably because of lower body weight, children are especially vulnerable, with several fatal poisonings occurring after they had consumed apricot seeds. It has been estimated that, depending on the total cyanogenic potential of apricot seeds, 10 or more seeds could be fatal to a child (Nahrstedt, 1993).

Accidental choke cherry poisonings (attributed to

D

, L -amygdalin) have also been reported (Pijoan, 1942; Pentore et al., 1996). Pentore et al. (1996) described acase of a 56-year-old woman in Italy who was accidentally poisoned when she ingested choke cherries whose pulp contained cyanide (amygdalin). After recovery from coma, the patient showed signs resembling Parkinson disease, retrobulbar neuritis, and sensorimotor neuropathy. The choke cherries showed cyanide levels ranging from 4.7 to 15 mg/kg in the cherries and from 43 to 45 mg/kg in the spirit. The quantity of cyanide was reported to depend on the ripeness of the cherries and the year in which they were harvested.

Consumption of food containing cyanogenic glycosides has been linked to several different diseases affecting mainly the nervous system, such as tropical ataxicneuropathy in Nigeria, spastic paraparesis (called mantakassa in Mozambique and konzo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), as well as retrobulbar neuritis and optic atrophy associated with pernicious anaemia. Cyanides have also been implicated in tobacco–alcohol amblyopia and thyroid effects such as goitre and even cretinis m (Osuntokun et al., 1969; Ermans et al., 1972; Makene & Osuntokun, 1972, 1980; Wilson, 1972, 1983; Howlett et al., 1990; US EPA, 1990; ATSDR, 1991; Tylleskär et al., 1994; Boivin, 1997; Lantum, 1998; Ernesto et al., 2002).

Tropical ataxic neuropathy, an upper motor neuron disease characterized by irreversible paraparesis (Ernesto et al., 2002), was described in Nigeria in the 1930s, and dietary cassava was proposed to be the causative factor in 1934. The essential neurological components of the disease are myelopathy, bilateraloptic atrophy, bilateral perceptive deafness, and polyneuropathy. The peak incidence is in the 5th and 6th decades of life, and the disease occurs rarely in children under 10 years of age. Patients usually give a history of almost total dependence on a monotonous diet of cassava derivatives. The plasma thiocyanate level in patients within 48 h of admission to hospital was 113 ± 0.2 μmol/litre, while in the referents it was 2.4 ± 0.15 μmol/litre (Osuntokun, 1981). However, the role of cyanide exposure as the only causative agent in tropical neuropathy is made questionable by the finding that when comparing two villages in Nigeria, one with a high prevalence (490/10 000) of tropical ataxic neuropathy and another with a low prevalence (17/10 000) (giving an age-adjusted prevalence ratio of 4), the estimated intake of cassava foods was higher in the latter, and no difference was observed in the urinary thiocyanate excretion between the two villages (Oluwole et al., 2002).

An epidemic of spastic paraparesis occurred in a drought-stricken cassava staple area of Mozambique in 1981–1982. Altogether, 1102 cases were identified. The highest recorded village prevalence rate found by active case detection was 29 per 1000 inhabitants; 65% of the cases were under 15 years of age. In contrast to tropical neuropathy, the onset of mantakassa was acute. General symptoms around the time of onset included fever, pain(especially in the legs), paraesthesiae, headache, dizziness, and vomiting; many patients also complained of weakness in the arms and difficulty in speaking and inseeing. Some mothers said that their children had difficulty in hearing. Neurological investigation revealed symmetrical spastic paraparesis of the lower extremities, symmetrically increased upper limb reflexes, diminished visual acuity, and dysarthria. Some of the patients had sensory changes as well. The mean hydrogen cyanide contents (mg/kg) of cassava from the affected area were as follows: fresh bitter cassava leaves, 377; fresh sweet cassava leaves, 347; fresh bitter cassava roots, 327; fresh sweet cassava roots, 138; dried bitter cassava roots, 95; dried sweet cassava roots, 46; cassava flour, 40; and cooked cassava, 10. The estimated intake of cyanide was14–30 mg/day. The mean thiocyanate level in 246 specimens of blood and serum from patients from the whole area was 330 μmol/litre. In th e village with the most patients, the mean thiocyanate level among the patients was 324 ± 18 μmol/litre, while 22 controls from this village showed serum thio cyanate levels of 288 ± 23 μmol/litre. There was no correlation between the disease severity and serum thiocyanate level. Also, because ofthe drought, there was a general lack of food, specifically of protein-rich f ood, with many cases ofConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

28 kwashiorkor 1 appearing in February 1982 (Ministry of Health, Mozambique, 1984a,b).

Outbreaks of konzo have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) since 1938. The outbreaks have occurred during droughts and dry seasons. Again, the affected populations have relied almost exclusively on bitter cassava roots as the staple food (Tylleskär et al., 1991, 1992). In konzo-affected v illages, the u rinary thiocyanate levels were 563–629 μmol/litre during the dry season and 344–381 μmol/litre during the wet season; in reference villages without konzo, the levels were onaverage 241 μmol/litre. However, the urinary concentrations of linamarin showed a closer association with the disease than those of thiocyanate, and the authors interpreted it to indicate that more important thancyanide in the causation of konzo might be the neurotoxic action of linamarin itself (Banea-Mayambu et al., 1997).

Iodine deficiency and goitre, hypothyroidism, and cretinism are endemic in many areas of Africa. Several surveys in the endemic areas have demonstrated thatthere is also a strong correlation between cassava consumption and the thyroid effects (Delange & Ermans, 1971; Delange et al., 1971; Ermans et al., 1972; JECFA,1993; Abuye et al., 1998). A cassava meal also diminished the uptake of 131 I in the thyroid (Delange et al., 1971). A study in rural Mozambique found that in a population suffering from endemic spastic paraparesis,adequate iodine intake mitigated against the development of hypothyroidism or goitre, and high levels of dietary cyanogenic glycosides fom cassava could be tolerated (Cliff et al., 1986).

Originally based on a geographical link between the prevalence of diabetes and cassava consumption (McGlashan, 1967), dietary exposure to cyanides has

been linked to the malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (WHO, 1985), also known as the “type-J” or “type-Z” diabetes (Hugh-Jones, 1955; Zuidema, 1959). The very existence of this third type of diabetes (in addition to the juvenile-onset and maturity-onset types) has been controversial (Gill, 1996), and not all studies have detected a relationship between cassava consumption and diabetes prevalence (Cooles, 1988; Swai et al., 1992). The results of the standard glucose tolerance test were no more often abnormal among 88 Nigerianpatients with tropical neuropathy than among 88 referents (Famuyiwa et al., 1995).

8.2 Occupational exposure

Chronic occupational exposure to hydrogen cyanide

per se resulting in serious injury is rather rare.

1 Form of malnutrition caused by inadequate protein intake. Symptoms of such poisonings include headache, dizziness, confusion, muscular weakness, poor vision, slurred speech, gastrointestinal tract disturbances, trauma, and enlarged thyroid.

A cross-sectional study was performed on the health effects of long-term cyanide exposure from a plating bath that contained 3% copper cyanide, 3% sodium cyanide, and 1% sodium chloride in the electroplating sections of three factories in Egypt that employed 36 male workers (non-smokers) with 5–15 years of experience; cyanide concentrations in the breathing zones of workers (15-min averaging time) ranged from 5 to 14 mg/m 3 , the averages in the three factories being 12, 7, and 9 mg/m 3 at the time of the study. There was also exposure to petrol fumes, solutions of strong soap and alkalis, and hydrochloric acid. The exposed group reported symptoms such as headache, weakness, changes in taste and smell, giddiness, irritation of the throat, vomiting, effort dyspnoea, lacrimation, salivation, and precordial pain more frequently than controls. Twenty ofthe exposed workers (56%) exhibited thyroid enlargement to a mild or moderate degree. None of the workers had clinical manifestations of hypo- or hyperthyroidism,but the exposed group showed a lower uptake of radiolabelled iodine in the thyroid; there was no difference in the protein-bound 131 I. The exposed workers had significantly higher haemoglobin and cyanomethaemoglobin values and lymphocyte counts compared with 20 male unexposed controls. Punctate basophilia of erythrocytes was present in 28 of 36 subjects (El Ghawabi et al., 1975). The contribution of the other exposures to the findings is difficult to discern.

A retrospective examination employing a questionnaire was performed with 36 former male workers (employees who could be reached and who volunteered, out of an unknown number of people actually employed) of a silver-reclaiming facility in the USA in 1983, which

had been closed after the death of a worker because of cyanide poisoning. The only quantitative information on the concentrations of cyanide in the air came from a 24-h measurement 1 day after the factory had been closed; it was 17 mg/m 3 . The study revealed a high prevalence of symptoms, including eye irritation, fatigue, dizziness, headache, disturbed sleep, ringing in ears, paraesthesia of extremities, nausea, vomiting, dyspnoea, chest pain, palpitation, and weight loss (about 14% of workers reported palpitations, and 31% reported chest pain).

Mild subclinical abnormalities in vitamin B 12 , folate,

TSH levels, and thyroid function were found in silverreclaiming workers 7 months after cyanide exposure had ceased. It was noted that inhalation of hydrogen cyanide was not the only possible route of exposure of these workers in this occupational setting, as the questionnaire disclosed that more than half reported frequent direct contact with liquids containing cyanide and 22% of exposed workers were at risk of inadvertent cyanideHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

29 ingestion from food and drink in the production area (Blanc et al., 1985).

Effects of occupational exposure (5–19 years) of 111 workers and 30 non-exposed referents to hydrogen cyanide were studied in two large case-hardening and electroplating facilities in India (Chandra et al., 1988).From a daily work profile and air cyanide measurements, the workers were categorized in exposure groups between 1.11 and 4.66 “cyanide-hours” (mg/m 3 × h). An

abnormal psychological test result overall score (composite score of “delayed memory, visual ability, visual learning, and psychomotor ability”) was observed in 31.5% of the exposed subjects, and an increase in the overall number of symptoms (headaches/heaviness in head, giddiness, lacrimation, itching of eyes, congestion of eyes, coated tongue) was found in 12.5% of theexposed workers. “Moderate” impairment in healthrelated scores showed an increase (no statistical analysis) at exposure levels in excess of 2.5 mg/m 3 × h in one factory and 4.35 mg/m 3 × h in the other, while findings classified as “diseased” were observed at levels in excess of 2.9 mg/m 3 × h. The authors did not provide the incidences of these findings among referents or actual measurements of cyanide concentrations in theair, and few details on the carrying out of the investigations were given. 1

Thiocyanate, the major detoxification product of cyanide, prevents the uptake of iodine and acts as a goitrogenic agent. This effect is more pronounced inindividuals with decreased capacity to excrete thiocyanate in urine due to kidney dysfunction, etc. (VanderLaan & Bissell, 1946; Schultz, 1984; US EPA, 1990; ATSDR, 1993).

Banerjee et al. (1997) reported a study of 35 male cyanide workers (of 201 male workers) who had worked in an Indian electroplating process of a cable industry for more than 5 consecutive years. Thirty-five non-exposed workers who had worked outside the manufacturing building were matched with the exposed workers for ageand dietary habits. The mean serum thiocyanate concentration of the 35 non-smoking exposed employees was 316 ± 15 μmol/litre, which wa s significantly higher ( P <0.01) than that of the control subjects (90 ± 9.02 μmol/litre). Cyanide exposure resulted in a decrease of serum T 4 and T 3 concentrations ( P < 0.05) and an increase in TSH concentration ( P < 0.05) compared with the control subjects.

