Copper (I) Cyanide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause eye irritation. Skin: May cause skin irritation. May be absorbed through the skin in harmful amounts. If absorbed, causes symptoms similar to those of ingestion. May be metabolized to cyanide which in turn acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause tissue anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death. Ingestion of large amounts of copper salts may cause bloody stools and vomit, low blood pressure, jaundice and coma. Ingestion of copper compounds may produce systemic toxic effects to the kidney and liver and central nervous excitation followed by depression. Inhalation: Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects characterized by nausea, headache, dizziness, unconsciousness and coma. May cause cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood). May cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death. May cause effects similar to those described for ingestion. Exposure may cause blood abnormalities. May be metabolized to cyanide which in turns act by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Chronic: Repeated exposure may cause central nervous system damage. May be metabolized to cyanide which in turn acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Individuals with Wilson's disease are unable to metabolize copper. Thus, copper accumulates in various tissues and may result in liver, kidney, and brain damage. Chronic copper poisoning in man is recognized in the form of Wilson's disease. Chronic exposure to cyanide solutions may lead to the development of a "cyanide" rash, characterized by itching, and by macular, papular, and vesicular eruptions, and may be accompanied by secondary infections. Chronic exposure may produce loss of appetite, headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and upper respiratory tract irritation.