GHS Classification Result

Chemical Name:Potassium cyanide
CAS:151-50-8

Result:
ID: 123
Classifier: Inter-ministerial Committee on GHS
Year Classified: FY2006
Reference Manual: GHS Classification Manual (10 Feb, 2006)

PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Explosives Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive properties
2 Flammable gases (including chemically unstable gases) Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
3 Aerosols Not applicable - - - - Not aerosol products
4 Oxidizing gases Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
5 Gases under pressure Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
6 Flammable liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
7 Flammable solids Not classified - - - - Non-flammable (ICSC, 2004)
8 Self-reactive substances and mixtures Not applicable - - - - Containing no chemical groups with explosive or self-reactive properties
9 Pyrophoric liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
10 Pyrophoric solids Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 2004)
11 Self-heating substances and mixtures Not classified - - - - Non-combustible (ICSC, 2004)
12 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Not classified - - - - Stable to water - water solubility: 71.8g/100mL, ICSC (2004)
13 Oxidizing liquids Not applicable - - - - Classified as "solid" according to GHS definition
14 Oxidizing solids Not applicable - - - - Inorganic compounds containing no oxygen and halogen
15 Organic peroxides Not applicable - - - - Not organic compounds
16 Corrosive to metals Classification not possible - - - - Test methods applicable to solid substances are not available

HEALTH HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
1 Acute toxicity (Oral) Category 2 Danger H300: Fatal if swallowed P301+P310: IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P321: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P330: Rinse mouth.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the rat LD50 (oral route) value of 10mg/kg representing the lower of the two testing data, 10mg/kg and 7.49 mg/kg (CICAD 61 (2004)).
1 Acute toxicity (Dermal) Category 1 Danger H310: Fatal in contact with skin P302+P350: IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water.
P262: Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P310: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P322: Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P361: Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
P363: Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the testing data of rabbit LD50 (dermal route) of 22.3mg/kg (CICAD 61 (2004)).
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Gases) Not applicable - - - - Due to the fact that the substance is "solid" according to the GHS definition and inhalation of its gas is not expected.
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Vapours) Classification not possible - - - - No data available
1 Acute toxicity (Inhalation: Dusts and mists) Classification not possible - - - - No data available
2 Skin corrosion/irritation Category 3 - Warning H316: Causes mild skin irritation P332+P313: If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention. Based on the following description found in CICAD (2004): "Cyanide is slightly irritating to the skin and eye", although no data is available for potassium cyanide. Although the present substance is a salt of a weak acid and a strong base and the pH of its aqueous solution is expected to exceed 11.5, no description specifying the pH could be found, so classification by pH was not conducted.
3 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Category 2A-2B Warning H319: Causes serious eye irritation P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P337+P313: If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
Based on the following description found among the data on cyanide in CICAD (2004): "conjunctival hyperaemia with mild chemosis, lacrimation, photophobia, and tingling sensation", although the substance should be placed in Category 2A from the viewpoint of safety. Although the present substance is a salt of a weak acid and a strong base and the pH of its aqueous solution is expected to exceed 11.5, no description specifying the pH could be found, so classification by pH was not conducted.
4 Respiratory sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
4 Skin sensitization Classification not possible - - - - No data available
5 Germ cell mutagenicity Classification not possible - - - - Based on the absence of data on multi-generation mutagenicity tests, in vivo germ/somatic cell mutagenicity tests, in vivo germ/somatic cell genotoxicity tests, and no strong positive data on in vitro mutatogenicity tests (several indices), described in CICAD 61 (2004).
6 Carcinogenicity Classification not possible - - - - No data available
7 Reproductive toxicity Classification not possible - - - - Insufficient data available
8 Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure Category 2 (central nervous system) Warning H371: May cause damage to organs (central nervous system) P309+P311: IF exposed or if you feel unwell: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P405: Store locked up.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the human evidence including "coma, bradypnea, parkinsonian syndromes (following ingestion)," "severe damage to the putamen and globus pallidus (observed in autopsy specimens)," "coma, apnea, metabolic acidosis, convulsions (within an hour of exposure)" (HSDB (2000)). A brain disorder is indicated - which is considered an unusual case, given the absence of similar data and the description to the effect that "this clinical report is the first of its kind concerning Parkinson's disease in relation to the toxicity of cyanogen compounds." The effects are observed in the central nervous system.
9 Specific target organ toxicity - Repeated exposure Category 1 (thyroid, kidney, liver, spleen, central nervous system) Danger H372: Cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (thyroid, kidney, liver, spleen, central nervous system) P260: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
P264: Wash ... thoroughly after handling.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P314: Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Based on the evidence from animal studies including "degeneration of the kidneys, liver and thyroid gland," "cytoplasmic vacuolation possibly reflecting edematous degeneration of the epithelial cells lining proximal convoluted tubules; spheroids in the anterior horn of spinal cord, loss of nerve cells in the hippocampus, Purkinje cell damage, neuropathological findings including cerebellar deficiency" (CICAD 61 2004). The effects on experimental animals were observed at dosing levels within the guidance value ranges for Category 1.
10 Aspiration hazard Classification not possible - - - - No data available

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Hazard class Classification Symbol Signal word Hazard statement Precautionary statement Rationale for the classification
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute) Category 1 Warning H400: Very toxic to aquatic life P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
It was classified into Category 1 from 96 hours LC50=0.113mg/L of the crustacea (Mysid Shrimp)) (ECETOC TR91, 2003).
11 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Long-term) Category 1 Warning H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects P273: Avoid release to the environment.
P391: Collect spillage.
P501: Dispose of contents/container to ...
Since acute toxicity was Category 1 and an underwater action and bio-accumulation were unknown, it was classified into Category 1.


NOTE:
* Classification was conducted by relevant Japanese Ministries in accordance with GHS Classification Guidance for the Japanese Government, and is intended to provide a reference for preparing GHS labelling and SDS for users.
* This is a provisional English translation of classification results and is subject to revision without notice.
* The responsibility for any resulting GHS labelling and SDS referenced from this site is with users.

Reference:
Reference Manual

Definitions / Abbreviations

Model Label by MHLW

MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)

Model SDS by MHLW

MHLW Website (in Japanese Only)


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