A case of cerebrovascular accident and hyperthyroidism with struma and another with struma and hypothyroidism were reported among metal case-

1 Apparently as a typographical error, all referents were also

listed as “diseased.” hardeners. No information on the level of exposure to cyanide was given (Hardy et al., 1950).

Leeser et al. (1990) reported a cross-sectional study, carried out between April and September 1986, of the health of sodium, copper, and potassium cyanide salt production workers from plants in a facility in the United Kingdom. Sixty-three employees from these cyanide salt plants were compared in a controlled study with 100 employees from a diphenyl oxide plant in the same facility. The breathing-zone cyanide concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 3.6 mg/m 3 . Cyanide workers

were examined before and after a block of six shifts in the spring and autumn, while diphenyl oxide workerswere seen during their shifts. Haemoglobin and lymphocyte levels tended to be higher in the cyanide workers, although neither was pathologically raised, and no relationship between exposure and haematological findings was found. The absence of a dose–response relationship would suggest that cyanide work was not causal. Thyroid function was normal in both groups, and no goitres were found. Vitamin B 12 and T 4 levels revealed no differences between cyanide and diphenyl oxide exposure groups.

Biochemical effects of occupational and dietary exposure to cyanide were investigated in a preliminary study of cyanide poisoning from large-scale cassava processing and ingestion of cassava foods in Nigeria (Okafor et al., 2002). The study population included 20 volunteers (female non-smokers, 24–50 years old and without overt signs of sickness or disease; 10 were cassava processors, 5 were “frequent” consumers of cassava, and 5 were “infrequent” consumers of cassava). The mean urinary thiocyanate level of the cassava processors (mean ± SD: 153.50 ± 25.2 μmol/litre) was 2.2 and 2.6 times higher than that of frequent (mean ± SD: 70.1 ± 21.8 μmol/litre) and infrequent (mean ± SD: 59.3 ± 17.0 μmol/litre) cassava consumers, respectively. An increase in plasma activity by 10% above normal ASAT (not statistically significant) was observed in 40% of the cassava processors, whereas it was within normal range in all consumers. No change was observed in the ALAT, alkaline phosphatase, or serum creatinine values.

There are no reported data on the carcinogenicity of cyanides in exposed human populations.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61



### 30 

### 9. HEALTH EFFECTS EVALUATION

9.1 Hazard identification and dose– response assessment

The principal features of the toxicity profile for cyanide are its high acute toxicity with a very steep dose–effect curve and chronic toxicity, probably mediated through the main metabolite and detoxification product, thiocyanate.

Consistent with the results of studies in experimental animals, available data from case reports and the limited data from occupationally exposed populationsand populations principally exposed to dietary cyanogenic glycosides from consumption of cassava indicate that the cardiovascular, respiratory, central nervous, and endocrine systems are the major targets of acute and chronic cyanide exposure by all routes.

The generally similar toxic effects of cyanide, whether acute or chronic, in animals and humans are believed to result primarily from inhibition of cellular respiration and consequent histotoxic anoxia. Effects on the thyroid resulting from long-term exposure are likely to be caused by thiocyanate.

Human data on the concentration–effect relationship for acute cyanide toxicity are derived principally from case-studies of poisonings (accidental or intentional); as a result, characterization of concentration–response is uncertain. Whereas slight effects occur at inhalation exposure levels of 20–40 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### , 50– 60 mg/m 3 

### can be tolerated without immediate or late effects for 20 min to 1 h, 120–150 mg/m 3 

### may lead to death after 0.5–1 h, 150 mg/m 3 

### is likely to be fatal within 30 min, 200 mg/m 3 

### is likely to be fatal after 10 min, and 300 mg/m 3 

### is immediately fatal (DECOS, 2002). Based on analyses of cyanide contents in tissues and in gastrointestinal tract contents from fatal poisoning cases (and comparative kinetics with dogs), Gettler &Baine (1938) estimated that death occurred after absorption of an average of 1.4 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg body weight; the lowest fatal absorbed dose was 0.54 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg body weight. Fatal intoxicationshave been reported after ingestion of apricot pits containing cyanogenic glycosides, especially in children.

Intravenous administration of nitroprusside, which liberates cyanide, has been reported to affect thyroid function in patients (Bödigheimer et al., 1979). In some (but not all) studies, thyroid dysfunction and goitre have been reported among cyanide-exposed workers (El Ghawabi et al., 1975; Blanc et al., 1985; Leeser et al., 1990; Banerjee et al., 1997). Thyroid dysfunction insome of these individuals was reported to be accompanied by neurological symptoms, including headache, dizziness, and confusion, as well as mild subclinical

abnormalities in vitamin B 12 

### and folate (El Ghawabi et al., 1975; Blanc et al., 1985). Although this neurological and thyroid gland damage could not be unequivocally ascribed to cyanide, since other exposures may have occurred, the similarity of these lesions in humans to those produced in experimental animals treated with cyanide makes a strong case for the role of cyanide in these conditions. Limited information on exposure and confounding factors precludes the use of studies on people exposed at work in hazard characterization.

Long-term consumption of cassava containing highlevels of cyanogenic glycosides, usually when constituting the principal source of calories, and associated with malnutrition and protein and vitamin deficiencies, has been associated with neurological diseases involvingtropical ataxic neuropathy and endemic spastic paraparesis. In areas with low iodine intake, development of hypothyroidism and goitre, sometimes accompanied bythe neurological diseases, has also been linked to cassava. While daily cyanide exposure has been crudely estimated to be 15–50 mg/day in endemic areas, owing to the limitations of data on exposure, which is likely tobe quite variable, and the potential impact of confounders, such as general malnutrition, low protein content of the diet, and iodine status, the available data do not provide meaningful information on dose–response for cyanide.

By extrapolating from time to death at different concentrations in single inhalation exposures, maximal non-lethal concentrations for dogs, rats, mice, rabbits, monkeys, cats, goats, and guinea-pigs were estimated to be 100–180 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### (Barcroft, 1931).

Cyanide is slightly irritating to the skin and eye (IPCS, 1992); data on the sensitizing properties of hydrogen cyanide and its alkali salts have not been

identified.

Few repeated-dose toxicity studies have been performed (mainly because of the high acute toxicity), and the information on medium- to long-term effects is limited both for expected target organs and in the range of end-points studied. The possibility of mechanisms of chronic toxicity different from those of acute toxicity cannot, therefore, be totally excluded.

In a 13-week repeated-dose toxicity study (NTP,1993) in which cyanide was administered in drinkingwater, there were no clinical signs (associated with central nervous system effects) or histopathological effects in the brain or thyroid of rats and mice exposed to doses up to 12.5 and 26 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. In contrast, effects on testicular and epididymal weight and testicular sperm counts andHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects



### 31 epididymal sperm motility were observed in male rats at the highest dose level studied, 12.5 mg/kg body weight.

In a 14-week repeated-dose toxicity study and infertility toxicity studies in male and female rats, inhalation exposure to ACH (which is rapidly hydrolysed to hydrogen cyanide at physiological pH) resulted in no systemic toxicity at average ACH concentrations of 202, 204, or 207 mg/m 3 

### (corresponding to 64, 65, and 66 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### ). In a similar 4-week inhalation study at an average ACH concentration of 211 mg/m 3


### (67 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### ), no systemic effects were observed, except on the first day of exposure, when the

concentrations in the chamber fluctuated and reached values of 225 mg ACH/m 3 

### (71 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### ): 3 out of 10 animals died (Monsanto Co., 1984a, 1985c).

Although somewhat limited, the weight of evidence of available data indicates that cyanide is not genotoxic and that it induces developmental effects only at doses or concentrations that are overtly toxic to the mothers. No data on cyanide carcinogenicity have been identified.

9.2 Criteria for setting tolerable intakes/ concentrations for cyanides

The high acute toxicity of cyanide complicates theinterpretation of available data as a basis for development of tolerable daily intakes or concentrations for potential effects associated with long-term low-level exposure to cyanide.

Available data in human populations are considered inadequate as a basis for characterization of dose– response for long-term ingestion of cyanide because of very uncertain information on level and duration of exposure, likely confounding by simultaneous other exposures and dietary deficiencies, limited end-points studied, limited statistical power, and limited reporting.

Rather, effect levels in the animal studies considered most robust in the characterization of longer-term effects associated with cyanide are presented here as a basis for comparison with specific exposure levels (i.e., to facilitate development of margins of exposure for assessment of risk in specific, local, or regional circumstances).

In a 13-week repeated-dose toxicity study (NTP, 1993) in which sodium cyanide was administered in drinking-water, there were no mortalities or clinical signs (associated with central nervous system effects) or histopathological effects in the brain, thyroid, or other organs of rats or mice exposed to doses up to 12.5 and26 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. The reproductive tract in the males was the most sensitive organ to cyanide exposure in this study: lowered weight of testis and epididymis, together with a decrease in the number of spermatid heads in the testis and decreased motility of epididymal sperm, were observed at the highest dose level. The NOAEL in this study, 4.5 mg/kg body weight per day, 1 

### is consistent with the only available long-term study, in that no adverse effects were observed in rats after 2 years of exposure to cyanide in the diet at 10.8 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day (Howard & Hanzal, 1955). It is also roughly consistent with the NOAEL in the 14-week inhalation study (Monsanto Co., 1984a) in which the airborne systemic no-effect level of 204 mg ACH/m 3 

### can be estimated to correspond to a daily dose of approximately 15 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day.

The examination of neurotoxicity in the NTP (1993) study was limited to clinical observation and optical microscopy at autopsy. The few available studies specifically intended to investigate neurotoxicity suffer from major weaknesses: the study in miniature pigs (Jackson, 1988), which reported slight functional thyroidchanges and behavioural aberrations at 1.2 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day, used a bolus dose with consequent high peaks of cyanide concentration in the organism and involved a very small number of animals (three animals in four groups) and limited statistical analysis. Similarly, the neuropathological study in goats(Soto-Blanco et al., 2002a), which reported ultrastructural changes in animals given ≥ 0.48 mg cyanide/kg body weight per day in drinking-water for 5 months, did not present quantitative data or statistical analysis.

Inhalation exposure is relevant principally to the occupational environment and in the vicinity of cassava processing facilities. For the reasons stated above, dataon people exposed at work cannot be used to characterize the hazard for inhalation exposure. Information onrepeated-exposure studies in animals exposed to hydrogen cyanide itself is scanty. In contrast, several studies are available on ACH, which is rapidly hydrolysed at physiological pH (Monsanto Co., 1984a, 1985c). Three separate studies give a systemic no-effect level of 202– 207 mg ACH/m 3 

### , corresponding to 64–66 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3



### . However, at an only slightly higher concentration of 225 mg ACH/m 3 

### (71 mg hydrogen cyanide/m 3 

### ), there was 30% mortality in one of the studies. The dose–effect relationship for cyanide is thus very steep for inhalation exposure. Because in these studiesthe effects observed were due to acute toxicity exclusively, they do not provide an adequate basis for the derivation of a tolerable concentration for any exposure of longer duration.

1 ATSDR has used this informatio n to derive an intermediateterm (15–364 days) exposure minimal risk level of 50 μg/kg body weight per day, applying uncertainty factors of 10 for interspecies extrapolation and 10 for human variability.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

32 9.3 Sample risk characterization

Information on levels of cyanide in air and water is

limited and tends to be old. Adverse effects are not expected at the low levels reported in ambient air (usually below 1 μg/m 3 ). In the USA, concentrations in surface water and drinking-water are generally below 10 μg/litre; at even the highest concentrations reported (200 μg/litre), adverse effects are not anticipated.

