The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

Potassium cyanide

RTECS #: TS8750000

CAS #: 151-50-8

UPDATE: May 2005 MW: 65.12 MF: CKN


NOTE:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
  1. SYNONYMS:
  2. MUTATION DATA:
  3. REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA:
  4. ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
  5. OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA:
  6. REVIEWS:
  7. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:
  8. NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:
  9. STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:
  10. REFERENCES:

SYNONYMS:

  1. Cyanide of potassium
  2. Cyanure de potassium (French)
  3. Hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt
  1. KCN
  2. Potassium cyanide (ACGIH)
  3. RCRA waste number P098


SKIN AND EYE IRRITATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
N/R
 N/R N/R N/R


MUTATION DATA AND REFERENCES:

SYSTEM TEST ROUTE/
ORGANISM/
TISSUE 		DOSE REFERENCE
cytogenetic analysis human lymphocyte 70 mg/L/24 hour MUREAV 537,117,2003
cytogenetic analysis mouse mammary gland 1 mmol/L/48 hour MUREAV 67,221,1979
DNA damage rat liver 300 µmol/L MUREAV 368,59,1996
DNA damage rat other cell types 5 mmol/L/6 hour TOLED5 128,185,2002
DNA inhibition mouse lymphocyte 1 mmol/L NEOLA4 28,423,1981
DNA repair Escherichia coli 39 µg/well MUREAV 133,161,1984


REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 45 mg/kg (1-15 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus) TJADAB 25(2),84A,1982
oral
domestic animal 		lowest published toxic dose: 1,767 mg/kg (8-20 week pregnant/44 day after birth) Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Weaning or lactation index (e.g., # alive at weaning per # alive at day 4)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Other neonatal measures or effects 		RJARAV 16,109,1978
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 65 gm/kg (14 day prior to copulation/1-22 day pregnant) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Other measures of fertility BNEOBV 36,233,1979


TUMORIGENIC DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
N/R
 N/R N/R N/R


ACUTE TOXICITY DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intraarterial
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 5 mg/kg N/R AEPPAE 131,171,1928
intramuscular
pigeon 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4 mg/kg N/R JJPAAZ 3,99,1954
intramuscular
rat 		lowest published lethal dose: 8 mg/kg N/R 27ZIAQ -,209,1973
intramuscular
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3,256 µg/kg N/R JACTDZ 1(3),120,1982
intraperitoneal
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 8 mg/kg N/R CRSBAW 96,202,1927
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 10 mg/kg/3 minute Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Liver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation) 		VCVN1* -,342,1988
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5.7 mg/kg N/R TOLED5 132,95,2002
intraperitoneal
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4 mg/kg Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes JAPYAA 32,315,1972
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 7 mg/kg Ear: Change in cochlear structure or function NETEEC 23,157,2001
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 2 mg/kg Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Dopamine in striatum

Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Catecholamine levels in CNS 		FCTOD7 42,605,2004
intraperitoneal
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3,972 µg/kg Blood: Other changes TOXID9 3,64,1983
intravenous
cat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2,200 µg/kg N/R PSEBAA 35,316,1936
intravenous
cat 		lowest published toxic dose: 1 mg/kg Brain and Coverings: Changes in surface EEG

Cardiac: Arrythmias (indlucing changes in conduction)

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction 		EKFAE9 57,60,1994
intravenous
dog 		lowest published lethal dose: 5 mg/kg N/R 27ZIAQ -,209,1973
intravenous
domestic animal 		lowest published lethal dose: 10 mg(CN)/kg/11 minute N/R VCVN1* -,342,1988
intravenous
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 5 mg/kg N/R AEPPAE 131,171,1928
intravenous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 2,600 µg/kg Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation 		JJPAAZ 3,99,1954
intravenous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 3,600 µg/kg Behavioral: Altered sleep time (including change in righting reflex)

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea 		DDREDK 5,225,1985
ocular
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 7,870 µg/kg Eye: Other eye effects

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory stimulation 		JTOTDO 2,119,1983
oral
human 		lowest published lethal dose: 2,857 µg/kg N/R 34ZIAG -,191,1969
oral
man 		lowest published toxic dose: 13,699 µg/kg Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Behavioral: Coma

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Changes in: Metabolic acidosis 		JTCTDW 25,121,1987
oral
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 8,500 µg/kg N/R JPETAB 161,163,1968
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5 mg/kg N/R ARTODN 54,275,1983
oral
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6 mg/kg Behavioral: Tetany

Behavioral: Ataxia

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction 		VCVN1* -,342,1988
oral
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 5 mg/kg N/R 27ZIAQ -,209,1973
oral
woman 		lowest published toxic dose: 100 mg/kg Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Cardiac: Pulse rate increased without fall in BP

Vascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section 		AJEMEN 1,94,1983
subcutaneous
dog 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6 mg/kg Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold ATXKA8 21,89,1965
subcutaneous
frog 		lowest published lethal dose: 60 mg/kg N/R AIPTAK 3,77,1897
subcutaneous
guinea pig 		lowest published lethal dose: 8 mg/kg N/R CRSBAW 96,202,1927
subcutaneous
mouse 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6,500 µg/kg N/R NYKZAU 54,1057,1958
subcutaneous
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 7 mg/kg Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on cyclic nucleotides 		TXCYAC 179,29,2002
subcutaneous
rat 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 7,814 µg/kg N/R ATSUDG 14,231,1991
subcutaneous
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 4 mg/kg Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes JJPAAZ 3,99,1954
subcutaneous
rabbit 		lethal dose (50 percent kill): 6 mg/kg N/R TOLED5 132,95,2002
skin
human 		lowest published lethal dose: 80 pph N/R VCVN1* -,342,1988
skin
rabbit 		lowest published lethal dose: 1 pph/1 hour N/R VCVN1* -,343,1988
unreported route
human 		lowest published lethal dose: 1.71 mg/kg N/R VCVN1* -,342,1988


OTHER MULTIPLE DOSE DATA AND REFERENCES:

ROUTE/
ORGANISM 		DOSE
EFFECT

 REFERENCE
intramuscular
domestic animal 		lowest published toxic dose: 168 mg/kg/20 week- intermittent Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes

Spinal Cord: Other degenerative changes 		FCTOD7 40,1693,2002
intraperitoneal
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 72 mg/kg/12 day- intermittent Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes TOXID9 36(1,pt2),15,1997
intraperitoneal
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 21 mg/kg/3 day- intermittent Ear: Change in cochlear structure or function NETEEC 23,157,2001
oral
domestic animal 		lowest published toxic dose: 483 mg/kg/23 week- intermittent Behavioral: Ataxia

Behavioral: Tremor 		FCTOD7 40,1693,2002
oral
domestic animal 		lowest published toxic dose: 193.2 mg/kg/23 week- intermittent Spinal Cord: Other degenerative changes

Blood: Hemorrhage 		FCTOD7 40,1693,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 288 mg/kg/30 day- continuous Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases

Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on mitochondrial function 		TSUMEZ 15,219,1996
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 31,500 mg/kg/50 week- continuous Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition

Endocrine: Changes in thyroid weight

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain 		JTEHD6 5,579,1979
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 14,420 mg/kg/13 week- continuous Behavioral: Food intake (animal)

Behavioral: Fluid intake

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain 		TOLED5 57,195,1991
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 4.2 mg/kg/14 day- intermittent Endocrine: Other changes

Blood: Changes in serum composition (e.g. TP, bilirubin, cholesterol)

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases 		TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 42 mg/kg/14 day- intermittent Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Endocrine: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Transaminases 		TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 126 mg/kg/14 day- intermittent Liver: Other changes

Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain 		TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 4.5 mg/kg/15 day- intermittent Endocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunction TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 45 mg/kg/15 day- intermittent Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Endocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunction 		TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 135 mg/kg/15 day- intermittent Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis)

Endocrine: Evidence of thyroid hypofunction

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain 		TXCYAC 174,87,2002
oral
rabbit 		lowest published toxic dose: 45 gm/kg/6 week- intermittent Gastrointestinal: Other changes

Liver: Other changes

Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases 		CBPCEE 109,215,1994
subcutaneous
mouse 		lowest published toxic dose: 84 mg/kg/7 day- intermittent Behavioral: Somnolence (general depressed activity)

Behavioral: Rigidity (includes catalepsy)

Biochemical: Neurotransmitters or modulators (putative): Dopamine in striatum 		TXAPA9 126,156,1994
subcutaneous
rat 		lowest published toxic dose: 11 mg/kg/22 week- intermittent Brain and Coverings: Demyelination

Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes 		VCVN1* -,343,1988


REVIEWS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value ceiling concentration 5 mg/m3 (skin) DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW
FNSCA6 2,67,1973


STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD
REFERENCE
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATION FEREAC 54,7740,1989
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDES: Cancelled RBREV* -,257,1998
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) 8 hour time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) 8 hour time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3 CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRALIA time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit - AUSTRIA MAK 5 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - DENMARK time-weighted average 5 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - FRANCE VME 5 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - GERMANY MAK 5 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - POLAND time-weighted average 0.3 mg(CN)/m3, CEILING 10 mg(CN)/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - SWITZERLAND MAK- week 5 mg/m3, KZG- week 10 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit - UNITED KINGDOM time-weighted average 5 mg(CN)/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN, KOREA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value;

ceiling concentration 5 mg/m3 (skin)
Occupational Exposure Limit IN NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value
ceiling concentration 5 mg/m3 (skin)


NIOSH DOCUMENTATION AND SURVEILLANCE:

ORGANIZATION STANDARD or SURVEY
REFERENCE
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO CYANIDE-air ceiling concentration 4.7 ppm(CN)/10 minute NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974: Hazard Code: 60400;
Number of Industries 45;
Total Number of Facilities 2,204;
Number of Occupations 30;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 12,274
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983: Hazard Code: 60400;
Number of Industries 57;
Total Number of Facilities 4,594;
Number of Occupations 47;
Total Number of Employees Exposed 64,238;
Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 23,645


