Copper Cyanide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Causes cyanosis (blue-gray skin and lips caused by lack of oxygen). May be fatal if inhaled, absorbed through skin, or swallowed. Inhalation Highly toxic. Ingestion Corrosive and may cause severe and permanent damage to mouth, throat, and stomach. May cause nausea or abdominal discomfort. Bitter almond odor may be noted on the breath or vomit. If vomiting does not occur immediately systemic copper poisoning may occur. Symptoms may include capillary damage, headache, cold sweat, weak pulse, kidney and liver damage, central nervous excitation followed by depression, jaundice, convulsions, paralysis, and coma. Death may occur from shock or renal failure. Inhalation Highly toxic. Corrosive. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, decreased blood pressure, changes in heart rate, and cyanosis may result from overexposure to vapor or skin exposure. Skin Substance is corrosive. Causes severe skin burns. Substance is harmful if absorbed through the skin. Large exposures may be fatal. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause irritation. Eye Corrosive. Will cause eye burns and permanent tissue damage. Exposure may aggravate other pre-existing diseases, including diseases of the eyes, skin and lungs. Copper salts when ingested in high doses can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, anemia and secondary liver and kidney damage. Prolonged or repeated exposure to dusts of copper salts may cause discoloration of the skin or hair, ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, runny nose, metallic taste, atrophic changes, and irritation of the mucous membranes. Exposure to cyanide can inhibit oxygen use by body cells causing metabolic asphyxiation. Reduced levels of oxygen in the blood can cause central nervous system damage. Early symptoms of exposure are effects such as weakness, headache, and confusion. Continued exposure causes a weak and irregular heartbeat, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma, and death. Cyanites are fast acting and highly poisonous by ingestion. A few breaths of hydrogen cyanide gas can stop respiration and cause unconsciousness. After long-term exposures (15 ppm) there have been reports of thyroid dysfunction in some individuals. Preparation for emergency first aid involving cyanide must be done before the exposure occurs. All employees working with cyanide must receive detailed training in first aid procedures, safe handling and the use of commercially available cyanide antidote kits.