SDS Vault Safety Data Sheet Reference

Hydrogen Cyanide / Cyanide Salts

CAS: 74-90-8 Category: Industrial ⚠ DANGER
Also known as: HCN, Prussic acid, Sodium cyanide, Potassium cyanide

Quick Facts

CAS Number74-90-8
Signal WordDANGER
GHS Hazard Classesflammable, toxic, health hazard, environmental
NFPA RatingHealth: 4 / Flammability: 4 / Reactivity: 2
Common NamesHCN, Prussic acid, Sodium cyanide, Potassium cyanide
PubChem CID768

Hazard Summary

⚠ DANGER: OSHA IDLH is 50 ppm. LC50 (rat) ~120 ppm. Inhibits cellular oxygen use causing rapid incapacitation. Smell of bitter almonds is not reliable — 40% of people cannot detect it. Antidote (hydroxocobalamin/amyl nitrite) must be immediately available.

GHS Hazard Pictograms

🔥 Flammable ☠ Acutely Toxic ❤️ Health Hazard 🌊 Environmental

Hazard Statements (H-codes)

H225 – Highly flammable liquid and vapour (HCN)
H290 – May be corrosive to metals
H300+H310+H330 – Fatal if swallowed, skin contact, or inhaled
H400 – Very toxic to aquatic life
H410 – Very toxic with long lasting effects

Precautionary Statements (P-codes)

P260 – Do not breathe vapour
P264 – Wash hands thoroughly after use
P270 – Do not eat/drink/smoke when using
P271 – Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area
P301+P310 – IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call Poison Control

First Aid Measures (Section 4)

👁 Eye Contact
Flush with water while evacuating others — do not become a victim. Call 911.
🖐 Skin Contact
Flush with water. Remove contaminated clothing while wearing gloves. Seek emergency care.
🫁 Inhalation
MEDICAL EMERGENCY — call 911 immediately. Administer antidote kit (hydroxocobalamin or amyl nitrite/sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulfate) if trained. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth without barrier.
🫦 Ingestion
Call 911 and Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately. Administer antidote if trained.

Storage & Handling

🔒 Storage & Handling: Double-locked secure storage. OSHA PSM-regulated. Access-controlled. Incompatible with acids (releases HCN gas).

PPE Requirements

Full-face supplied-air respirator (SCBA for high concentrations)
Butyl rubber gloves
Chemical-resistant suit
Cyanide antidote kit on site
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