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STRYCHNINE

6.1 - Poison
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 57-24-9
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Poison
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Strychnineexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Colorless, transparent crystals or white crystalline powder. Has no odor. Used for destroying rodents and predatory animals and for trapping fur-bearing animals. (EPA, 1998)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
When heated, emits highly toxic fumes. Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. Protect from light. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Super toxic; probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg, a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. It causes violent generalized convulsions. Death results from respiratory arrest as the respiratory muscles are in sustained spasm. The lowest lethal oral dose reported for humans is 30 mg/kg. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
STRYCHNINE is an alkaloid derivative. It is a base and forms water soluble salts with acids.

Strychnine salts are incompatible with alkalis, alkali carbonates and bicarbonates, benzoates, dichromates, bromides, iodides, tannic and picric acids, salicylates, borax, gold chloride and other alkaloid precipitants, piperazine, potassium-mercuric iodide. Protect from light. [EPA, 1998].

Strychnine is incompatible with the following: Strong oxidizers (NIOSH, 2024).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire; material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Use alcohol foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Do not touch spilled material; stop leak if you can do so without risk.

Small spills: absorb with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

Small dry spills: with clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover; move containers from spill area.

Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal.

Avoid breathing dusts, and fumes from burning materials. Keep upwind. Avoid bodily contact with the material. Do not handle broken packages without protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Strychnineexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Strychnine may induce convulsions within 15 to 60 minutes following exposure. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Strychnine Exposure: Respiratory paralysis and arrest are likely to occur following severe exposure to strychnine. Signs and symptoms of acute exposure generally involve excitation of all portions of the central nervous system. Convulsions, bilateral horizontal nystagmus (rapid, synchronous, horizontal oscillations of the eyeballs), agitation, restlessness, apprehension, and abrupt, jerking movements of the extremities may occur. Victims may also experience stiffness, painful muscle cramping (especially in the legs), and opisthotonos (spasm in which the spine and extremities are bent with convexity forward, the body resting on the head and heels). Vomiting and renal failure, as well as cyanosis (blue tint to skin and mucous membranes) and rhabdomyolysis (destruction of skeletal muscle), may be found.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to strychnine may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to strychnine.Warning: Any unnecessary sensory input may induce seizures. Isolate the victims from any avoidable distractions.
2. RUSH to a health care facility!
3. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to strychnine.Warning: Any unnecessary sensory input may induce seizures. Isolate the victims from any avoidable distractions.
2. RUSH to a health care facility!
3. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
4. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
5. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
6. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
7. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.Warning: Any unnecessary sensory input may induce seizures. Isolate the victims from any avoidable distractions.
2. RUSH to a health care facility!
3. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize.
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
5. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
6. Promote excretion by administereing a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults. (EPA, 1998)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C21H22N2O2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): Material may burn but does not ignite readily. (EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): Material may burn but does not ignite readily. (EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 514 to 554°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: Low (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.36 at 68°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 518°F at 5 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 334.4 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: 0.02 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 3 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Strychnine (57-24-9) 0.45 mg/m3 0.5 mg/m3 3 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Strychnine 57-24-9 100/10000 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313c P108
Strychnine and salts N746 313
Strychnine, and salts 57-24-9 10 pounds 313c P108

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • CERTOX
  • DOLCO MOUSE CEREAL
  • KWIK-KIL
  • 4,6-METHANO-6H,14H-INDOLO[3,2,1-IJ]OXEPINO[2,3,4-DE]PYRROLO[2,3-H]QUINOLINE, STRYCHNIDIN-10-ONE DERIV.
  • MOLE DEATH
  • MOUSE-NOTS
  • MOUSE-RID
  • MOUSE-TOX
  • NUX VOMICA
  • NUX-VOMICA
  • PIED PIPER MOUSE SEED
  • RO-DEX
  • SANASEED
  • STRYCHNIDIN-10-ONE
  • STRYCHNIN
  • STRYCHNINE
  • (-)-STRYCHNINE
  • STRYCHNINE, AND SALTS
  • STRYCHNINE, [SOLID]
  • STRYCHNOS
  • STRYNCHNOS

Version 3.1.0