Methylene bis(thiocyanate)

Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Rest.

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT wash away into sewer. Sweep spilled substance into covered sealable containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite, which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Oxygen therapy can also be administered. (L97)

Exposure to high levels of cyanide for a short time harms the brain and heart and can even cause coma, seizures, apnea, cardiac arrest and death. Chronic inhalation of cyanide causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, vomiting, blood changes, headaches, and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Skin contact with cyanide salts can irritate and produce sores. (L96, L97)

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Methylene thiocyanate is expected to hydrolyze in moist soils(1,SRC). Volatilization from soil surfaces and adsorption to soil are not expected to be important environmental fate processes because of hydrolysis(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Methylene thiocyanate is expected to hydrolyze in water within a few hours at neutral pH(1). Volatilization from water surfaces, adsorption to suspended solids and sediments, biodegradation, and bioconcentration are not expected to be important in aquatic systems because of hydrolysis(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), methylene thiocyanate, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 1.97X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2,SRC), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase methylene thiocyanate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be about 7 hours(3,SRC).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.

Oral (L96) ; inhalation (L96) ; dermal (L96)

Organic nitriles decompose into cyanide ions both in vivo and in vitro. Consequently the primary mechanism of toxicity for organic nitriles is their production of toxic cyanide ions or hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide is an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain (found in the membrane of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells). It complexes with the ferric iron atom in this enzyme. The binding of cyanide to this cytochrome prevents transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted and the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Cyanide is also known produce some of its toxic effects by binding to catalase, glutathione peroxidase, methemoglobin, hydroxocobalamin, phosphatase, tyrosinase, ascorbic acid oxidase, xanthine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Cyanide binds to the ferric ion of methemoglobin to form inactive cyanmethemoglobin. (L97)

Redness. Pain.

Redness. Pain.

Cyanide poisoning is identified by rapid, deep breathing and shortness of breath, general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, convulsions/seizures and eventually loss of consciousness. (L96, L97)

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=6317-18-6]

Methylene Thiocyanate (CAS # 6317-18-6) was evaluated for acute oral toxicity in Sprague-Dawley albino rats (alternately 2 and 3/sex/group) administered single doses of 50.1, 63.1, 79.4, 100.0, 126.0, and 158.0 mg/kg as a 20.0% suspension in corn oil by oral gavage. Mortality associated with treatment was consistent with an Oral LD50 (with 95% confidence limits) of 87.0 (75.0-100.0) mg/kg as follows: 50.1 mg/kg (1/2M, 0/3F), 63.1 mg/kg (1/3M, 1/2F), 79.4 mg/kg (1/2M, 1/3F), 100.0 mg/kg (2/3M, 1/2F), 126.0 mg/kg (2/2M, 2/3F), and 158.0 mg/kg (3/3M, 2/2F). Deaths occurred from 1-24 hours after dosing. Reduced appetite and activity (1-2 days in survivors), increasing weakness and prostration comprised the observed pharmacotoxicity throughout 14-day post-treatment observation. At 14th day terminal sacrifice, the study survivors were necropsied. Viscera appeared normal in all case and gross organ changes relative to treatment were unremarkable. Conversely, the study lethalities were found with hemorrhagic foci of the lungs, slight discoloration of the liver, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The study results were briefly summarized. No further information was reported.

Methylene Thiocyanate (CAS # 6317-18-6) was evaluated for acute dermal toxicity in New Zealand albino rabbits. Solitary male and female rabbits were alternately administered single dermal applications of 158, 251, 398, 631, and 1,000 mg/kg as a 20.0% suspension in corn oil for 24 hours. Male rabbits of a 398 and 1,000 mg/kg dose respectively and the female of a 631 mg/kg dose comprised the treatment-related mortality, all died within 2 days of treatment. A Dermal LD50 was approximately 251 - 398 mg/kg. Signs of toxicity included reduced appetite and activity (2-3 days in survivors), progressive weakness, prostration and death. Necropsy of the study lethalities identified gross abnormalities of visceral organs including lung hyperemia, discoloration of liver and kidney, enlarged gall bladder, slightly darkened spleen, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Upon terminal 14th day necropsy, the study survivors of post-treatment observation were found with normal-appearing viscera. The study results were briefly summarized. No further information was reported.

Methylene Thiocyanate (CAS # 6317-18-6) was evaluated for primary dermal irritation in 6 New Zealand albino rabbits (sex unspecified), each administered 0.5 g dermal applications as a finely ground sample moistened with water (substance purity and pH unspecified) upon both intact and abraded skin for 24 hours. Treated animals were observed for recovery from any irritative effects during the 10 days after the applications. At 24 hours, minimal erythema and edema noted on both intact and abraded sites comprised a study maximum 24, 72 hour average irritation score of 0.6 and a substance classification of non-irritating (the irritation score range was unspecified). All irritative signs were cleared in all animals by 72nd hour examination, except a slight defatting effect with skin flaking off within 7-10 days after treatment. No injury in depth was observed in any rabbit. The study results were briefly summarized. No further information was reported.

a total of 34 workers in a paper mill exposed to small amounts of slimicide used in paper and board manufacturing were tested for sensitization potential to methylene-bis-thiocyanate, a component of cytox-3522. The chemicals used in the factory were fennosan-M9 and germirex-849 containing 9 and 10% of methylene-bis-thiocyanate. There were no dermatological symptoms in any of the workers tested. Workers with positive reactions to high concn of cytox-3522 were tested with 0.1 and 0.03% cytox-3522. The patch tests were applied for 24 hr and read on the third and fifth days. No subject had definite positive reactions to cytox-3522. Three had irritant reactions. /The results suggest/ ... that chemicals containing methylene-bis-thiocyanate are not strong human contact sensitizers. ...