United States Office of Prevention, Pesticides EPA-738-F-94-016
Environmental Protection And Toxic Substances September 1994
Agency (H-7508W)
R.E.D. FACTS
Sodium Cyanide
PGStJCJdG All pesticides sold or distributed in the United States must be
RGTGClistration registered by EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used
without posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of
advances in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which
were first registered years ago be reregistered to ensure that they meet
today's more stringent standards.
In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains and reviews a
complete set of studies from pesticide producers, describing the human
health and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes
any regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each
pesticide's risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without
posing unreasonable risks to human health or the environment.
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this and
explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document. This
fact sheet summarizes the information in the RED for Case 3086, sodium
cyanide.
USG ProfilG Sodium cyanide is a single dose poison used in the M-44 ejector
device on pastures, range and forest land to control coyote, red fox, gray
fox and wild dog populations that prey upon (or are likely to prey upon)
livestock, poultry or endangered species, or that are vectors of
communicable diseases.
The sodium cyanide capsule is loaded into a capsule holder which is
screwed onto the ejector mechanism of an M-44 device. The capsule holder
is then treated with a scent formulated to attract canids. When an animal
tugs at the capsule holder, a spring-driver plunger ejects the sodium cyanide
capsule into its mouth. Sodium cyanide causes death by inhibiting enzyme
reactions in mammals that prevent oxygen flow to the blood.
A Restricted Use Pesticide, sodium cyanide may be applied only by
trained, certified applicators under the direct supervision of a government
agency, in accordance with 26 stringent use restrictions detailed in product
labeling.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a Biological Opinion in
March 1993 that proposed additional restrictions on the use of sodium
cyanide to protect endangered species.
-------
Regulatory
History
Human Health
Assessment
Sodium cyanide was initially registered as a pesticide in 1947 to
control ants, certain bacteria, insects and rodents in residential and
commercial areas. However, all non-predicidal uses were canceled in 1987
in response to a generic data call-in issued by EPA.
The only currently registered uses of sodium cyanide are for toxicant-
filled capsules to be placed in M-44 spring-loaded ejector devices used to
kill wild canids. Use is limited to situations where canids prey upon (or are
likely to prey upon) livestock, poultry or Federally-designated threatened or
endangered species, or where particular canids are carriers of communicable
diseases. All currently registered products are Restricted Use Pesticides with
specific applicator training and certification requirements, subject to 26 use
restrictions.
Prior to 1972, sodium cyanide was used to control predators in a
gunpowder-fired unit called the "Humane Coyote Getter." However, this
use and all other predator control uses of sodium cyanide were canceled in
1972 due to the incidence of human injuries and the occasional killing of
domestic dogs.
The use of sodium cyanide capsules in the M-44 was reinstated in
1975 when it was determined that the M-44 was safer and more selective
than the "Humane Coyote Getter." The reinstated uses of sodium cyanide
are subject to 26 use restrictions to minimize potential adverse impacts on
man and the environment. Among other things, these restrictions require
that applicators be appropriately trained and certified for using sodium
cyanide capsules in M-44 devices, that applicators carry antidote kits when
placing or inspecting M-44 devices, and that M-44 devices not be placed in
areas likely to cause adverse impacts on humans and endangered species or
other nontarget species.
Toxicity
Sodium cyanide is highly toxic to warm-blooded animals. It has been
placed in Toxicity Category I, indicating the greatest degree of acute
toxicity, for oral, dermal and inhalation effects. It is highly corrosive to the
skin and eyes, and cyanide liquid and possibly vapor, can be absorbed
through intact skin. Vapor can be absorbed extremely rapidly through the
respiratory tract.
Dietary, Occupational and Residential Exposure
Based on the pesticide's use patterns, the general population will not
be exposed to sodium cyanide. There are no applicator/mixer/loader or
post-application exposure concerns other than following the label restriction
for use by certified personnel only.
-------
Human Risk Assessment
Because of the specific nature of sodium cyanide's registered use
pattern, the Agency's primary concern is the potential risk of acute toxicity
to non-target animals. Sodium cyanide is not registered for use in
residential environments, so risks are not posed to the general population.
Risk of acute toxicity to applicators is mitigated by the pesticide's 26 use
restrictions and its classification as a Restricted Use Pesticide.
Environmental
AsSGSSmGnt
Additional Data
Red UJ red
Environmental Fate
The Agency does not anticipate significant environmental exposure to
sodium cyanide when it is used as an encapsulated material together with the
M-44 ejector device.
Should an accidental spill of sodium cyanide capsules occur in the
field, several processes would contribute to their dissipation. Hydrogen
cyanide, which is formed by reaction with moisture, will diffuse to the
atmosphere and be diluted into the air. Reactions with soil compounds will
convert cyanide into carbon dioxide and ammonia or other nitrogen
containing compounds. Thus, the environmental impact of the pesticidal use
of sodium cyanide is expected to be minimal because of its mode of
application as well as its degradation pattern in the environment.
Ecological Effects Risk Assessment
Sodium cyanide works by converting to hydrogen cyanide gas when it
comes in contact with moisture, which inhibits an enzyme reaction that is
essential to mammalian cellular respiration. This results in central nervous
system depression, cardiac arrest and gross respiratory failure.
Any animal that is able to activate the trigger of the cyanide ejector
device will get a dose of sodium cyanide in the mouth and will die.
Therefore, it is considered a high acute risk pesticide for terrestrial
vertebrates, including nontarget and endangered birds.
While the label restrictions were designed to minimize the risk to
nontarget species, the M-44 will kill nontarget animals, including some
endangered species. Additional restrictions on the use of sodium cyanide
have been outlined for species at risk in a March 1993 U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Biological Opinion and are being imposed through this
Reregistration Eligibility Decision.
Based on the available information, secondary poisoning of animals
that ingest the body of the target animal is not expected from approved use
of sodium cyanide.
EPA is requiring product-specific data including product chemistry
an^ efficacy data, revised Confidential Statements of Formula (CSF) and
revised product labeling for reregistration of products containing sodium
cyanide.
-------
Product Labeling
Changes Required
All sodium cyanide end-use products must comply with EPA's current
pesticide product labeling requirements. The following statements also must
appear on the labels of all end-use products:
"Restricted Use Pesticide" - the 26 use restrictions must be maintained
on the labels.
"This pesticide is TOXIC TO WILDLIFE. Keep out of lakes, ponds
or streams. Do not contaminate water by cleaning of equipment or
disposal of wastes."
Additional endangered species labeling consistent with the
recommendations of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife' Biological Opinion of
March 1993.
Regulatory
Conclusion
For More
Information
The use of registered products containing sodium cyanide will not
pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans or the environment,
provided that these products are used in accordance with the restrictions on
product labeling. Therefore, all uses of these products are eligible for
reregistration. Sodium cyanide products will be reregistered once the
required product-specific data, Confidential Statements of Formula and
revised labeling are received and accepted by EPA.
EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Decision (RED) document for sodium cyanide during a 60-day time period,
as announced in a Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register.
To obtain a copy of the RED document or to submit written comments,
please contact the Pesticide Docket, Public Response and Program
Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide
Programs (OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-305-
5805.
Following the comment period, the sodium cyanide RED document
will be available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS),
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
For more information about EPA's pesticide reregistration program,
the sodium cyanide RED, or reregistration of individual products containing
sodium cyanide, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration
Division (7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-
308-8000.
For information about the health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms, please contact
the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN). Call toll-
free 1-800-858-7378, between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Central Time, Monday
through Friday.
------- |