Likely to cause
Can cause
May cause
Sodium cyanide
CAS: 143-33-9
How can this chemical affect my health?
Acute (Short Term) Effects
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Toxicity or fatality on contact, ingestion or inhalation to humans and other mammals.
Eye Irritation – Irritation or serious damage to the eyes.
Skin Irritation – Irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Chronic (Long Term) Effects
Reproductive Harm – Disruption of the male or female reproductive systems, changing sexual development, behavior or functions, decreasing fertility, or resulting in loss of the fetus during pregnancy.
Birth Defects – Harm to the developing child including birth defects, low birth weight and biological or behavioral problems that appear as the child grows.
Skin Sensitization – Allergic skin reactions.
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Damage to the nervous system including the brain.
Inherent Hazards
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.
How does this chemical impact the environment?
Persistent – Does not break down readily from natural processes.
Acute Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Biological harm or possible death to fish or other aquatic organisms following a single exposure.
Chronic Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms following long term exposure.
Harm to Land Ecosystems – Harm to land based plants, animals or microorganisms.
What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?
Information on safer alternatives is currently fairly limited, and not easily accessible or linked to information on chemicals in the workplace. Where we have information on safer alternatives, ChemHAT will display links to existing case studies of safer alternatives for the chemical.
How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?
Ingestion
Skin contact
Inhalation
How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?
Protective clothing
Handle with gloves
Respirator