- title: Cyanide Salts policy_id: version: 1.0 status: Active effective_date: 2026-05-01 last_reviewed: 2026-05-01 next_review: 2028-05-01 owner: category: Chemical
tags: - safety - chemical - contamination
keywords: - Cyanide Salts - Barium cyanide - Calcium cyanide - Copper cyanide - Lead cyanide - Mercuric potassium cyanide - Mercury cyanide - Mercury oxycyanide - Nickel cyanide - Potassium cuprocyanide - Potassium copper cyanide - Silver cyanide - Zinc cyanide - Sodium cuprocyanide - Sodium copper cyanide - Potassium cyanide
Cyanide Salts
Quick Reference
What are Cyanide Salts?
Cyanide Salts are highly toxic. Sodium and potassium cyanide seem to be the most commonly used. They are used primarily in mining to separate precious metals from ore and for metal electro-plating. Also used to synthesize some plastics and synthetic fibres, and in niche laboratory applications. These can be transported as a liquid or a solid. They’re carried in a double container that is resistant to breakage. Smaller quantities typically transported in 200 L steel drums. Larger quantities of solids are transported in 1-, 10-, and 20-tonne containers, and liquids are transported in a double-walled tank by rail or truck.
Crew Safety
- Staging/Perimeter
- 50 m for spills not involving a fire.
- 800 m for rail car, rail tank, or highway truck/tank involved in a fire.
- Additional Resources
- A HAZMAT or on-site emergency response team.
- PPE requirements
- SCBA plus chemical protective clothing (no fire) or structural fire gear (fire).
- After decontamination, gown, gloves and eye shield should be worn.
- Safely initiating patient contact
- Patients to be brought to paramedics in a safe location. Decon prior to paramedic contact.
Effect on the Patient
Cyanogenic compounds bind to cytochrome-c-oxidase and interrupt normal aerobic respiration, causing cellular hypoxia. Rapid alteration in level of consciousness may occur, including loss of consciousness and seizures. Tachycardia and other dysrhythmias may occur. Normal SpO2. Irritation of upper airway may be present.
Patient Decontamination
Remove contaminated clothing, flush exposed skin with water/soap. If eyes exposed or irritated flush for 15 minutes. Contaminated clothing not to be transported. Paramedics should not have direct contact with the patient prior to decontamination but may coach decontamination from a safe location.
Patient Treatment
* High flow O2, support ABCs and treat as per BCEHS CPGs.
* Antidote is hydroxocobalamin, prioritize transport to hospital for treatment.
Safe Transfer of Care
Patient should be decontaminated and clothing removed prior to transferring care/entering hospital.
Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination
Provided patient was decontaminated prior to transport no special precautions are required. If decontamination was not adequate prior to transport, open all door and ventilate the ambulance.
Quick Access Resources
DPIC Monograph
Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet
No SDS available.
Emergency Response Guidebook
Revision History
| Version | Date | Changes | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2026-05-01 | Initial version | Clinical Hub |