Hydrogen Cyanide
(alias of AC)
CAS RN:74-90-8
Health Effects
0.2.1 SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE - 0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Coma, tonic-clonic seizures, palpitations, dilated pupils, hyperventilation, hypoventilation, shock, cyanosis, severe metabolic acidosis, initial tachycardia and hypertension followed by bradycardia and hypotension, and respiratory arrest may be seen in serious poisonings. Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and a wide variety of cardiac conduction defects and arrhythmias may develop. Nausea and vomiting may be noted.
- B) Percutaneous absorption may occur, but is usually seen only with total-body liquid exposure or immersion. Dermal absorption of significant amounts of hydrogen cyanide gas has not been reported in humans.
0.2.4 HEENT - 0.2.4.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Dilated pupils are common in severe poisoning. Retinal arteries and veins that appear equally red on funduscopic examination suggest the diagnosis. Corneal edema may be seen. A burning sensation in the mouth and throat may occur.
- 0.2.4.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Transient blindness can occur, although it rarely does. Auditory disturbances are occasionally present in chronic poisoning.
0.2.5 CARDIOVASCULAR - 0.2.5.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Tachycardia and hypertension may be seen in the initial phases of cyanide poisoning. Bradycardia and hypotension are seen in the late phases of cyanide poisoning. EKG changes and ST-T segment elevation or depression may also be seen.
0.2.6 RESPIRATORY - 0.2.6.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Respiratory tract irritation, hyperpnea, tachypnea, hypoventilation, apnea, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and cyanosis may develop at various times after exposure.
- 0.2.6.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Upper respiratory tract irritation has been reported after chronic occupational exposure.
0.2.7 NEUROLOGIC - 0.2.7.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Headache may be an early sign of cyanide poisoning. CNS stimulation with varied presentations may be seen in the early stages of cyanide poisoning. Coma and seizures are common in severe cyanide poisoning. In one case paralysis occurred, and parkinsonian syndromes have been observed. Rare cases of neurological sequelae have been reported.
- 0.2.7.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Symptoms reported after chronic exposure include vertigo, tremors, weakness, dizziness, mental confusion, motor aphasia, slurred speech, permanent mental and motor impairment, hemiparesis, seizures and progressive mental deterioration.
0.2.8 GASTROINTESTINAL - 0.2.8.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain may occur after ingestion of cyanide salts.
- 0.2.8.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Nausea, vomiting and violent or recurring abdominal pain may occur.
0.2.11 ACID-BASE - 0.2.11.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Increased anion gap metabolic acidosis and serum lactate levels are common.
0.2.13 HEMATOLOGIC - 0.2.13.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Cherry-red venous blood may occur and is due to the inability of tissue to remove oxygen from the blood.
- 0.2.13.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Anemia may be present in a well-developed case of chronic poisoning.
0.2.14 DERMATOLOGIC - 0.2.14.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Cyanide has been said to be absorbed through intact skin.
- 0.2.14.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Dermal irritation has been reported after chronic exposure.
0.2.15 MUSCULOSKELETAL - 0.2.15.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE
- A) Lassitude and easy fatigue are usually present.
0.2.16 ENDOCRINE - 0.2.16.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Insulin resistance was noted in a severely cyanide-poisoned patient.
0.2.18 PSYCHIATRIC - 0.2.18.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE
- A) Irrational and violent behavior and manic episodes occurred in a patient after inhalation exposure.
0.2.20 REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS - A) At the time of this review, no reproductive studies were found for hydrogen cyanide in humans.
- B) In laboratory animals, related cyanide compounds did cause resorptions, malformations and teratogenic effects in offspring.
0.2.21 CARCINOGENICITY - 0.2.21.1 IARC CATEGORY
- A) IARC Carcinogenicity Ratings for CAS74-90-8 (IARC, 2004):
- 0.2.21.2 HUMAN OVERVIEW
- A) At the time of this review, no studies were found on the potential carcinogenic activity of hydrogen cyanide in humans.
- 0.2.21.3 ANIMAL OVERVIEW
- A) At the time of this review, no studies were found on the potential carcinogenic activity of hydrogen cyanide in laboratory animals.
0.2.22 GENOTOXICITY - A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the mutagenic or genotoxic potential of this agent.
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