In the vicinity of cassava processing facilities, concentrations considerably in excess of those associated with adverse effects have been reported in both surface water and ambient air. Inadequately prepared cassava, when constituting the major part of the diet, may be hazardous. Concentrations of cyanogens in some other staple food items have been reported to be even higher than those in inadequately prepared cassava and are, therefore, potentially dangerous, although adverse health effects have not been reported.

Apricot and choke cherry kernels contain enough cyanogens to cause acute intoxication, and fatalities have been reported, especially in children.

9.4 Uncertainties in the hazard
characterization

Studies on humans deal mainly with acute effects of hydrogen cyanide/cyanides or, where longer term, lack adequate information on exposure and thus cannot be used in quantitative hazard characterization. Similarities in the likely mode of action and outcome from humans and experimental studies on animals, however, tend to confirm the most important end-points of hydrogen cyanide toxicity.

The available database on repeated-dose or chronic toxicity of cyanide is limited, primarily due to the high acute toxicity of the compound. While data are lacking on several relevant end-points such as carcinogenicity, significant longer-term adverse effects have not been induced at doses that have not been acutely toxic.

The contribution of factors other than cyanide in cassava-induced health impairment cannot be fully

assessed.



### 10. PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS BY
INTERNATIONAL BODIES

The WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (WHO, 2003) derived a tolerable daily intake of 12 μg/kg body weight by considering 1.2 mg/kg body weight in the Jackson (1988) study as a LOAEL and applying an uncertainty factor of 100. By allocation of 20% of the tolerable daily intake to drinking-water, a guideline value of 0.07 mg/litre was reached.

JECFA (1993) concluded that because of lack ofquantitative toxicological and epidemiological information, a safe level of intake of cyanogenic glycosidescould not be estimated. However, the committee concluded that a level of up to 10 mg hydrogen cyanide/kg

in the Codex Standard for cassava flour is not associated with acute toxicity (JECFA, 1993).Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

33 

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Medicine , 11:70–74.Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

41 

### APPENDIX 1 — SOURCE DOCUMENTS

ATSDR (1997) Toxicological profile for cyanide

. Atlanta, GA, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

The ATSDR Toxicological profile for cyanide may be
ordered from:

National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161
USA Telephone: (800) 553-6847 or (703) 605-6000

It is also available online at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp8.html.

Chemical managers/authors of the ATSDR Toxicological profile on cyanide were:

Carolyn Harper, Division of Toxicology, ATSDR, Atlanta, GA, USA

Susan Goldhaber, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

The profile has undergone the following ATSDR internal

reviews:

1. Green Border Review: Green Border Review assures consistency with ATSDR policy.

2. Health Effects Review: The Health Effects Review Committee examines the health effects chapter of each profile for consistency and accuracy in interpreting health effects and classifying end-points.

3. Minimal Risk Level Review: The Minimal Risk LevelWorkgroup considers issues relevant to substancespecific minimal risk levels (MRLs), reviews the health effects database of each profile, and makes
recommendations for derivation of MRLs.

The peer review panel for cyanide consisted of the following members:

Dr Joseph Borowitz, Professor of Pathology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

Dr Gary Isom, Professor of Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

Dr James Way, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX,
USA JECFA (1993) Cyanogenic glycosides. In: Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives and naturally occurring toxicants

. Geneva, World Health Organization, 39th Meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (WHO Food Additives Series 30)

The JECFA monograph Cyanogenic glycosides is available
from: Marketing and Dissemination World Health Organization
1211 Geneva 27
Switzerland

or at bookorders@who.int. It is also available online at http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v30je18.htm.

The first draft of the document was prepared by Dr G. Speijers, Laboratory for Toxicology, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. The document was reviewed at the 39th meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

The procedure for the preparation of the JECFA monographs is described at http://www.who.int/pcs/jecfa/FA%20procedural%20guidelines.pd

f.Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

42 

### APPENDIX 2 — CICAD PEER REVIEW

The two consecutive drafts of the CICAD on hydrogen cyanide and cyanides (human health aspects) were sent for review to IPCS national Contact Points and Participating Institutions, as well as to identified experts. Comments were

received from:

M. Baril, Institut de Recherche en Santé et en Sécurité du Travail, Montreal, Canada

R. Benson, Drinking Water Program, US Environmental Protection Agency, Denver, CO, USA

D. Chakrabarti, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India

R.S. Chhabra, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

N. Chiu, Office of Water, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

M. Cikrt, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic

C. Cooke, Health and Safety Executive, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

I. Desi, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

G. Dura, National Institute of Environmental Health of Jozsef Fodor, Budapest, Hungary

C. Elliot-Minty, Health and Safety Executive, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

H. Greim, National Research Center for Environment and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

M. Gully, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada

G.K. Hatfield, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA

R.F. Hertel, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany

J. Hopkins, Toxicology Advice & Consulting Ltd, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom

P. Howe, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, United Kingdom

S. Jacobi, Cyanides Task Force, European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC), and European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), Brussels, Belgium

U. Kierdorf, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

G. Koennecker, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hanover, Germany

T. Kuiper-Goodman, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada

S. Melching-Kollmu β , Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hanover, Germany L. Murthy, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA

M.A. Pemberton, Cyanides Task Force, European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC), and European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), Brussels, Belgium

J. Rantanen, Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki,

Finland

T. Santonen, Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki,

Finland

S. Schmidt, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hanover, Germany

P. Schulte, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA

J.C. Stadler, DuPont Haskell Laboratory, Newark, DE, USA

J.L. Stauber, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (C SIRO) Energy Technology, Bangor, NSW, Australia

U. Stenius, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

J.H.M. Temmink, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands

S. Vainiotalo, Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki,

Finland

A. Vyskocil, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada

D. Willcocks, Existing Chemi cals, National Industrial
Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), Sydney, NSW, Australia

K. Ziegler-Skylakakis, Commission of European Communities, LuxembourgHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

43 

### APPENDIX 3 — 10TH FINAL REVIEW

BOARD

Monks Wood, United Kingdom 16–19 September 2002

Members

Dr R. Benson, US Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Denver, CO, USA

Mr R. Cary, Health and Safety Executive, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Dr R. Chhabra, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

Dr S. Chou, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr S. Czerczak, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz,

Poland

Dr S. Dobson, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Dr G. Dura, National Institute of Environmental Health, Jozsef Fodor Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary

Dr L. Fishbein, Fairfax, VA, USA

Dr H. Gibb, National Center for Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

Dr Y. Hayashi

, Division of Chem-Bio Informatics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan

Dr R.F. Hertel, Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany

Dr A. Hirose, Division of Risk Assessment, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan

Mr P. Howe, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Prof. J. Jeyaratnam, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Dr J. Kielhorn, Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research, Hanover, Germany

Prof. Y.-X. Liang, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, People’s Republic of
China

Dr R. Liteplo, Existing Substances Division, Environmental Contaminants Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Ms M.E. Meek, Existing Substances Division, Safe Environments Programme, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada

Mr F.K. Muchiri, Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Services, Nairobi, Kenya Dr O. Sabzevari, Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Dr J. Sekizawa, Division of Chem-Bio Informatics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan

Dr F.P. Simeonova, Sofia, Bulgaria Dr J. Stauber, CSIRO Energy Technology, Centre for Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Bangor, Australia

Dr M.H. Sweeney, Document Development Branch, Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Dr K. Ziegler-Skylakakis, European Commission, DG Employment & Social Affairs, Luxembourg

Resource Persons

Dr C. Cowles, Health and Safety Executive, Industrial Chemicals Unit HD, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Dr C. Elliott-Minty, Health and Safety Executive, Industrial Chemicals Unit HD, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Dr K. Fuller, Health and Safety Executive, Industrial Chemicals Unit HD, Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom

Observers

Mr A.G. Berends, Solvay S.A., Brussels, Belgium; European Chemical Industry Council / European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (CEFIC/ECETOC)

Mr W. Gulledge, American Chemistry Council, Arlington, VA,
USA

Mr C. Newsome, Dow Chemical Company Limited, West Drayton, Middlesex, United Kingdom; European Chemical Industry Council / European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (CEFIC/ECETOC)

Mr M.A. Pemberton, Wilmslow, United Kingdom; European Chemical Industry Council / European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (CEFIC/ECETOC)

Mr W. Stott, Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA; European Chemical Industry Council / European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (CEFIC/ECETOC)

Mr J.M. Waechter, Jr, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA; European Chemical Industry Council / European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (CEFIC/ECETOC)

Secretariat

Dr A. Aitio, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

Mr T. Ehara, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

Mr H. Malcolm, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Ms C. Vickers, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

44 

### APPENDIX 4 — 11TH FINAL REVIEW

BOARD

Varna, Bulgaria 8–11 September 2003

Members

Dr I. Benchev, Sofia, Bulgaria

Dr R. Chhabra, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA

Dr C. De Rosa, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Dr S. Dobson, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Dr G. Dura, National Institute of Environment, József Fodor Public Health Centre, Budapest, Hungary

Dr L. Fishbein, Fairfax, VA, USA

Dr H. Gibb, National Center for Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

Dr R.F. Hertel, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany

Mr P. Howe, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Dr S. Ishimitsu, Division of Safety Information on Drug, Food and Chemicals, National Institute of Hygienic Sciences, Tokyo, Japan

Dr D. Kanungo, Central Insecticides Board, Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Ministry of Agriculture, Haryana, India

Dr J. Kielhorn, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hanover, Germany

Ms B. Meek, Environmental Health Directorate, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr T. Morita, Division of Safety Information on Drug, Food and Chemicals, National Institute of Hygienic Sciences, Tokyo, Japan

Mr F.K. Muchiri, Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Services, Nairobi, Kenya

Dr L. Olsen, Biological Monitoring & Health Assessment Branch, Division of Applied Research & Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Dr N. Rizov, National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria

Dr P. Schulte, Education and Information Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH,
USA

Dr J. Sekizawa, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima University , Tokushima, Japan Dr F.P. Simeonova, Sofia, Bulgaria

Dr S. Soliman, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, El Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt

Dr J. Stauber, CSIRO Energy Technology, Centre for Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Bangor, NSW, Australia

Mr P. Watts, Toxicology Advice & Consulting Ltd, Surrey, United Kingdom

Ms D. Willcocks, National Industr ial Chemicals No tification and Assessment Scheme, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Dr K. Ziegler-Skylakakis, European Commission, Luxembourg

Observers

Dr S. Jacobi, Degussa AG, Fine Chemicals, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany

Mr M. Southern, Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd, London, United Kingdom

Dr W. ten Berge, DSM, Heerlen, The Netherlands

Secretariat

Dr A. Aitio, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland

Mr T. Ehara, International Programme on Chemical Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, SwitzerlandHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

45 

### APPENDIX 5 — ABBREVIATIONS AND
ACRONYMS

ACH acetone cyanohydrin

ALAT alanine aminotransferase
ASAT aspartate aminotransferase
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (USA)

CAS Chemical Abstracts Service

CHO Chinese hamster ovary

CICAD Concise International Chemical Assessment

Document
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid

EHC Environmental Health Criteria
EPA Environmental Protection Agency (USA)
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations
HGPRT hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase
ILO International Labour Organization
IPCS International Programme on Chemical Safety
JECFA Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

K

ow

octanol/water partition coefficient

LC 50 median lethal concentration

LD 50 median lethal dose

LOAEL lowest-observed-adverse-effect level
MAK Maximum Allowable Concentration (Germany)

MRL minimal risk level
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (USA)

NOAEL no-observed-adverse-effect level

NOEL no-observed-effect level
PIM Poison Information Monograph

SD standard deviation
SI International System of Units (Système international d’unités)

T 3 triiodothyronine

T 4 thyroxine
TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

USA United States of America
US EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
WHO World Health OrganizationPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
© IPCS 2002

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE BACK. 

# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# HYDROGEN CYANIDE, LIQUEFIED 0492
May 2003

CAS No: 74-90-8
RTECS No: MW6825000

UN No: 1051
EC No: 006-006-00-X Hydrocyanic acid
Prussic acid
Formonitrile
HCN

Molecular mass: 27.03

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Extremely flammable. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases)
in a fire. NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking. Shut off supply; if not possible and no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out; in other cases extinguish with powder, water spray, foam, carbon dioxide.

EXPLOSION Gas/air mixtures are explosive. Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

EXPOSURE AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Confusion. Drowsiness.
Headache. Nausea. Convulsions.
Shortness of breath.

Unconsciousness. Death. Ventilation, local exhaust, or breathing protection. Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position.
No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer for medical
attention. See Notes.

Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! (Further see Inhalation). Protective gloves. Protective clothing. Rinse skin with plenty of water or
shower. Refer for medical attention. Wear protective gloves when administering first aid.

Eyes VAPOUR WILL BE ABSORBED! Redness. (See Inhalation). Safety goggles, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Burning sensation. (Further see Inhalation). Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating. Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer
for medical attention. See Notes.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate danger area immediately! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Remove all ignition sources. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. F+ Symbol T+ Symbol N Symbol
R: 12-26-50/53 S: (1/2-)7/9-16-36/37-38-45-60-61
UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Subsidiary Risks: 3 UN Pack Group: I Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61S1051 NFPA Code: H4; F4; R2 Fireproof. Separated from food and feedstuffs. Cool. Store only if stabilized.

### Boiling point: 26°C Melting point: -13°C Relative density (water = 1): 0.69 (liquid) Solubility in water: miscible Vapour pressure, kPa at 20°C: 82.6 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.94 Flash point: -18°C c.c. Auto-ignition temperature: 538°C Explosive limits, vol% in air: 5.6-40.0 Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.25



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2002 

## 0492 HYDROGEN CYANIDE, LIQUEFIED

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS GAS OR LIQUID, WITH CHARACTERISTIC
ODOUR.

Physical dangers The gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily
formed.

Chemical dangers The substance may polymerize due to heating under the influence of base(s), over 2% water, or if not chemically stabilized, with fire or explosion hazard. On combustion, forms toxic and corrosive gases including nitrogen oxides. The solution in water is a weak acid. Reacts violently with oxidants, hydrogen chloride in alcoholic mixtures, causing fire and explosion hazard.

Occupational exposure limits TLV: 4.7 ppm; (Ceiling value); (skin); (ACGIH 2003). MAK: 1.9 ppm, 2.1 mg/m 3 

### ; H; Peak limitation category: II(2); Pregnancy risk group: C; (DFG 2002). Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Inhalation risk A harmful contamination of the air will be reached very quickly on evaporation of this substance at 20°C.

Effects of short-term exposure The substance is irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the cellular respiration, resulting in convulsions and unconsciousness. Exposure may
result in death. Medical observation is indicated. See Notes.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure The substance may have effects on the thyroid.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be avail able. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient. The recommendations on this Card also apply to hydrogen cyanide, stabilized, absorbed in a porous inert material. Other UN numbers: 1613, Hydrogen cyanide, aqueous solution, not more than 20% of hydrogen cyanide; 1614, Hydrogen cyanide stabilized, absorbed in a porous inert material; 3294, Hydrogen cyanide solution in alcohol, not more than 45% of hydrogen cyanide. Never work alone in an area if hydrogen cyanide exposure is possible. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
© IPCS 2002

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# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# SODIUM CYANIDE 1118
May 2003

CAS No: 143-33-9
RTECS No: VZ7525000

UN No: 1689
EC No: 006-007-00-5 Hydrocyanic acid, sodium salt
NaCN

Molecular mass: 49.01

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Not combustible but forms flammable gas on contact with water or damp air. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases)
in a fire. NO hydrous agents. NO water. NO
carbon dioxide. In case of fire in the surroundings: foam and powder.

EXPLOSION In case of fire: cool drums, etc., by spraying with water but avoid
contact of the substance with water.

EXPOSURE PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST!

STRICT HYGIENE! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Sore throat. Headache. Confusion.
Weakness. Shortness of breath.
Convulsions. Unconsciousness. Local exhaust or breathing protection. Fresh air, rest. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer
for medical attention.

Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. (Further see Inhalation). Protective gloves. Protective clothing. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or
shower. Refer for medical attention.

Eyes Redness. Pain. (Further see Inhalation). Safety goggles, face shield, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection if powder. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Burning sensation. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. (See Inhalation). Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Wear protective gloves when inducing vomiting. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer
for medical attention. See Notes.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Sweep spilled substance into dry, sealable and labelled containers. Cautiously neutralize remainder with sodium hypochlorite solution. Then wash away with plenty of water. Do
NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. T+ Symbol N Symbol
R: 26/27/28-32-50/53 S: (1/2-)7-28-29-45-60-61

Note: A
UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Pack Group: I Airtight. Unbreakable packaging; put breakable packaging into closed
unbreakable container. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61S1689 NFPA Code: H3; F0; R0 Separated from strong oxidants, acids, food and feedstuffs, carbon dioxide, water or products containing water. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a
well-ventilated room.

### Boiling point: 1496°C Melting point: 563.7°C Density: 1.6 g/cm 3 

### Solubility in water, g/100 ml at 20°C: 58



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2002 

## 1118 SODIUM CYANIDE

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance WHITE, HYGROSCOPIC CRYSTALLINE POWDER, WITH
CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR. ODOURLESS WHEN DRY.

Chemical dangers The substance decomposes rapidly on contact with acids, and slowly on contact with water, moisture or carbon dioxide producing hydrogen cyanide (see ICSC 0492). The solution in water is a medium strong base.

Occupational exposure limits TLV: as CN 5 mg/m 3 

### ; (Ceiling value); (skin); (ACGIH 2003). MAK: 3.8 mg/m 3 

### I; H; Peak limitation category: II(1); Pregnancy risk group: C; (DFG 2002). Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed.

Effects of short-term exposure The substance is severely irritating to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the cellular respiration, resulting in convulsions and unconsciousness. Exposure may result in death. Medical
observation is indicated. See Notes.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure The substance may have effects on the thyroid.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be avail able. Do NOT take working clothes home. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested. Never work alone in an area if hydrocyanic acid exposure is possible.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
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# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# POTASSIUM CYANIDE 0671
May 2003

CAS No: 151-50-8
RTECS No: TS8750000

UN No: 1680
EC No: 006-007-00-5 Hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt
KCN

Molecular mass: 65.1

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Not combustible but forms flammable gas on contact with water or damp air. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases)
in a fire. NO hydrous agents. NO water. NO
carbon dioxide. In case of fire in the surroundings: foam and powder.

EXPLOSION In case of fire: cool drums, etc., by spraying with water but avoid
contact of the substance with water.

EXPOSURE PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST!

STRICT HYGIENE! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Sore throat. Headache. Confusion.
Weakness. Shortness of breath.
Convulsions. Unconsciousness. Local exhaust or breathing protection. Fresh air, rest. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer
for medical attention.

Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. (Further see Inhalation). Protective gloves. Protective clothing. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or
shower. Refer for medical attention.

Eyes Redness. Pain. (Further see Inhalation). Safety goggles, face shield, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Burning sensation. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. (See Inhalation). Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Wear protective gloves when inducing vomiting. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administer oxygen by trained personnel. Refer
for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Sweep spilled substance into dry sealable and labelled containers. Cautiously neutralize remainder with sodium hypochlorite solution. Then wash away with plenty of water. Do
NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. T+ Symbol N Symbol
R: 26/27/28-32-50/53 S: (1/2-)7-28-29-45-60-61

Note: A
UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Pack Group: I Airtight. Unbreakable packaging; put breakable packaging into closed
unbreakable container. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61S1680. NFPA Code: H3; F0; R0 Separated from strong oxidants, acids, food and feedstuffs, carbon dioxide, water, or products containing water. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a
well-ventilated room.

### Boiling point: 1625°C Melting point: 634°C Density: 1.52 g/cm 3 

### Solubility in water, g/100 ml: 71.6



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2002 

## 0671 POTASSIUM CYANIDE

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance HYGROSCOPIC CRYSTALS OR SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS,
WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR. ODOURLESS WHEN DRY.

Chemical dangers The substance decomposes rapidly on contact with acids, and slowly on contact with water, moisture or carbon dioxide producing hydrogen cyanide (see ICSC 0492). The solution in water is a medium strong base.

Occupational exposure limits TLV: as CN 5 mg/m 3 

### ; (Ceiling value); (skin); (ACGIH 2003). MAK: 5.0 mg/m 3 

### I; H; Pregnancy risk group: C; Peak limitation category: II(1); (DFG 2002). Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.

Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed.

Effects of short-term exposure The substance is severely irritating to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the cellular respiration, resulting in convulsions and unconsciousness. Exposure may result in death. Medical
observation is indicated. See Notes.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure The substance may have effects on the thyroid.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

This substance may be hazardous to the environment; special attention should be given to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be avail able. Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested. Do NOT take working clothes home. Never work alone in an area if hydrogen cyanide exposure is possible.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International

Pro g ramme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission

© IPCS 1999

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# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# CALCIUM CYANIDE 0407

November 1998

CAS No: 592-01-8

RTECS No: EW0700000

UN No: 1575
EC No: 020-002-00-5 Calc y anide
Calc y an C 2 

### CaN 2 

### / Ca ( CN ) 2 

### Molecular mass: 92.1

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Not combustible but forms

flammable g as on contact with water or damp air. Gives off

irritatin g or toxic fumes ( or g ases )

in a fire. NO open flames, NO sparks, and
NO smokin g . NO contact with water, carbon dioxide, acids. NO

contact with hot surfaces. Powder, dr y

sand, NO h y drous

a g ents. NO water. NO carbon

dioxide.

EXPLOSION

EXPOSURE STRICT HYGIENE! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Chest ti g htness. Confusion.
Convulsions. Cou g h. Dizziness.

Headache. Laboured breathin g

. Nausea. Shortness of breath.

Unconsciousness. Vomitin g

. Weakness. Red coloration of the

skin. Local exhaust or breathin g protection. Fresh air, rest. Artificial respiration

if indicated. Refer for medical
attention. See Notes.

Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness.

Pain. ( Further see Inhalation )

. Protective g loves. Protective

clothin g

. Remove contaminated clothes.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical attention. Wear protective g loves

when administerin g first aid. See

Notes.

Eyes Redness. Pain. Safet y spectacles, face shield, or

e y e protection in combination with

breathin g protection if powder. First rinse with plent y of water for

several minutes ( remove contact
lenses if easil y possible ) , then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Burnin g sensation in the throat

and chest. ( Further see

Inhalation )

. Do not eat, drink, or smoke durin g work. Wash hands before eatin g

. Rinse mouth. Induce vomitin g ( ONLY IN CONSCIOUS
PERSONS! ) . Refer for medical
attention. See Notes.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate dan g er area! Consult an expert! Do NOT

wash awa y into sewer. Sweep spilled substance
into containers. Carefull y collect remainder, then remove to safe place. Prevent contact with water or
moist substances. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Chemical protection suit includin g self-contained breathin g apparatus. T+ S y mbol

R: 28-32
S: ( 1/2- ) 7/8-23-36/37-45
UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Pack Group: I Airti g ht. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emer g enc y Card: TEC ( R ) -61G16a. NFPA Code: H 3; F 0; R 0. Fireproof. Provision to contain effluent from fire extin g uishin g . Separated

from stron g oxidants, acids, food and feedstuffs. Dr y . Well closed.

