Cyanide Compounds

Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms.

Why this substance is hazardous

Most cyanide compounds release the cyanide anion (CN-) within the human body after ingestion, inhalation听or absorption through the skin. This anion disrupts aerobic respiration, the central nervous system and the听heart.听鈥�
Minor exposure can result in, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting and general muscle weakness.鈥�
Major exposure can result in convulsions, loss of consciousness, rapid lowering of blood pressure, lung听injury, slow heart rate and death.听鈥�
Long term health effect include the possibility of heart, brain or nerve damage.鈥�
Immediate treatment with 100% oxygen is a countermeasure to poisoning.鈥�

Cyanide is听used to purify gold from听its ore, hydrogen cyanide is used in process chemistry for example in听producing听adiponitrile听the precursor to nylon and sodium nitroprusside is used by medical professionals to听measure urine ketone bodies.鈥�
Potassium听ferrocyanide听is used to achieve a blue colour on cast bronze and other cyanide compounds are听used in jewellery making and for sepia toning (a photography technique).鈥�
Cyanides are important chemical reagents such as a single carbon synthon in synthetic strategies.鈥�

This is a controlled chemical听(Poison UCL ref PA007)听鈥� see information on standards for all 肠辞苍迟谤辞濒濒别诲听肠丑别尘颈肠补濒蝉.

Establish a designated area for working with cyanide compounds. Clearly marked听with signs identifying the chemical hazard and include an appropriate warning.听This should be in close听access to听an听emergency shower.听Handle cyanide compounds in a certified laboratory fume hood.鈥�
Keep acids out of the fume hood unless needed for the experiment. If needed, keep quantity to a minimum.鈥�
Be aware that many cyanide compounds will react with acids to form hydrogen cyanide gas.鈥�
Do NOT work alone听when using cyanide compounds, limit work to normal working hours set by your听department.鈥�

To clean fume hood surfaces, utensils, and glassware contaminated听with cyanide compounds, first use a pH 10 buffer solution, followed by cleaning with a freshly prepared 10%听bleach solution.
Conduct cleaning activities within the fume hood only.鈥�

Speed is essential
Remove from the contaminated area before treating.鈥�
Inhalation - Do not use mouth to mouth, it will expose the first aider.听Treat with high flow oxygen.听鈥�
Skin or eye contact. Wash with plenty of water (drench shower for large exposure). If an injured person shows respiratory听distress treat for inhalation. 鈥�
Ingestion. Do not induce vomiting,听do not give anything by mouth, if an injured person听shows respiratory distress treat for听inhalation.鈥�

None.

Last updated: Monday, June 7, 2021

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