It is used as a polymerization initiator for monomers such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene, and polyacrylonitrile; as an initiator for the polymerization of monomers such as vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, and acrylonitrile; and as a foaming agent for rubber and plastics, with a dosage of 10% to 20%. This product can also be used as a vulcanizing agent, pesticide, and intermediate in organic synthesis. It is highly toxic, with an oral LD50 in mice of 17.2 to 25 mg/kg. The organic cyanide released by thermal decomposition is highly toxic to humans. It is an intermediate in organic synthesis and used as an initiator for high molecular weight polymers.