Sodium nitroprusside, ACS

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: red crystals Warning! Contact with acid liberates cyanide gas. May cause respiratory tract irritation. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air.) Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. May cause eye and skin irritation. Target Organs: Blood, cardiovascular system.

Potential health effects

Eye: May cause eye irritation. Skin: May cause skin irritation. May be metabolized to cyanide which, in turn, acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Ingestion: Metabolism may release cyanide, which may result in headache, dizziness, weakness, collapse, unconsciousness, and possible death. Ingestion may result in symptoms similar to cyanide poisoning which is characterized by asphyxiation. Large doses of cyanide may result in sudden loss of consciousness and prompt death; small doses will prolong the above symptoms 1 to 2 hours. - 1 - Inhalation: May cause irritation of the respiratory tract. May be metabolized to cyanide which, in turn, acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Sodium nitroprusside dihydrate releases nitric oxide in vivo, induces vasodilation, and inhibits platelet aggregation. Chronic: May be metabolized to cyanide which, in turn, acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. 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. Exposure to small amounts of cyanide compounds over long periods of time is reported to cause loss of appetite, headache, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and symptoms of irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.