Hazard Summary-Created in April 1992; Revised in January 2000
Cyanide is used in a number of industries and is found at low
levels in air from car exhaust. Cyanide is extremely toxic to
humans. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure of humans to
cyanide results primarily in effects on the central nervous
system (CNS). Other effects in humans include cardiovascular and
respiratory effects, an enlarged thyroid gland, and irritation
to the eyes and skin. No data are available on the carcinogenic
effects of cyanide in humans via inhalation. Animal studies have
suggested that oral exposure to cassava (a cyanide-containing
vegetable) may be associated with malformations in the fetus and
low fetal body weights. EPA has classified cyanide as a Group D,
not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. Please Note: The
main sources of information for this fact sheet are EPA's
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), which contains
information on oral chronic toxicity and the Reference Dose
(RfD) and inhalation chronic