Cyanogen chloride
Agent Name
Cyanogen chloride
CAS Number
506-77-4
Formula
C-Cl-N
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Chlorcyan; Chlorine cyanide; Chlorine cyanide (ClCN); Chlorocyan; Chlorocyanide; Chlorocyanogen; Chlorure de cyanogene [French]; Cyanogen chloride; [ChemIDplus] UN1589
Category
Cyanides
Description
Colorless gas or liquid (below 55 degrees F) with an irritating odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied gas. A solid below 20 degrees F. Forms cyanide in the body; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used in organic synthesis, a warning gas in fumigants, and as a military poison gas; May be generated in a reaction of hypochlorite and cyanide solutions in waste water treatment; [ACGIH] Used in metal cleaning and ore refining; [ATSDR ToxProfiles]
Comments
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] In animal inhalation studies, cyanogen chloride causes severe irritation of the respiratory tract and pulmonary edema. Workers treating cyanide plating solutions with hypochlorite had to leave the work area because of eye and nose irritation when the air concentration was measured at 0.7 ppm (1.78 mg/m3). Has a pungent odor detectable at 1 ppm; Causes irritation at >1 ppm and death within 30 minutes at 48 ppm; [ACGIH] Effects are similar to those of hydrogen cyanide; A pulmonary irritant and lacrimator; [HSDB]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TIH
Yes
Ceiling (ACGIH)
0.75 mg/m3
IDLH (NIOSH)
25 mg/m3, as CN
Odor Threshold Low
1 ppm
Explanatory Notes
The Guide from the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "cyanogen chloride, inhibited." Detection odor threshold ; [CHEMINFO]
Reference Link #2
ERPG-1
Not appropriate
ERPG-2
0.4 ppm
ERPG-3
4 ppm
Adverse Effects
Lachrymator
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: