Sodium cyanate

Synonyms

Cyansan; San-cyan; Sodium isocyanate; Weecon; Zassol; Cyanic acid, sodium salt; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Inorganic Compounds

Description

Colorless solid; [Merck Index] Beige powder; [Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used in experimental treatment of sickle cell anemia; [Merck Index] Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis; [EPA] Used in heat treatment of steel; [Hawley]

Comments

Effects on liver (decreased enzyme activity without histopathological changes), blood (increased hematocrit and reticulocytes), male reproductive organs (degeneration of germinal epithelium in the testes), and possible signs of neurotoxicity (reduced activity, impaired coordination, and clonic seizures) observed in 28-day gavage study of rats; Changes in blood interpreted as compensation to increase tissue oxygenation; Following recovery period of six weeks, hematological and neurological effects resolved; High-dose group lowered from 316 to 237 mg/kg/day due to mortality of three animals; [EPA] Causes convulsions in intramuscular LD50 study of rats; Causes degenerative changes to brain and flaccid paralysis without anesthesia in 60-day intramuscular intermittent study of monkeys (2,400 mg/kg); Causes meningeal changes in 60-day subcutaneous intermittent study of monkeys (1,500 mg/kg); Causes flaccid paralysis, somnolence, and other changes to the liver in 3-day oral intermittent study of guinea pigs; (300 mg/kg); Causes abnormal liver function tests in 26-week study of rats at >182 mg/kg; [RTECS] May cause irritation; Harmful by ingestion; [Aldrich MSDS] See "Potassium cyanate" and "Silver cyanate."

Biomedical References

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Heat Treating