More commonly encountered in the laboratory is the related compound cyanogen bromide, a room-temperature solid that is used in biochemical analysis and preparation.

Symptoms of exposure may include drowsiness, rhinorrhea (runny nose), sore throat, coughing, confusion, nausea, vomiting, edema, loss of consciousness, convulsions, paralysis, and death.

[7] Cyanogen chloride is listed in schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention: all production must be reported to the OPCW.

[9] As it was capable of penetrating the protective filter barriers in some gas masks,[10] it was seen as an effective agent against Japanese forces (particularly those hiding in caves or bunkers) because their standard issue gas masks lacked the barriers that would provide protection against cyanogen chloride.

[9][11][12] The US added the weapon to its arsenal, and considered using it, along with hydrogen cyanide, as part of Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan, but President Harry Truman decided against it, instead using the atomic bombs developed by the secret Manhattan Project.