# Cyanogen chloride ### Guideline ***Based on health considerations, the concentration of total cyanogenic compounds in drinking water should not exceed 0.08 mg/L.*** ### General description Cyanogen chloride is a by-product of chloramination. It can be formed as a by-product of the reaction between organic precursors with hypochlorous acid in the presence of the ammonium ion. Concentrations reported overseas in chloraminated supplies are typically 0.004 mg/L. Cyanogen chloride may be used commercially in chemical synthesis, and for fumigation. ### Typical values in Australian drinking water No data are available on concentrations of cyanogen chloride in Australian drinking waters. Limiting formation in drinking water The presence of cyanogen chloride in drinking water can be minimised by removing naturally occurring organic matter from the source water, by reducing the amount of chloramine added, or by the use of alternative disinfectants. ### Measurement A suitable method for analysis involves extraction from water using the purge and trap technique followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (USEPA Draft Method 524.2 1986). The limit of determination is 0.0003 mg/L. ### Health considerations Cyanogen chloride is highly irritant and very poisonous, as it is rapidly metabolised to cyanide in the body and has similar toxicity. Effects of ingested cyanogen chloride in humans have not been reported. A concentration of 1 ppm in air causes irritation on inhalation. Only acute toxicity data are available on the health effects of cyanogen chloride in animals. No data are available on the carcinogenicity or mutagenicity of cyanogen chloride. The NHMRC Standing Committee on Toxicity reviewed available toxicity data for cyanogen chloride in 1991. It was considered that data were insufficient to set a no-effect level. ### Derivation of guideline As cyanogen chloride is rapidly converted to cyanide by the body, the guideline value is based on the cyanide value of 0.08 mg/L (see also Fact Sheet on Cyanide). ### Reference USEPA Draft Method 524.2 (1986). Volatile organic compounds in water by purge and trap capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory (EMSL), Cincinnati, Ohio. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-5/physical-chemical-characteristics/cyanogen-chloride.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.