Sodium Cyanide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Pote ntial Health Effects May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin or eyes. Contact with acids or weak alkalies liberates poisonous gas. May cause eye burns and skin irritation and rashes. May cause rapid respirations and pulse, reddened eyes, flushed skin, weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting. These may be followed by unconsciousness, convulsions, cessation of breathing, loss of blood pressure, heart beat irregularities, dilation of pupils and death. The lungs may fill with liquid. SODIUM CYANIDE: Skin contact with Sodium cyanide may cause skin irritation with discomfort or rash; strong solutions may cause skin burns. or ulceration. Evidence suggests that significant skin permeation can occur in amounts capable of producing systemic toxicity. There are no reports of human sensitization. Eye contact with Sodium cyanide may cause eye irritation with discomfort, tearing, or blurring of vision. Prolonged exposure may cause eye corrosion with corneal or conjunctival ulceration. Inhalation, ingestion or skin contact of Sodium cyanide may cause nonspecific discomfort such as: Reddening of the eyes Nausea Irritation of the throat Headache Palpitation Weakness of arms and legs Difficulty in breathing Giddiness Salivation Collapse Numbness Convulsions (Continued) 1252CR Page 2