Guidance

Sodium and potassium cyanide: general information

Updated 14 August 2024

Overview

Sodium and potassium cyanide are white crystal-like solids with faint almond odour.

When cyanide salts are ingested, they release cyanide in the body; cyanide salts can be absorbed through the skin.

Exposure to cyanide salts can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, nervousness, confusion, changes in heart rate and drowsiness. They can also cause a loss of consciousness, fitting, vomiting and low blood pressure.

Symptoms may be delayed for 2 to 4 hours if ingested on a full stomach. The effects described may also follow skin contact, potentially with a delay of a few hours.

Sodium or potassium cyanide in contact with the eyes can cause watering, pain, redness, swelling, burns, sensitivity to light and potentially damage.

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of sodium or potassium cyanide high enough to cause adverse health effect.

Uses of sodium and potassium cyanide

Sodium and potassium cyanide are both used in industry for metal cleaning, plating and extraction, and photography. They are also used to make other chemicals.

How sodium and potassium cyanide get into the environment

Cyanide salts may be present in the environment as a result of industrial activities. Sodium or potassium cyanide could be released into the environment from industry in which they are produced, transported, stored, used or disposed of. They may also be released following accidental spills.

Exposure to sodium and potassium cyanide

Exposure to sodium or potassium cyanide is most likely to occur in the workplace where salts of cyanide are produced or used. Safe limits are enforced to protect the employees. Such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.

How exposure to sodium and potassium cyanide can affect your health

Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects by which you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

When salts of cyanide are ingested, they release cyanide in the body. Salts of cyanide can be absorbed through the skin.

Exposure to cyanide (by air or ingestion) can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, nervousness, confusion, changes in heart rate and drowsiness. In worse cases there may be a loss of consciousness, fitting, vomiting and low blood pressure. In the most serious cases there will be coma, heart and breathing problems and death.

Symptoms may be delayed for 2 to 4 hours if ingested on a full stomach.

The effects described above may follow also follow skin contact, with a delay of a few hours, if a large amount of skin is affected. Sodium or potassium cyanide in contact with the eyes can cause watering, pain, redness, swelling, burns, sensitivity to light and potentially damage them.

Sodium and potassium cyanide and cancer

Exposure to sodium or potassium cyanide has not been linked to the development of cancer.

Vulnerable people

There is limited data available on the direct effects of exposure sodium or potassium cyanide on pregnancy and the unborn child. Therefore, it is not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur if the exposure to sodium or potassium cyanide causes the mother to become unwell.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

There are limited data available on the direct effects of exposure sodium or potassium cyanide on pregnancy and the unborn child. Therefore, it is not possible to draw any definitive conclusions. Effects on the unborn child are more likely to occur if the exposure to sodium or potassium cyanide causes the mother to become unwell.

Children

There is little information on the effects of sodium or potassium cyanide on children. It is likely that children exposed to sodium or potassium cyanide would experience similar symptoms to those seen in exposed adults.

What to do if you are exposed to sodium and potassium cyanide

It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of sodium or potassium cyanide high enough to cause adverse health effects. However, if you have any health concerns regarding exposure to of sodium or potassium cyanide seek medical attention.

Additional sources of information

UKTIS: Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy

NHS: Poisoning

NHS: Burns and scalds

The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.