Hydrogencyanide, sodiumcyanate, and potassiumcyanate

At the request of the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends health-based occupational exposure limits for the concentration of toxic substances in the air at workplaces. These recommendations are made by the Council’s Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Standards (DECOS). It constitutes a first step in a three-step procedure that leads to legally-binding limit values.

In the present report the committee discusses the consequences of occupational exposure to hydrogen cyanide (HCN), sodium cyanide (NaCN), and potassium cyanide (KCN). The committee’s conclusions are based on scientific publications prior to July 2002.