Sodium cyanide

Acute Toxicity: oral

Administrative data

Endpoint:

acute toxicity: oral

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: see 'Remark'

Remarks:

While this is not a guideline study, these data are generated by one of the premier experts in the toxicology of cyanides, Dr. Brian Ballantyne, author of "Clinical and Experimental Toxicology of Cyanides", 1987. This data was reviewed by and found to be valid by the ECETOC Task Force on Cyanides, who authored the ECETOC JACC No. 53 report.

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

Toxicology of Cyanides

Author:

Ballantyne B

Year:

1987

Bibliographic source:

In: Clinical and Experimental Toxicology of Cyanides, (Ballantyne B and Marrs TC, Eds), IOP Publishing, Wright, Bristol, UK, pp. 41-126.

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Groups of animals were exposed to various forms of cyanide at various doses, to generate baseline data on lethal doses.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test type:

other: method is valid as judged by ECETOC Task Force

Limit test:

yes

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Sodium cyanide

EC Number:

205-599-4

EC Name:

Sodium cyanide

Cas Number:

143-33-9

Molecular formula:

CNNa

IUPAC Name:

sodium cyanide

Details on test material:

NaCN

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

not specified

Sex:

female

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

not specified

Details on oral exposure:

As this is a review article (book chapter), there are few details provided on study design.

Control animals:

no

Details on study design:

no data

Statistics:

95% Confidence Limits were calculated for the LD50.

Results and discussion

Effect levels

Sex:

female

Dose descriptor:

LD50

Effect level:

5.09 mg/kg bw

Based on:

test mat.

95% CL:

> 4.26 - < 5.83

Remarks on result:

other: This is one of 8 LD50 studies in rats which were dosed with either HCN, NaCN, KCN or Acetone Cyanohydrin (ACH). The results of all studies indicated a LD50 of < 10.0 mg/kg bw.

Mortality:

50% of treated animals

Clinical signs:

other: The major target site for cyanide, where there is induction of a potentially lethal cytotoxic hypoxia, is the brain. A dose-dependent suppression of electroencephalographic activity has been observed. While large doses of cyanide produce permanent EEG s

Any other information on results incl. tables

The LD50 of KCN in female rats is 5.09 mg/kg bw. This corresponds to 0.104 mmol/kg bw.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Interpretation of results:

Toxicity Category I

Remarks:

Migrated information 5 < LD50 < 50 Criteria used for interpretation of results: EU

Conclusions:

The literature on acute oral toxicity in animals was reviewed by the ECETOC Task Force.  The lowest oral LD50 for rats is 5.09 (mg/kgbw), which is near the threshold value for a Category 1 acute toxicant . Major target organs include brain and heart. Classification is according to Regulation EC No. 1272/2008, Table 3.1, Salts of hydrogen cyanide.