STATUS IN FEDERAL AGENCIES:

ORGANIZATION
REFERENCE
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/98/101207/AS)
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
On EPA IRIS database
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Cyanides (aerosol and gas), 7904


REFERENCES:

CODEN
REFERENCE
27ZIAQ "Drug Dosages in Laboratory Animals - A Handbook," Rev. ed., Barnes, C.D., and L.G. Eltherington, Berkeley, Univ. of California Press, 1973
34ZIAG "Toxicology of Drugs and Chemicals," Deichmann, W.B., New York, Academic Press, Inc., 1969
AEPPAE Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archiv fuer Experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmakologie. (Berlin, Ger.) V.110-253, 1925-66. For publisher information, see NSAPCC.
AIPTAK Archives Internationales de Pharmacodynamie et de Therapie. (Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium) V.4- 1898-
AJEMEN American Journal of Emergency Medicine. (WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA) V.1- 1983-
ARTODN Archives of Toxicology. (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberger Pl. 3, D-1000 Berlin 33, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.32- 1974-
ATSUDG Archives of Toxicology, Supplement. (Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., Service Center, 44 Hartz Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094) No.1- 1978-
ATXKA8 Archiv fuer Toxikologie. (Berlin, Fed. Rep. Ger.) V.15-31, 1954-74. For publisher information, see ARTODN.
BNEOBV Biology of the Neonate. (S. Karger Pub., Inc., 79 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003) V.15- 1970-
CBPCEE Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, C: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology. (Elsevier Science, 660 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, NY 10591) V.74- 1983-
CFRGBR Code of Federal Regulations. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt. of Documents, Washington, DC 20402)
CRSBAW Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de Ses Filiales. (SPPIF, B.P.22, F-41353 Vineuil, France) V.1- 1849-
DDREDK Drug Development Research. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1981-
DTLVS* The Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) booklet issues by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), Cincinnati, OH, 1996
EKFAE9 Eksperimental'naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya. Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology. (Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, ul. B. Yakimanka, 39, 117049 Moscow, Russia) V.55- 1992-
FCTOD7 Food and Chemical Toxicology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.20- 1982-
FEREAC Federal Register. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt. of Documents, Washington, DC 20402) V.1- 1936-
FNSCA6 Forensic Science. (Lausanne, Switzerland) V.1-11, 1972-78. For pub lisher information, see FSINDR.
JACTDZ Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1651 Third Ave., New York, NY 10128) V.1-12, 1982-1993. Discontinued.
JAPYAA Journal of Applied Physiology. (Bethesda, MD) V.1-41, 1948-76.
JJPAAZ Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. (Japanese Pharmacological Soc., c/o Dept. of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto Univ., Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan) V.1- 1951-
JPETAB Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. (Williams & Wilkins Co., 428 E. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21202) V.1- 1909/10-
JTCTDW Journal of Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.19- 1982-
JTEHD6 Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. (Hemisphere Pub., 1025 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005) V.1- 1975/76-
JTOTDO Journal of Toxicology, Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology. (Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016) V.1- 1982-
MUREAV Mutation Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1964-
NEOLA4 Neoplasma. (Karger-Libri, P.O. Box, CH-4009 Basel, Switzerland) V.4- 1957-
NETEEC Neurotoxicology and Teratology. (Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, NY 10523) V.9- 1987-
NIOSH* National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Reports and Memoranda.
NYKZAU Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. (Nippon Yakuri Gakkai, c/o Kyoto Daigaku Igakubu Yakurigaku Kyoshitsu, Konoe-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan) V.40- 1944-
PSEBAA Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1903/04-
RBREV* Status of Pesticides in Registration, Reregistration, and Special Review (Rainbow Report), Special Review and Reregistration Division Office of Pesticide Programs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M. Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460, Spring 1998
RJARAV Rhodesian Journal of Agricultural Research. (Salisbury, Rhodesia) V.1-17, 1963-79.
TJADAB Teratology, The International Journal of Abnormal Development. (Alan R. Liss, Inc., 41 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003) V.1- 1968-
TOLED5 Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977-
TOXID9 Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- 1981-
TSUMEZ Toxic Substance Mechanisms. (Taylor & Francis, 1900 Frost Rd., Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007) V.14- 1995-
TXAPA9 Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. (Academic Press, Inc., 1 E. First St., Duluth, MN 55802) V.1- 1959-
TXCYAC Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973-
VCVN1* "Vrednie chemichescie veshestva. Neorganicheskie soedinenia elementov I-IV groopp" (Hazardous substances. Inornanic substances containing I-IV group elements), Filov V.A., Chimia, 1988.

NIOSH PROFILE (PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING), FIRL, 4/78

RTECS Compound Description:
   Organometallic
   Mutagen
   Reproductive Effector
   Human Data

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