### Decomposes below meltin g point at 350  C

Densit y : 1.8 g /cm 3 

### Solubilit y in water: reaction



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor an y person actin g on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible

© IPCS 1999 

## 0407 CALCIUM CYANIDE

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS CRYSTALS OR WHITE POWDER, WITH
CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Chemical Dangers The substance decomposes on heatin g above 350  C, producin g toxic fumes includin g nitro g en oxides and h y dro g en

c y anide. Reacts violentl y with water, moist air, carbon dioxide, acids and acid salts producin g hi g hl y toxic and flammable

h y dro g en c y anide. Reacts violentl y when heated with oxidizin g substances causin g fire and explosion hazard.

Occupational Exposure Limits

TLV not established. Routes of Exposure

The substance can be absorbed into the bod y b y inhalation,

throu g h the skin or b y in g estion.

Inhalation Risk Evaporation at 20  C is ne g li g ible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached q uickl y when dispersed.

Effects of Short-term Exposure

The substance irritates the e y es the skin and the respirator y tract. The substance ma y cause effects on the intracellular

ox yg en metabolism, resultin g in seizures and unconsciousness. Exposure ma y result in death.

Effects of Long-term or Repeated Exposure Repeated or prolon g ed contact with skin ma y cause dermatitis.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is ver y toxic to a q uatic or g anisms.



## NOTES

Dependin g on the de g ree of exposure, periodic medical examination is indicated. Specific treatment is necessar y in case of poisonin g with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be available. No odour warnin g if toxic concentrations are present. Do NOT take workin g clothes home.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
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# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# CYANOGEN 1390

October 2001

CAS No: 460-19-5
RTECS No: GT1925000

UN No: 1026
EC No: 608-011-00-8 Dicyanogen
Ethanedinitrile
Oxalonitrile (cylinder)
C 2 

### N 2 

### Molecular mass: 52.04

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Highly flammable. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases)
in a fire. NO open flames, NO sparks, and NO smoking. Shut off supply; if not possible and no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out; in other cases extinguish with dry powder, carbon
dioxide.

EXPLOSION Gas/air mixtures are explosive. Risk of fire and explosion on contact with strong oxidants. Closed system, ventilation, explosion-proof electrical equipment and lighting. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water.

EXPOSURE AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Convulsions. Cough. Dizziness. Headache. Laboured breathing.
Sore throat. Unconsciousness. Vomiting. Ventilation, local exhaust, or breathing protection. Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed.
No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Refer for medical
attention. See Notes.

Skin ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID:
FROSTBITE. Cold-insulating gloves. ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes.
Refer for medical attention.

Eyes Redness. Pain. Face shield, or eye protection in combination with breathing protection. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. Remove all ignition sources. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. (Extra personal protection: ) gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. F Symbol T Symbol N Symbol
R: 11-23-50/53 S: (1/2-)23-45-60-61
UN Hazard Class: 2.3 UN Subsidiary Risks: 2.1

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-20G2TF NFPA Code: H4; F4; R2 Fireproof. Cool.

### Boiling point: -21.2°C Melting point: -27.9°C Relative density (water = 1): 0.95 at -21°C Solubility in water, ml/100 ml at 20°C: 450 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.8 Flash point: Flammable Gas Explosive limits, vol% in air: 6.6-42.6 Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: 0.07



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2001 

## 1390 CYANOGEN

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS GAS OR COMPRESSED LIQUEFIED GAS,
WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Physical dangers The gas is heavier than air and may travel along the ground; distant ignition possible.

Chemical dangers On combustion, forms toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides. Reacts with strong oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. The substance reacts with acids forming highly toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide.

Occupational exposure limits TLV: 10 ppm as TWA (ACGIH 2001). MAK: 10 ppm; 22 mg/m 3 

### ; (2000) Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

Effects of short-term exposure The substance is irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract. Rapid evaporation of the liquid may cause frostbite. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, resulting in respiratory failure and collapse. Exposure far above the OEL may result in death.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be avail able. The odour warning when the exposure limit value is exceeded is insufficient. Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
© IPCS 2000

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE BACK. 

# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# CYANOGEN CHLORIDE 1053

October 1999

CAS No: 506-77-4
RTECS No: GT2275000 UN No: 1589 (inhibited) Chlorine c y anide
Chloroc y anide
Chloroc y ano g en (c y linder)
ClCN

Molecular mass: 61.5

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Not combustible. Heatin g will cause rise in pressure with risk of

burstin g . Gives off irritatin g or toxic fumes (or g ases) in a fire. In case of fire in the surroundin g s: all extin g uishin g a g ents allowed.

EXPLOSION In case of fire: cool c y linder b y
spra y in g with water but avoid
contact of the substance with water.

EXPOSURE AVOID ALL CONTACT!

Inhalation Sore throat. Drowsiness.
Confusion. Nausea. Vomitin g

. Cou g h. Unconsciousness.
S y mptoms ma y be dela y ed (see Notes). Local exhaust or breathin g protection. Fresh air, rest. Half-upri g ht position. Artificial respiration if indicated.
Refer for medical attention.

Skin ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID:
FROSTBITE. THE LIQUID MAY
BE ABSORBED. Redness. Pain. Cold-insulatin g g loves. Protective
clothin g

. ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plent y of water, do NOT remove clothes.
Refer for medical attention.

Eyes ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID:
FROSTBITE. Redness. Pain. Face shield, or e y e protection in
combination with breathin g protection. First rinse with plent y of water for several minutes (remove contact
lenses if easil y possible), then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Do not eat, drink, or smoke durin g work.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Evacuate dan g er area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. Remove vapour cloud with fine water spra y . Do
NOT wash awa y into sewer. Chemical protection

suit includin g self-contained breathin g apparatus. UN Hazard Class: 2.3
UN Subsidiar y Risks: 8 Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emer g enc y Card: TEC (R)-801 Fireproof if in buildin g . Provision to contain effluent from fire extin g uishin g

. Cool.

### Boiling point: 13.8°C Melting point: -6°C Solubility in water: soluble Vapour pressure, kPa at 21.1°C: 1987 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 2.16



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2000 

## 1053 CYANOGEN CHLORIDE

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS COMPRESSED LIQUEFIED GAS, WITH
PUNGENT ODOUR.

Physical dangers The gas is heavier than air.

Chemical dangers The substance decomposes on heating producing toxic and corrosive fumes (hydrogen cyanide, hydrochloric acid, nitrogen oxides). Reacts slowly with water or water vapour to form hydrogen chloride.

Occupational exposure limits TLV: 0.3 ppm; as (ceiling value) (ACGIH 1999). Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

Effects of short-term exposure Tear drawing. The substance severely irritates the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the cellular respiration, resulting in convulsions and unconsciousness. Exposure may result in death. Medical
observation is indicated. See Notes. Inhalation of the substance may cause lung oedema (see Notes). The effects may be delayed. Rapid evaporation of the liquid may cause frostbite.

Medical observation is indicated.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical
effort. Rest and medical observation is therefore essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, by a doctor or a person authorized by him/her, should be considered. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be avail able. Do NOT spray water on leaking cylinder (to prevent corrosion of cylinder). Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International

Pro g ramme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission

© IPCS 1999

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE BACK. 

# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# ACETONE CYANOHYDRIN 0611

March 1998

CAS No: 75-86-5

RTECS No: OD9275000

UN No: 1541
EC No: 608-004-00-X 2-H y drox y -2-meth y l propionitrile

2-Meth y l-lactonitrile
2-C y anopropan-2-ol p-H y drox y isobut y ronitrile ( CH 3 

### ) 2 

### C ( OH ) CN / C 4 

### H 7 

### NO

Molecular mass: 85.1

TYPES OF

HAZARD/

EXPOSURE 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Combustible. Gives off irritatin g or toxic fumes ( or g ases ) in a fire. NO open flames. Powder, AFFF, foam, carbon

dioxide.

EXPLOSION Above 74  C explosive vapour/air

mixtures ma y be formed. Above 74  C use a closed s y stem,
ventilation. In case of fire: cool drums, etc., b y
spra y in g with water but avoid
contact of the substance with water.
Combat fire from a sheltered position.

EXPOSURE AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A

DOCTOR!

Inhalation Convulsions. Cou g h. Dizziness.

Headache. Laboured breathin g

. Nausea. Shortness of breath.

Unconsciousness. Vomitin g

. Irre g ular heartbeat, ti g htness in

the chest. Closed s y stem and ventilation. Fresh air, rest. Half-upri g ht position. Artificial respiration if

indicated. Refer for medical

attention.

Skin MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness.

Pain ( See Inhalation )

. Protective g loves. Protective

clothin g

. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Refer for medical

attention.

Eyes Redness. Pain. Face shield, or e y e protection in

combination with breathin g protection. First rinse with plent y of water for

several minutes ( remove contact
lenses if easil y possible ) , then take

to a doctor.

Ingestion Abdominal cramps. Burnin g sensation. Convulsions.
Unconsciousness. See Notes ( see Inhalation )

. Do not eat, drink, or smoke durin g work. Rinse mouth. Refer for medical

attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING

Sweep spilled substance into containers. Carefull y collect remainder, then remove to safe place. Do
NOT let this chemical enter the environment ( extra personal protection: complete protective clothin g includin g self-contained breathin g apparatus )

. T+ S y mbol
N S y mbol
R: 26/27/28-50
S: ( 1/2- ) 7/9-27-45-61
UN Hazard Class: 6.1 UN Pack Group: I Airti g ht. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Marine pollutant.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE

Transport Emer g enc y Card: TEC ( R ) -172 NFPA Code: H4; F1; R2 Provision to contain effluent from fire extin g uishin g . Separated from stron g bases, acids, water, food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Keep in a

well-ventilated room.

### Boilin g point: 95  C

Meltin g point: -19  C

Relative densit y ( water = 1 ) : 0.93
Solubilit y in water: freel y soluble, but decomposes in water Vapour pressure, kPa at 20  C: 3.0 Relative vapour densit y ( air = 1 ) : 2.93 Flash point: 74  C c.c. Explosive limits, vol% in air: 2.2-12



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor an y person actin g on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible

for the use which mi g ht be made of this information

© IPCS 1999 

## 0611 ACETONE CYANOHYDRIN

IMPORTANT DATA

Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS LIQUID, WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Physical Dangers The vapour is heavier than air.

Chemical Dangers The substance decomposes rapidl y on heatin g or on contact with bases or water, producin g hi g hl y toxic and flammable

h y dro g en c y anide ( see ICSC # 0492 ) , and acetone ( see ICSC #

0087 ) . Reacts violentl y with acids and oxidants causin g fire and explosion hazard.

Occupational Exposure Limits TLV: 4.7 ppm; 5 m g /m 3 

### ( ceilin g values ) as CN ( skin ) ( ACGIH

1997 )

. Routes of Exposure

The substance can be absorbed into the bod y b y inhalation,

throu g h the skin and b y in g estion.

Inhalation Risk

A harmful contamination of the air can be reached rather

q uickl y on evaporation of this substance at 20  C.

Effects of Short-term Exposure

The substance irritates the e y es, the skin and the respirator y tract. The substance ma y cause effects on the cardiovascular

s y stem and central nervous s y stem, resultin g in asph y xia, cardiac disorders, convulsions, c y anosis and respirator y failure. Exposure ma y result in death. Medical observation is
indicated. See Notes.

Effects of Long-term or Repeated Exposure

The substance ma y have effects on the central nervous s y stem
and th y roid, resultin g in impaired functions.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

ENVIRONMENTAL DATA

The substance is ver y toxic to a q uatic or g anisms. Avoid release to the environment in circumstances different to normal use.



