Standard Operating Procedure
Sodium Cyanide
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/14/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
1/13/2013
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849,
907
(Name and Phone Number)
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
Sodium Cyanide
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
1
☐ Hazardous Class
Date: 01/08/2013
Purpose
Sodium cyanide is an acute and chronic toxin.
Contains cyanide which is very poisonous. Very harmful or fatal if inhaled, swallowed or in contact with
the skin or eyes. Can also be fatal if inhaled or ingested. It presents toxicity by skin absorption through
open wounds and by inhalation of dust. This substance inhibits cellular respiration, which leads to anoxia.
Blue discoloration or the skin (Cyanosis) tends to be associated with severe cyanide poisoning, but can
cause deceptively healthy pink to red skin color.
Sodium cyanide has applications in gold mining and has a high affinity for metals.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 143-33-9
Class: Toxic
Molecular Formula: NaCN
Form (physical state): Powder
Color: White
Boiling point: 1,496oC
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Sodium cyanide has a threshold limit value - time weighted average (TWA) of 5 mg/m3 (As CN).
Risks of cyanide exposure: Causes irritation to the eye. Contact with skin causes irritation and burns,
and concentrated HCN vapor can be absorbed through skin. Can be fatal if swallowed and cause tissue
anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to
deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness,
convulsions, coma and death. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system
effects and can be fatal Prolonged/repeated contact may cause skin necrosis and ulceration of the skin.
Cyanide acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Chronic exposure to cyanide
solutions may lead to "cyanide" rash with itching and vesicular eruptions with secondary infection. Small
amounts of cyanide over long periods of time causes loss of appetite, headache, weakness, and
respiratory irritation.
Sodium cyanide has the following oral toxicities:
Oral, rat: LD50 = 6440 ug/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 4.7 mg/kg;
Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 10400 ug/kg;
Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 300 mg/kg
Sodium Cyanide
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Date: 01/08/2013
Engineering Controls




Handle using a chemical fume hood with good ventilation and electrically grounded lines and
equipment.
Use containment devices (such as lab fume hoods or glove boxes) when: (i) volatilizing this
substance, (ii) manipulating substance that may generate aerosols, and (iii) performing laboratory
procedures that may result in uncontrolled release of the substance.
Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, carbon filters, or scrubber systems with
containment devices to protect effluent and vacuum lines, pumps, and the environment whenever
feasible. There must be regularly scheduled inspection of such filters to insure their continued
effectiveness.
Use ventilated containment to weigh out solid chemical. Alternatively, the tare method can be
used to prevent inhalation of the chemical. While working in a laboratory hood, the chemical is
added to a pre-weighed container. The container is then sealed and can be re-weighed outside of
the hood. If chemical needs to be added or removed, this manipulation is carried out in the hood.
In this manner, all open chemical handling is conducted in the laboratory hood.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in Lab Specific
Instructions.
Respiratory protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by
EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Refer to 8 CCR 5144 for selection of respirators. A respiratory protection program that
meets 8 CCR 5144 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant use of a
respirator.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:






As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have
been exhausted).
When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a
possibility that PEL will be exceeded.
Regulations require the use of a respirator.
An employer requires the use of a respirator.
There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in
the absence of PEL)
As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Handle with nitrile gloves. For extended or heavy use, recommend double-gloving using
nitrile. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique
Sodium Cyanide
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Date: 01/08/2013
(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose
of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good
laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-gloveselection-and-usage.html
Immersion protection
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: > 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril® (Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash protection
Material: Nitrile rubber
Sodium Cyanide
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Date: 01/08/2013
Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch
minimum) when appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved
under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI
Z87.1.
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and
flame resistant (where appropriate) lab coat must be worn for protecting against
chemical hazards.
Additional PPE may be required if procedures or processes present additional risk. It
is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that any additional PPE requirements are
identified and communicated to research staff.
Storage
Use unbreakable secondary containment for the storage of acutely toxic chemicals. If
the materials are volatile (or could react with moisture or air to form volatile toxic
compounds), containers should be in a ventilated storage area. All containers of acutely
toxic chemicals should be clearly labeled with chemical composition, known hazards,
and warnings for handling.
Chemicals that can combine to make toxic materials (e.g., acids and inorganic
cyanides, which can generate hydrogen cyanide) should not be stored in the same
secondary containment. Chemicals that have a limited shelf life need to be tracked and
monitored. Chemicals that require refrigeration should be stored appropriately.
Spill Response and Exposure Response
Before beginning work with chemicals, review the relevant SOPs, Safety Data
Sheets, and other chemical safety resources. Develop specific procedures for
emergency response and chemical exposure or injury to staff, including any special
first aid measures required for the relevant chemicals.
Sodium Cyanide
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Date: 01/08/2013
Spill and Accident Procedure
Note: These responses may not apply to all acutely toxic chemicals. Please review
specific chemical SOPs and SDSs for specific response to spills and accidents. Always
dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill Dial 911
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate
the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area
using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area
(e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.). Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in
emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor
and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeballs and inner surfaces of eyelids
with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the
eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up
with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 911 or go
to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S
within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang
Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious
injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090
to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) –
Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For
mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash
station. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to
the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be
reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the
incident.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
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Date: 01/08/2013
Label Waste

Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-newhazardous-waste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste
Management” for general instructions on procedures for disposing of
hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste


Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within six (6) months.
Call EH&S for questions
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
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Date: 01/08/2013
Protocol/Procedure for Sodium Cyanide
CAS#: 143-33-9
Chemical Storage
Keep container closed when not in use.
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.
Do not store near water or acids.
Sodium cyanide is incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, and carbon dioxide.
Preparation
Eliminate incompatible materials from potential spill area.
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Never work alone. Make sure there is another worker present who is also trained in the sodium cyanide SOP.
Chemical
Disposal
Collect sodium cyanide waste in labeled 1 gal. plastic containers.
Do not mix with other waste or incompatibles.
Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated location.
Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags.
Call EH&S for questions
Sodium Cyanide
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Date: 01/08/2013
Procedure/Use
Scale
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves,
clothing)
Procedure Steps and Precautions
1. Use of sodium
cyanide in an
experiment.
Up to 20 g of
sodium
cyanide
All work using sodium
cyanide must be
performed in a
ventilated fume hood.
Eye protection: Wear tightfitting safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields.
Eliminate incompatible materials
from the spill area.
Face protection: Wear a face
shield when not protected by a
lab hood sash.
Gloves: Wear nitrile gloves
when using sodium cyanide –
double nitrile gloves
recommended for heavy or
extended use. Remove and
dispose of gloves when
finished.
Clothing: Wear lab coat, fulllength pants or equivalent; and
close-toed closed heeled
shoes.
Notes
Sodium Cyanide
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
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Date: 01/08/2013
Handle sodium cyanide powder
carefully to prevent exposure to
skin.
Use a spatula to dispense the solid
into a weigh boat or onto weigh
paper on a balance. When
measuring is complete, add the solid
to the reaction flask and seal with a
flask-appropriate covering.
Clean up any powder that may have
spilled and discard everything
according to the chemical disposal
procedure.
Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with Sodium Cyanide, designated personnel must provide training to
his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific chemical(s)
used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Date: 01/08/2013
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Date: 01/08/2013