STRYCHNINE

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)

none

No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.

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)

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)

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, 2022).

• Amides and Imides
• Amines, Phosphines, and Pyridines
• Ethers

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents

Excerpt from 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 car or tank truck 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, 2020)

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)

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)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Strychnine:

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, 2023)

No information available.

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)

• 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