## NOTES

Specific treatment is necessar y in case of poisonin g with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be

available. Hazard and toxicit y of this substance is due to its ma j or metabolite - h y dro g en c y anide ( see ISCS # 0492 )

.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONPrepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety and the European Commission
© IPCS 2002

**SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE BACK.** 

# IPCS

International Programme on Chemical Safety 

# POTASSIUM FERRICYANIDE **1132**

October 2002

**CAS No: 13746-66-2**
RTECS No: LJ8225000 Tripotassium hexacyanoferrate (-3) Potassium cyanoferrate Potassium ferricyanate Iron potassium cyanide
C 6 

### FeK 3 

### N 6 

### / K 3 

### Fe(CN) 6 

### Molecular mass: 329.25

**TYPES OF**

**HAZARD/**

**EXPOSURE** 

### ACUTE HAZARDS/SYMPTOMS **PREVENTION FIRST AID/FIRE FIGHTING** 

**FIRE** Not combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. In case of fire in the surroundings: use appropriate extinguishing
media.

**EXPLOSION**

**EXPOSURE**

**Inhalation** Cough. Sore throat. Avoid inhalation of dust. Fresh air, rest.

**Skin** Redness. Pain. Protective gloves. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or

shower.

**Eyes** Redness. Pain. Safety spectacles. First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take

to a doctor.

**Ingestion** Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during
work. Rinse mouth. Give plenty of water

to drink.

**SPILLAGE DISPOSAL PACKAGING & LABELLING** 

Sweep spilled substance into containers; if appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder, then remove to safe place. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. (Extra personal protection: P2 filter respirator for harmful particles.)

**EMERGENCY RESPONSE STORAGE** 

Separated from acids. Dry.

### Density: 1.89 g/cm 3 

### Solubility in water, g/100 ml: 46



## LEGAL NOTICE Neither the EC nor the IPCS nor any person acti ng on behalf of the EC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information

©IPCS 2002 

## 1132 **POTASSIUM FERRICYANIDE**

**IMPORTANT DATA**

**Physical State; Appearance**
RED CRYSTALLINE POWDER

**Chemical dangers** The substance decomposes on heating producing toxic gases including hydrogen cyanide. Reacts with acids, to produce cyanides, causing toxic hazard.

**Occupational exposure limits**

TLV not established. **Routes of exposure** The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and by ingestion.

**Inhalation risk** A nuisance-causing concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed, especially if powdered.

**Effects of short-term exposure** The substance is mildly irrita ting to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract.



## PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

**ENVIRONMENTAL DATA**

This substance may be hazardous in the environment; s pecial attention should be given to aquatic organisms.



## NOTES

Temperature of decomposit ion unknown in literature. Health effects of exposure to the substance have not been investigated adequately.



## ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

62 

### RÉSUMÉ D’ORIENTATION

Le présent CICAD relatif au cyanure d’hydrogène (acide cyanhydrique) et aux cyanures (aspects touchant la santé humaine) a été préparé par le Pr Fina Petrova Simeonova et le Dr Lawrence Fishbein, principalement sur la base du profil toxicologique des cyanures établi par l’Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR, 1997) et d’un document du Comité mixte FAO/OMS d’experts des additifs alimentaires portant sur les glucosides cyanogéniques (JECFA, 1993). L’appendice 1 est consacré à ces documents de base ainsi qu’à la manière dont ils ont été passés en revue. En octobre 2002, il a été procédé à un dépouillement exhaustif de la bibliographie contenue dans plusieurs bases de données en ligne à la recherche d’articles publiés postérieurement à ceux qui sont cités dans les documents de base. Ce CICAD a fait l’objet d’un premier examen lors de la dixième réunion du Comité d’évaluation finale qui s’est tenue à Monks Wood (Royaume-Uni) du 16 au 19 septembre 2002. Après avoir été révisé, il a été réexaminé et approuvé en tant qu’évaluation internationale lors de la onzième réunion du Comité d’évaluation finale qui a eu lieu à Varna (Bulgarie) du 8 au 11 septembre 2003. La liste des participants à la dixième et à la onzième réunion du Comité d’évaluation finale figure aux appendices 2 et 3. Les documents préparatoires discutés lors de ces réunions avaient été préalablement examinés par des pairs; des renseignements sur ces examens sont donnés à l’appendice 4. Les fiches internationale sur la sécurité chimique du cyanure d’hydrogène, du cyanure de sodium, du cyanure de potassium, du cyanure de calcium, du cyanogène, du chlorure de cyanogène, de la cyanhydrine d’acétone - plus couramment appelée acétone cyanhydrine - et du ferricyanure de potassium établies par le Programme international sur la sécurité chimique (IPCS, 1999a,b, 2000b, 2001, 2002a,b,c,d) sont également reproduites dans le présent document.

On désigne sous le nom de cyanures des composés très divers et de complexité chimique variable, mais qui contiennent tous un groupement CN et auxquels l’Homme peut se trouver expo sé lorsqu’ils sont produits à l’état gazeux, liquide ou solide par toutes sortes de

sources naturelles ou anthro pogéniques. Différents types de cyanures sont utilisés dans un certain nombre d’applications i ndustrielles ou sont présents dans l’environnement, mais quelle qu’en soit l’origine, c’est l’anion cyanure CN

– qui représente l’agent toxique

essentiel.

Le cyanure d’hydrogène se présente sous la forme d’un liquide ou d’un gaz incolore à bleu pâle dégageant une légère odeur d’amande amère. On l’utilise principalement pour la préparation de substances telles que l’adiponitrile, le méthacrylate de méthyle, divers agents chélatants, le chlorure cyanurique (2,4,6- trichlorotriazine), la mé thionine et ses analogues hydroxylés, ainsi que le cyanure de potassium et le cyanure de sodium. On s’en sert également comme fumigant à l’intérieur des navires, des voitures de chemin de fer, des grands bâtiments, des silos à grain et des minoteries ainsi que pour traiter les pois et les

semences en chambre étanche.

D’autres cyanures, comme le cyanure de potassium et le cyanure de sodium se présentent sous la forme de sels solides ou de cristaux hygroscopiques dont on fait grand usage pour extraire l’or et l’argent de leurs minerais, en galvanoplastie, pour la cémentation de l’acier, la flottation des métaux de base et le dégraissage des métaux, la teinture, l’impression et la photographie. Ils sont également très largement utilisés pour la synthèse de composés organiques ou minéraux (comme les nitriles, les acides carboxyliques, les amides, les esters et les amines ou les cyanures de métaux lourds) ainsi que pour la production d’agents chélatants.

Il existe différentes sources anthropogéniques qui libèrent des cyanures dans l’environnement. Ils peuvent par exemple être rejetés dans l’atmosphère par les industries qui les produisent ou les utilisent à diverses fins, comme les industries mé tallurgiques et celles qui pratiquent la galvanoplastie ou l’extraction de l’or et de l’argent à partir de minerais à faible teneur. Ils peuvent également s’échapper dans l’environnement par volatilisation à partir de déchets enfouis dans des décharges ou rejetés dans des bassins, émission à partir d’incinérateurs municipaux qui brûlent des déchets solides, combustion de biomasse ou de combustibles fossiles (notamment dans les gaz d’échappement des véhicules à moteur), lors d’opérations de fumigation ou encore pendant la production de coke ou autres opérations de carbonisation de la houille.

Il se forme du cyanure d’hydrogène lors de la combustion incomplète des polymères azotés, comme certains plastiques, les polyuréthanes et la laine. La fumée de cigarette en contient également.

Les cyanures qui passent dans le compartiment aquatique à partir de sources non ponctuelles peuvent être transportés par les eaux de ruissellement contenant des sels antiagglomérants cyanurés épandus sur les routes, provenir de déchets enfouis ou encore du lessivage de divers dépôts d’origine agricole ou atmosphérique. Au nombre des sources ponctuelles de cyanures figurent les installations d’extraction de l’or, les usines de traitement de l’eau, la sidérurgie et l’industrie chimique organique.

On compte plus de 2000 espèces végétales (notamment des fruits et des légumes) contenant des glucosides cyanogéniques qui constituent des sourcesHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

63 naturelles de cyanures et qui sont capables de libérer des ions cyanure par hydrolyse lorsqu’ils sont ingérés. Parmi ces denrées, on peut citer la cassave (tapioca, manioc) et le sorgho qui, dans de nombreux pays tropicaux, représentent l’alimentation de base de millions de gens. L’amygdaline, la linamarine, la prunasine, la dhurrine, la lotaustraline et la taxiphylline sont des glucosides cyanogéniques bien connus. Certains processus biologiques qui se déroulent dans les plantes supérieures, les champignons et les bactéries conduisent également à la libération de cyanures dans l’atmosphère.

Dans l’air, les cyanures sont présent sous la forme de cyanure d’hydrogène gazeux, avec une petite fraction sous forme de fines partic ules de poussière. Les cyanures sont susceptibles d’être transportés sur de longues distances à partir de leur source d’émission.

Dans sa majorité, la population n’est exposée qu’à de très faibles quantités de cyanures présents dans l’environnement général. Toutefois, pour certains groupes, la possibilité d’e xposition est plus grande. Il s’agit notamment de personnes qui travaillent à la transformation à grande échelle du manioc ou qui consomment des quantités importantes d’aliments mal préparés contenant des glucosides cyanogéniques,

comme le manioc ou encore certaines denrées particulières comme les noyaux d’abricots et les amandes amères. Parmi les autres groupes de population qui risquent le plus d’être exposés aux cyanures, on peut citer les personnes qui résident à proximité de sources ponctuelles à partir desquelles ces substances peuvent

être libérées volontairement ou accidentellement dans l’environnement, les fumeurs actifs et passifs ou encore les personnes qui ont inhalé de la fumée à la suite d’un

incendie.

Les travailleurs peuvent être exposés aux cyanures au cours d’opérations de fumigation, lors de la production de ces substances ou encore lors de nombreuses activités industrielles au cours desquelles elles sont utilisées - par exemple lors d’opérations de galvanoplastie ou de cémentation de l’acier ou lors de l’extraction de l’or et de l’argent de leurs minerais.

Bien résorbés au niveau des voies digestives ou par passage transcutané, les cyanures sont rapidement absorbés par la voie respiratoire. Une fois absorbés, ils se répandent rapidement dans tout l’organisme, mais les teneurs les plus élevées sont habituellement retrouvées au niveau du foie, des poumons, dans le sang et dans l’encéphale. Une exposition chronique ou répétée ne provoque pas d’accumulation de cyanures dans le sang

ou les tissus.

Une fois absorbés, les cyanures sont métabolisés dans la proportion d’environ 80 % en thiocyanates au niveau du foie sous l’action d’une sulfo-transférasemitochondriale, la rhodanase, et d’autres sulfotransférases. Les thiocyanates sont excrétés dans les urines. Il existe des voies métaboliques mineures de détoxication des cyanures qui comportent une réactionavec la cystine conduisant aux acides aminothiazolineet iminothiazolidinecarboxyliques ou une combinaison avec l’hydroxycobalamine (vitamine B 12a ) conduisant à la formation de cyanocobalamine (vitamine B 12 ). Ces produits finals sont également excrétés par la voie

urinaire.

