IRIS Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (Final Report)
EPA has finalized the Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts: in support of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Now final, this assessment may be used by EPA’s program and regional offices to inform decisions to protect human health.
Cyanide compounds are used in a number of industrial processes including mining, electroplating, metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, and photography because these compounds can form stable complexes with a range of metals. Hydrogen cyanide is also a component of tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and is produced by the burning of some plastics. Cyanide salts, such as potassium and sodium cyanide, are also used as rodenticides.
Cyanide compounds are used in a number of industrial processes including mining, electroplating, metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, and photography because these compounds can form stable complexes with a range of metals. Hydrogen cyanide is also a component of tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and is produced by the burning of some plastics. Cyanide salts, such as potassium and sodium cyanide, are also used as rodenticides.
Impact/Purpose
Cyanide compounds are used in a number of industrial processes including mining, electroplating, metallurgy, chemical manufacturing, and photography because these compounds can form stable complexes with a range of metals.
Citation
U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (Final Report). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/635/R-08/016F, 2010.
History/Chronology
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Jan 1987 | EPA posted an assessment for cyanide salts (RfD only). |
| Sep 1994 | EPA posted an assessment for hydrogen cyanide (RfC only). |
| Sep 2009 | EPA released the external draft report for public review and comment. |
| Oct 2009 | EPA announced a public listening session to be held on October 27, 2009. [Federal Register Notice Sep 23, 2009] |
| Nov 2009 | EPA announced an external peer review workshop to be held on December 14, 2009. [Federal Register Notice Nov 10, 2009] |
| Sep 2010 | EPA released the final tox report and summary document and posted these to the IRIS web site. |
| Jun 2004 | The draft IRIS reassessment of hydrogen cyanide was started. |
| Jan 2010 | EPA released the comments from the public comment period and external review workshop. |
| Aug 2010 | EPA hosted an interagency science discussion on the review of the draft document. |
| Sep 2010 | EPA released the final toxicological report and IRIS Summary for Hydrogen Cyanide and the interagency review draft with comments. |
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
- IRIS Toxicological Review for Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (PDF) (153 pp, 926 KB, about PDF)
- IRIS Summary for Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (PDF) (26 pp, 211 KB, about PDF)