Chemicals Listed Effective July 5, 2013 as Known to the State of California to Cause Reproductive Toxicity: Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Cyanide Salts (CN Salts)

Effective July 5, 2013, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is adding hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and cyanide salts (CN salts) to the list of chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of Proposition 65.¹

The listing of hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts is based on formal identification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), an authoritative body,² that the chemical causes reproductive toxicity (male reproductive endpoint).  The criteria used by OEHHA for the listing of chemicals under the “authoritative bodies” mechanism can be found in Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306. 

The documentation supporting OEHHA’s determination that the criteria for administrative listing have been satisfied for hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts is included in the Notice of Intent to List published in the March 22, 2013 issue of the California Regulatory Notice Register (Register 2013, No. 12-Z).  OEHHA’s responses to public comments received on the Notice of Intent to List are available.

A complete, updated chemical list will be published in an upcoming issue of the California Regulatory Notice Register and is available on the OEHHA website.

In summary, hydrogen cyanide and cyanide salts are being listed under Proposition 65 as known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity, as follows:

Related Notices

• Notice of Intent to List: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts

  Mar 22, 2013
• Adoption of Regulation Title 27, California Code of Regulations Amendment to Section 25805(b) Maximum Allowable Dose Levels Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts

  Aug 15, 2013

Footnotes and References

¹The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq.

² See Health and Safety Code, section 25249.8(b) and Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs., section 25306.

³ Listing mechanism:  AB – “authoritative bodies” mechanism (Title 27, Cal. Code of Regs. Section 25306).