Les cyanures sont principalement caractérisés parune toxicité élevée quelle que soit la voie d’administration, avec une courbe dose-effet à très forte pente dépendant de la vitesse d’administration, ainsi que parune toxicité chronique dans laquelle intervient probablement l’ion thiocyanate, qui est leur principal métabolite et produit de détoxication. Les effets toxiques de l’ion cyanure sont généralement similaires chez l’Homme et l’animal et on pense qu’ils sont dus à l’inactivation de la cytochrome-oxydase qui conduit à l’inhibition de la respiration et à une anoxie histotoxique. Les principales cibles de l’action toxique de l’ion cyanure sont les appareils cardiovasculaire et respiratoire ainsi que le système nerveux central. Le système endocrinien est également une cible potentielle de l’activité toxique à long terme de l’ion cyanure, qui résulte d’une exposition permanente à l’ion thiocyanate ayant pour effet d’inhiber la fixation de l’iode par la thyroïde et par suite, de conduire à la formation d’un goitre.

Chez l’Homme, si de légers effets peuvent être notés aux doses de 20 à 40 mg/m 3 , des doses de 50 à 60 mg/m 3 sont supportables pendant 20 minutes à 1 heure

sans effets immédiats ou retardés. Une dose de l’ordre de 120 à 150 mg/m 3 peut entraîner la mort au bout d’une demi-heure à une heure et à partir de 150 mg/m 3 , la mort peut survenir en l’espace de 30 minutes. Une exposition à 200 mg/m 3 est probablement mortelle au bout de 10 minutes et à partir de 300 mg/m 3 , la mort est immédiate. Chez l’Homme, la dose la plus faible qui se soit révélée mortelle par voie orale est de 0,54 mg/kg depoids corporel et on estime que dans les cas d’empoisonnement, la dose moyenne absorbée au moment de lamort est de 1,4 mg/kg p.c. (calculée en cyanure d’hydrogène). Après une intoxication grave, les séquelles peuvent être de nature neuropsychiatrique ou de type parkinsonien. On estime que les cyanures présents dansla fumée de tabac contribuent à l’amblyopie alcoolotabagique. Une exposition prolongée à de faibles concentrations de cyanures sur le lieu de travail peut déterminer divers symptômes neurologiques centraux.

On attribue à la consommation prolongée de manioc riche en glucosides cyanogéniques diverses pathologies telles que la neuropathie ataxique tropicale ou laConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

64 paraparésie spastique et, dans les régions où l’apport d’iode est insuffisant, l’hypothyroïdie, le goitre et le crétinisme. Si l’on a pu quelquefois estimer l’exposition journalière aux cyanures dans les régions d’endémie à approximativement 15-50 mg, le caractère limité des informations sur l’exposition et l’influence possible de facteurs de confusion comme la malnutrition, la faible teneur en protéines de l’alimentation, les carences vitaminiques et l’insuffisance du bilan iodé font que les données ne permettent pas d’obtenir des renseignements valables sur la relation dose-réponse dans le cas des

cyanures.

Les données concernant des points d’aboutissement de l’action toxique autres que la toxicité aiguë sont assez limitées. On peut attribuer pour une grande part cet état de choses à la difficulté d’effectuer, par exemple, des études avec des doses répétées ou des études de toxicité chronique sur une substance présentant une toxicité aiguë aussi forte. Les cyanures sont légèrement irritants pour la peau et la muqueuse oculaire. On n’a pas trouvé de données concernant d’éventuelles propriétés sensibilisantes ou une quelconque activité cancérogène de l’acide cyanhydrique ou de ses sels alcalins. Les éléments d’appréciation dont on dispose sont quelque peu limités, mais montrent cependant que les cyanures ne sont pas génotoxiques et qu’ils ne produisent d’effets sur le développement qu’à des doses toxiques pour la

mère.

Les données relatives aux populations humaines nesont pas suffisantes pour servir de base à la caractérisation de la relation dose-réponse dans le cas d’une ingestion chronique de cyanures. Lors d’une étude de 13 semaines au cours de laquelle on a administré à plusieurs reprises à des rats et à des souris du cyanure dissous dans leur eau de boisson, on n’a pas observé designes neurologiques centraux ni d’effets histopathologiques au niveau de l’encéphale ou de la thyroïde lorsque les animaux on reçu des doses journalières de cette substance allant respectivement jusqu’à 12,5 et 26 mg par kg de poids corporel. A la dose journalière de 12,5 mg/kg p.c., on a noté de petites anomalies au niveau des voies génitales chez rats mâles, anomalies qui, si elle n’avaient apparemment pas d’effet sur la fécondité des animaux, ne seraient peut-être pas négligeables chez l’Homme. La dose journalière sans effet nocif observable (NOAEL) pour ce type d’effets était de 4,5 mg/kg de poids corporel. Les examens neurologiques

effectués dans le cadre de cette étude se sont limités à des observations cliniques et à un examen au microscope optique lors de l’autopsie. Les rares études existantes qui soient spécialement consacrées à l’investigation de la neurotoxicité, font état d’effets nocifs chez le rat à la dose journalière de 1,2 mg de cyanure/kg de poids corporel et à celle de 0,48 mg/kg chez la chèvre, mais elles souffrent de faiblesses qui empêchent d’en tirer des conclusions quantitatives. Lors de trois études distinctes effectuées sur des rats dans le but de caractériser la relation dose-réponse dans le cas de l’inhalation répétée de cyanure d’hydrogène (principalement sur le lieu de travail), on n’a pas relevé d’effet toxique général chez les animaux exposés à de l’acétone cyanhydrine, composé qui est rapidement hydrolysé en cyanure d’hydr ogène au pH physiologique, pour des concentrations allant jusqu’à 211 mg/m 3 (soit l’équivalent de 67 mg de cyanure d’hydrogène par m 3 ). La mortalité de 30 % observée chez les rats exposés une partie de la journée à 225 mg/m 3 d’acétone cyanhydrine (soit l’équivalent de 71 mg cyanure d’hydrogène par m 3 ) traduit la forte pente de la courbe dose-effet.

Il est peu probable que l’exposition à la faible concentration de cyanures habituellement présents dans l’environnement général (< 1 μg/m 3 dans l’air ambiant; < 10 μg/litre dans l’eau) ait des effets nocifs. Des intoxications aiguës par les cyanures peuvent se produire à la suite de la consommation de noyaux d’abricots, decerises de Virginie ou d’autres drupes riches en glucosides cyanogéniques. Du manioc mal préparé peut êtredangereux lorsqu’il constitue l’essentiel de l’alimentation.Hydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

65 

### RESUMEN DE ORIENTACIÓN

Este CICAD sobre el cianuro de hidrógeno y otros cianuros (aspectos relativos a la salud humana), preparado por la Profesora Petrova Simeonova y el Dr. Lawrence Fishbein, se basó principalmente en el perfil toxicológico de los cianuros de la Agencia para el Registro de Sustancias Tóxicas y Enfermedades (ATSDR, 1997) y el documento sobre glucósidos cianogénicos del Comité Mixto FAO/OMS de Expertos en Aditivos Alimentarios (JECFA, 1993). Los documentos originales y la descripción de sus procesos de examen se presentan en el apéndice 1. En octubre de 2002 se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica amplia de varias bases de datos en línea para localizar cualquier referencia pertinente publicada después de las citadas en los documentos originales. Este CICAD se debatió en primer lugar en la 10a reunión de la Junta de Evaluación Final, celebrada en Monks Wood (Reino Unido) del 16 al 19 de septiembre de 2002. Tras la revisión, se debatió de nuevo y se aprobó como evaluación internacional en la 11a reunión de la Junta de Evaluación Final, celebrada en Varna (Bulgaria) del 8 al 11 de septiembre de 2003. Las listas de participantes en las reuniones 10a y 11a de la Junta de Evaluación Final figuran en los apéndices 2 y 3. Los proyectos debatidos fueron objeto de un examen colegiado antes de dichas reuniones; la información sobre el proceso del examen colegiado aparece en el apéndice 4. También se reproducen en este documento las Fichas internacionales de seguridad química para el cianuro de hidrógeno, el cianuro de sodio, el cianuro de potasio, el cianuro de calcio, el cianógeno, el cianuro de cloro, la cianohidrina de acetona y el ferricianuro de potasio, preparadas por el Programa Internacional de Seguridad de las Sustancias Químicas (IPCS, 1999a,b, 2000b, 2001, 2002a,b,c,d).

Los cianuros comprenden una amplia gama de compuestos con distintos grados de complejidad química, que se caracterizan por contener todos ellos un grupo CN, a los cuales están expuestas las personas ya sea en forma gaseosa, liquida o sólida a partir de fuentes naturales y antropogénicas. Si bien hay muchas formas químicas de cianuro que se utilizan en aplicaciones industriales o están pr esentes en el me dio ambiente, el agente tóxico principal, con independencia del origen, es el anión cianuro (CN

– ).

El cianuro de hidrógeno es un líquido o gas incoloro o de tono azul pálido con un ligero olor a almendras amargas. Se utiliza fundamentalmente en la producción de diversas sustancias, por ejemplo adiponitrilo, metacrilato de metilo, agentes quelantes, cianuro de cloro, metionina y sus compuestos análogos hidroxilados y cianuro de sodio y de potasio. También se utiliza como fumigante en embarcaciones, vagones de ferrocarril, edificios grandes, silos de cereales y molinos de harina, así como para la fumigación de guisantes y semillas en

cámaras de vacío.

Otros cianuros, como los de sodio y potasio, son sales higroscópicas sólidas o cristalinas que se utilizan ampliamente en los procesos de extracción de minerales para la recuperación del oro y la plata, la galvanoplastia, el endurecimiento superficial del acero, la flotación de metales no preciosos, el desengrasado, teñido e impresión de metales y la fotografía. También se utilizan con frecuencia en la síntesis de sustancias químicas orgánicas e inorgánicas (por ejemplo, nitrilos, ácidos carboxílicos, amidas, ésteres y aminas; cianuros de metales pesados) y en la producción de agentes quelantes.

El cianuro que se libera en el medio ambiente procede de fuentes antropogénicas diversas. Las

emisiones al aire se deben a las industrias de fabricación y elaboración de productos químicos, como las metalúrgicas y de chapado metálico, y la extracción de oro y plata a partir de minerales de baja calidad. Otras

fuentes son la volatilización de los desechos de cianuro

existentes en los vertederos y estanques utilizados para su eliminación, las emisiones de los incineradores municipales de residuos sólidos, la combustión de biomasa, el consumo de combustibles fósiles, en particular las emisiones de los vehículos, las operaciones de fumigación y la producción de coque u otros procedimientos de carbonización del carbón.

Se forma cianuro de hidrógeno durante la combustión incompleta de polímeros que contienen nitrógeno, como ciertos plásticos, poliuretanos y lana. También está presente en el humo de los cigarrillos.

Puede haber fuentes no puntuales de emisiones de cianuro al agua a partir de la escorrentía de sales antiaglutinantes con cianuro utilizadas en las carreteras, la migración desde los vertederos y el arrastre y lavado de los cultivos agrícolas y de la atmósfera. Entre las fuentes puntuales de emisiones al agua están las descargas de instalaciones de extracción de oro, las operaciones de tratamiento de las aguas residuales, la producción de hierro y acero y otras industrias de fabricación de productos químicos orgánicos.

Las principales fuentes naturales de cianuro son más de 2000 especies de plantas, con inclusión de frutas y hortalizas, que contienen glucósidos cianogénicos, que cuando se ingieren pueden liberar cianuro por hidrólisis. Entre ellas, la yuca (tapioca, mandioca) y el sorgo son alimentos básicos de cientos de millones de personas ennumerosos países tropicales. Son glucósidos cianogénicos conocidos de plantas la amigdalina, la linamarina, la prunasina, la durrina, la lotaustralina y laConcise International Chemical Assessment Document 61

66 taxifilina. Los procesos biogénicos naturales de las plantas superiores, las bacterias y los hongos desprenden cianuro de hidrógeno en la atmósfera.

