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Chemical Sampling Information |
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| Hydrogen Cyanide |
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General Description
Synonyms: Hydrocyanic acid; Prussic acid; Formonitrile; HCN
OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1440
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 74-90-8
NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: MW6825000
Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1051 117 (>20% solution); 1051 117 (anhydrous); 1613 154 (≤20% solution)
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Hydrogen Cyanide: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more
Exposure Limits
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 10 ppm, 11 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 10 ppm, 11 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 10 ppm, 11 mg/m3 TWA; Skin
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 4.7 ppm, 5 mg/m3 Ceiling; Skin
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 4.7 ppm, 5 mg/m3 STEL; Skin
Health Factors
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carcinogenic classification: Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity
NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 50 ppm
Potential symptoms: Asphyxia and death at high levels, preceded by seizures, coma with abolished deep reflexes and dilated pupils, paralysis; weakness; dizziness; numbness; tremor; loss of visual acuity; headaches; nausea, vomiting; loss of appetite, weight loss; increased rate and depth of respiration, or slow and gasping respiration; eye irritation; rash, chemical burns on skin; enlargement of thyroid gland
Health Effects: Acute Systemic Toxicity (HE4); Cumulative systemic toxicity---weight loss (HE3); Irritation-Eyes, Skin---skin lesions
Affected organs: CNS, cardiovascular system, thyroid, eyes, skin
Notes:
- Fatal concentrations in air that have been reported for various exposure times are 109 ppm for one hour, 182 ppm for 10 minutes, and 364 ppm for 2 minutes.
- Neurological sequelae in survivors of acute cyanide poisoning include parkinsonism and dystonia.
- Regulated by OSHA under 29 CFR 1910.119 (Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals).
Date Last Revised: 06/30/2003
Literature Basis:
- (symptoms)
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): Toxicological Profile for Cyanide (Update). PHS, U.S. DHHS, Atlanta, GA, 1997.
- U.S. EPA Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics Website: Cyanide Compounds.
- (fatal concentrations; conversion factor, 1 ppm=1.10 mg/m3)
NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances: Hydrocyanic acid.
- (neurological sequelae)
Albin, R.L.: Basal ganglia neurotoxins. Neurol. Clin. 18(3): 665-680, 2000.
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
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sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns in series with Midget Fritted Glass Bubbler (MFGB) containing 10 mL 0.1 N NaOH
maximum volume: 120 Liters maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min
current analytical method: Ion Specific Electrode; ISE
method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-120)
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Submit as a separate sample. If present, sulfide should be listed as an interference. Particulate cyanide, if present (see Cyanide (as CN)), is collected on the filter. HCN is collected in the Midget Fritted Glass Bubbler. Within 1 hour after the sample has been collected, transfer the filter to a clean screw cap vial containing 10 mL 0.1 N of NaOH.
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sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter (MCEF) 0.8 microns in series with Soda Lime sampling tube (600/200 mg)
maximum volume: 90 Liters maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min
current analytical method: Ion Specific Electrode; ISE
method reference: Modification of NIOSH Method (NIOSH 6010) with OSHA Method ID-120
method classification: Fully Validated
note: Submit as a separate sample. If present, sulfide should be listed as an interference. Particulate cyanide, if present (see Cyanide (as CN)), is collected on the filter. HCN is collected on the Soda Lime sampling tube. Within 1 hour after the sample has been collected, transfer the filter to a clean screw cap vial containing 10 mL of 0.1 N NaOH.
On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: AUER/MSA
model/type: HCN-2, MSA P/N 803945, AUER P/N 5085-824
sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
upper measurement limit: 50 ppm
detection limit: approx. 2 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 12LL
sampling information: 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 7 ppm
detection limit: 0.05 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.2 to 2 ppm, 8% for 3 to 7 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 12L
sampling information: 0.5 to 5 strokes
upper measurement limit: 120 ppm
detection limit: 0.1 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 2.5 to 20 ppm, 8% for 20 to 60 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 12M
sampling information: 0.5 to 2 strokes
upper measurement limit: 2400 ppm
detection limit: 1 ppm
overall uncertainty: 16% for 50 to 200 ppm, 8% for 200 to 800 ppm
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Gastec
model/type: 12H
sampling information: 1 stroke
upper measurement limit: 1.6%
detection limit: 0.005%
overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.05 to 0.4%, 8% for 0.4 to 2%
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-112SB
sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
upper measurement limit: 100 ppm
detection limit: approx. 0.5 ppm
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
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device: Detector Tube
manufacturer: Matheson-Kitagawa
model/type: 8014-112SA
sampling information: follow manufacturer’s instructions
upper measurement limit: 3.0%
detection limit: approx. 0.01%
overall uncertainty: unknown
method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)
Wipe sampling: No
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