The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
SODIUM CYANIDE :
Emergency Response
CHEMICAL DANGERS:
Sodium cyanide is water-reactive.
Sodium cyanide decomposes on contact with acids, acid salts, water, moisture, and carbon dioxide, producing highly toxic, flammable hydrogen cyanide gas.
Sodium cyanide solution in water is a strong base; it reacts violently with acid and is corrosive.
Sodium cyanide is incompatible with strong oxidants.
Carbon dioxide from the air is sufficiently acidic to liberate toxic hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with sodium cyanide.
EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Sodium cyanide reacts violently with strong oxidants such as nitrates, chlorates, nitric acid, and peroxides, causing an explosion hazard.
Upper and lower explosive (flammable) limits in air are not available for sodium cyanide.
Containers may explode when heated or if they are contaminated with water.