El cianuro está presente en el aire como cianuro de hidrógeno gaseoso, con una pequeña cantidad en partículas finas de polvo. Los cianuros pueden recorrer largas distancias desde sus respectivas fuentes de

emisión.

La mayoría de la población está expuesta a niveles muy bajos de cianuro en el medio ambiente general. Sin embargo, hay subgrupos específicos con un potencial más elevado de exposición. Entre ellos figuran las personas que intervienen en la elaboración de la yuca en gran escala o quienes consumen cantidades importantes de alimentos que contienen glucósidos cianogénicos preparados de manera inadecuada, como la yuca y alimentos especiales, como los huesos de albaricoque y las almendras amargas. Otros subgrupos con un gran potencial de exposición son los que se encuentran en las

cercanías de emisiones accidentales o intencionadas de fuentes puntuales, los fumadores activos y pasivos y las

víctimas de inhalación del humo a causa de incendios.

Los trabajadores pueden estar expuestos a los cianuros durante las operaciones de fumigación y durante la producción y utilización de cianuros en numerosos procesos industriales, por ejemplo la galvanoplastia, el endurecimiento supe rficial del acero y la extracción de oro y plata de los minerales.

Los cianuros se absorben bien a través del tracto gastrointestinal o la piel y con gran rapidez en el tracto respiratorio. Una vez absorbido, se distribuye de manera rápida y ubicua por todo el organismo, aunque las

concentraciones más elevadas se suelen encontrar en el hígado, los pulmones, la sangre y el cerebro. No hay acumulación de cianuro en la sangre o los tejidos tras la exposición crónica o repetida.

La rodanasa, enzima sulfotransferasa mitocondrial, y otras sulfotransferasas metabolizan en el hígado a

tiocianato alrededor del 80% del cianuro absorbido. El

tiocianato se excreta en la orina. Son vías secundarias para la desintoxicación del cianuro la reacción con la cistina para formar los ácidos aminotiazolincarboxílico e iminotiazolidincarboxílico y la combinación con la hidroxicobalamina (vitamina B 12a ) para forrmar cianocobalamina (vitamina B 12 ); estos productos finales

también se excretan en la orina.

Las principales características del perfil toxicológico del cianuro son su elevada toxicidad aguda por todas las vías de administración, con una curva de la relación dosis-efecto de pendiente muy pronunciada y dependiente de la tasa de aplicación, y su toxicidad crónica, probablemente mediada por el tiocianato, metabolito principal y producto de la desintoxicación. Los efectos tóxicos del ión cianuro en las personas y los animales son en general semejantes y parece que se deben a la inactivación de la citocromo oxidasa y la inhibición de la respiración celular y la consiguiente

anoxia histotóxica. La toxicidad del cianuro en las personas y los animales afecta fundamentalmente a los sistemas cardiovascular, respiratorio y nervioso central. El sistema endocrino también puede verse afectado por la toxicidad prolongada, debido a la exposición continuada al tiocianato, que impide la absorción de yodo en el tiroides y actúa como agente bociógeno.

En las personas, si bien con niveles de exposición de 20-40 mg/m 3 se pueden producir efectos ligeros, son

tolerables sin efectos inmediatos o tardíos concentraciones de 50-60 mg/m 3 durante un intervalo de 20 minutos a una hora, 120-150 mg/m 3 pueden provocar la muerte tras un intervalo de 0,5 a una hora, 150 mg/m 3
probablemente son mortales en 30 minutos, 200 mg/m 3
probablemente son mortales después de 10 minutos y 300 mg/m 3 son mortales de manera inmediata. La dosis letal más baja por vía oral notificada en personas es de 0,54 mg/kg de peso corporal y la dosis media absorbida en el momento de la muerte se ha estimado en 1,4 mg/kg de peso corporal (calculada como cianuro de hidrógeno). Entre las secuelas que aparecen tras una intoxicación aguda grave figuran manifestaciones neuropsiquiátricas y una enfermedad del tipo del Parkinson. Se ha señalado que el cianuro del humo del tabaco es un factor que contribuye a la ambliopía debi da al alcohol y el tabaco. La exposición prolongada a concentraciones más bajas de cianuro en los entornos ocupacionales puede provocar

diversos síntomas relacionados con efectos en el sistema

nervioso central.

El consumo prolongado de yuca, que contiene niveles elevados de glucósidos cianogénicos, se ha relacionado con la presencia de neuropatía atáxica tropical y paraparesia espástica y, en zonas con un consumo bajo de yodo, la aparición de hipotiroidismo, bocio y cretinismo. Si bien en zonas endémicas en algunos de esos casos se ha estimado la exposición al cianuro en alrededor de 15-50 mg/día, debido a las limitaciones de los datos sobre la exposición y el efectopotencial de factores de confusión, como la malnutrición, el bajo contenido en proteínas de la alimentación, las deficiencias de vitaminas y la concentración de yodo, los datos disponibles no proporcionan información fidedigna sobre la relación dosis-respuesta para el

cianuro.

Los datos sobre los efectos finales distintos de la toxicidad aguda son algo limitados. Esto se puede atribuir en gran parte a las dificultades para realizar, por ejemplo, investigaciones de dosis repetidas o de toxicidad crónica debido a la elevada toxicidad aguda del compuesto. Los cianuros son ligeramente irritantesHydrogen cyanide and cyanides: Human health aspects

67 de la piel y los ojos; no se han localizado datos sobre las propiedades de sensibilizac ión o carcinoge nicidad del cianuro de hidrógeno o de sus sales alcalinas. Aunque los datos disponibles son algo limitados, su valor demostrativo indica que el cianuro no es genotóxico y que induce efectos en el desarrollo sólo a dosis o concentraciones que son claramente tóxicas para las

madres.

Los datos disponibles sobre poblaciones humanas seconsideran insuficientes como base para una caracterización de la relación dosis-respuesta en el caso de la ingestión crónica de cianuro. En un estudio de toxicidadcon dosis repetidas de 13 semanas en el que se administró cianuro en el agua de bebida, no se detectaron signos clínicos asociados con efectos en el sistema nervioso central ni efectos histopatológicos en el cerebro o el tiroides de ratas o ratones expuestos a dosis de hasta 12,5 mg y 26 mg de cianuro/kg de peso corporal al día, respectivamente. Con 12,5 mg de cianuro/kg de peso corporal al día, se observaron ligeros cambios en el tracto reproductivo de las ratas macho, que, aunque aparentemente no afectarían a la fecundidad de las ratas, probablemente son importantes para las personas. La

concentración sin efectos adversos observados (NOAEL) para estos efectos fue de 4,5 mg/kg de peso corporal al día. El examen de la neurotoxicidad en esteestudio se limitó a la observación clínica y la microscopía óptica en la autopsia. Los escasos estudios disponibles orientados específicamente a investigar la neurotoxicidad, si bien informaban de efectos adversos con niveles de exposición de 1,2 mg de cianuro/kg de peso corporal al día en ratas y de 0,48 mg de cianuro/kg de peso corporal al día en cabras, tienen deficiencias que impiden realizar su evaluación cuantitativa.

En tres estudios separados con ratas relativos a la caracterización de la relación concentración-respuesta para la toxicidad de dosis repetidas por inhalación (importante en particular para el entorno ocupacional),

no se observaron efectos sistémicos adversos en las ratas expuestas a cianohidrina de acetona, que se hidroliza conrapidez a pH fisiológico para formar cianuro de hidrógeno, en concentraciones de hasta 211 mg/m 3 (equivalentes a una concentración de 67 mg de cianuro de hidrógeno/m 3 ). La pendiente de la curva de la relación dosis-respuesta se explica por la observación de una mortalidad del 30% entre las ratas expuestas durante una parte del día a 225 mg de cianohidrina de acetona/m 3
(71 mg de cianuro de hidrógeno/m 3 ).

Es poco probable la aparición de efectos adversos por la exposición a las bajas concentraciones de cianuro que normalmente se dan en el medio ambiente (<1 μg/m 3 en el aire exterior; <10 μg/l en el agua). Se pueden producir intoxicaciones agudas por cianuro comiendo almendras de albaricoque, cerezas de Virginia y almendras de otros frutos con concentraciones elevadas de glucósidos cianogénicos. La yuca preparada de manera inadecuada puede ser peligrosa cuando constituye la parte más importante de la alimentación.

### THE CONCISE INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT SERIES

Acrolein (No. 43, 2002) Acrylonitrile (No. 39, 2002) Arsine: Human health aspects (No. 47, 2002) Asphalt (bitumen) (No. 59, 2004) Azodicarbonamide (No. 16, 1999) Barium and barium compounds (No. 33, 2001) Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate (No. 26, 2000) Benzyl butyl phthalate (No. 17, 1999) Beryllium and beryllium compounds (No. 32, 2001) Biphenyl (No. 6, 1999) Bromoethane (No. 42, 2002) 1,3-Butadiene: Human health aspects (No. 30, 2001) 2-Butoxyethanol (No. 10, 1998) Carbon disulfide (No. 46, 2002) Chloral hydrate (No. 25, 2000) Chlorinated naphthalenes (No. 34, 2001) Chlorine dioxide (No. 37, 2001) 4-Chloroaniline (No. 48, 2003) Chlorobenzenes other than hexachlorobenzene: environmental aspects (No. 60, 2004) Chloroform (No. 58, 2004) Crystalline silica, Quartz (No. 24, 2000) Cumene (No. 18, 1999) 1,2-Diaminoethane (No. 15, 1999) 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (No. 2, 1998) 1,2-Dichloroethane (No. 1, 1998) 1,1-Dichloroethene (Vinylidene chloride) (No. 51, 2003) 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123) (No. 23, 2000) Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (No. 41, 2002) Diethyl phthalate (No. 52, 2003)

N

, N

-Dimethylformamide (No. 31, 2001) Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) (No. 27, 2000) Elemental mercury and inorganic mercury compounds: human health aspects (No. 50, 2003) Ethylenediamine (No. 15, 1999) Ethylene glycol: environmental aspects (No. 22, 2000) Ethylene glycol: human health aspects (No. 45, 2002) Ethylene oxide (No. 54, 2003) Formaldehyde (No. 40, 2002) 2-Furaldehyde (No. 21, 2000) Glyoxal (No. 57, 2004) HCFC-123 (No. 23, 2000) Hydrogen sulfide: human health aspects (No. 53, 2003) Limonene (No. 5, 1998) Manganese and its compounds (No. 12, 1999) Methyl and ethyl cyanoacrylates (No. 36, 2001) Methyl chloride (No. 28, 2000) Methyl methacrylate (No. 4, 1998)

N

-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (No. 35, 2001)

(continued on back cover)

### THE CONCISE INTERNATIONAL CHEMICAL ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT SERIES (continued)

Mononitrophenols (No. 20, 2000)

N

-Nitrosodimethylamine (No. 38, 2001) Phenylhydrazine (No. 19, 2000)

N

-Phenyl-1-naphthylamine (No. 9, 1998) Polychlorinated biphenyls: human health aspects (No. 55, 2003) Silver and silver compounds: environmental aspects (No. 44, 2002) 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (No. 3, 1998) 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (No. 11, 1998) Thiourea (No. 49, 2003)

o -Toluidine (No. 7, 1998) Tributyltin oxide (No. 14, 1999) Trichloropropane (No. 56, 2003) Triglycidyl isocyanurate (No. 8, 1998) Triphenyltin compounds (No. 13, 1999) Vanadium pentoxide and other inorganic vanadium compounds (No. 29, 2001)

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