Sodium thiocyanate
Agent Name
Sodium thiocyanate
CAS Number
540-72-7
Formula
C-N-S.Na
Major Category
Metals
Synonyms
Haimased; Natrium rhodanatum; Natrium thiocyanat; Natriumrhodanid [German]; Scyan; Sodium isothiocyanate; Sodium rhodanate; Sodium rhodanide; Sodium sulfocyanate; Sodium sulfocyanide; Sodium thiocyanide; Thiocyanate sodium; Thiocyanic acid, sodium salt; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Metals, Inorganic Compounds
Description
Colorless or white deliquescent solid; [Merck Index] Colorless odorless solid; [Aldrich MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used to make other thiocyanates; [Merck Index] Used as preservative for foods; [WHO JECFA]
Comments
May cause convulsions; Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause CNS effects and hypothyroidism; [ICSC] Not irritating to skin or eye of rabbits; Causes sensitization in human and guinea pig studies; [IUCLID] Search for (540-72-7[EC/RN Number]) AND (allergic OR dermatitis OR sensitizer OR sensitization): no results; [PubMed] Dust is irritating to eyes, nose, and throat; Inhalation may cause systemic poisoning; Prolonged skin exposure may cause rash, dizziness, cramps, and slight to severe nervous system disturbances; [CHRIS] Oral LD50’s (rat) range from 232 to 1,180 mg/kg; Causes convulsions in lethal-dose studies of rats, mice, and guinea pigs; [RTECS] May cause irritation; Targets CNS, cardiovascular system, and thyroid; Toxic by inhalation; Harmful by ingestion and skin absorption; [Aldrich MSDS] Cyanide is detoxified in the body when it is combined with sulfur to form thiocyanate. [Ford, p. 705] Thiocyanate can competitively inhibit the entry of iodide into the thyroid gland and cause hypothyroidism and goiters. [Goldfrank, p. 1680] See "CYANIDES."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
3.73E-08 mm Hg
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.