1.Identification
1.1 GHS Product identifier
| Product name | potassium cyanide |
|---|
1.2 Other means of identification
| Product number | - |
|---|---|
| Other names | hydrocyanic acid,potassium salt |
1.3 Recommended use of the chemical and restrictions on use
| Identified uses | For industry use only. Systemic Agent |
|---|---|
| Uses advised against | no data available |
1.4 Supplier's details
1.5 Emergency phone number
| Emergency phone number | - |
|---|---|
| Service hours | Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +8 hours). |
2.Hazard identification
2.1 Classification of the substance or mixture
Corrosive to metals, Category 1
Acute toxicity - Oral, Category 1
Acute toxicity - Dermal, Category 1
Acute toxicity - Inhalation, Category 1
Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure, Category 1
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, short-term (Acute) - Category Acute 1
2.2 GHS label elements, including precautionary statements
| Pictogram(s) |     |
|---|---|
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statement(s) | H290 May be corrosive to metals H300 Fatal if swallowed H310 Fatal in contact with skin H330 Fatal if inhaled H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure H400 Very toxic to aquatic life H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
| Precautionary statement(s) | |
| Prevention | P234 Keep only in original packaging. P264 Wash ... thoroughly after handling. P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. P262 Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. P284 [In case of inadequate ventilation] wear respiratory protection. P273 Avoid release to the environment. |
| Response | P390 Absorb spillage to prevent material damage. P301+P310 IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… P321 Specific treatment (see ... on this label). P330 Rinse mouth. P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/... P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… P361+P364 Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see ... on this label). P314 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. P391 Collect spillage. |
| Storage | P406 Store in a corrosion resistant/...container with a resistant inner liner. P405 Store locked up. P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. |
| Disposal | P501 Dispose of contents/container to ... |
2.3 Other hazards which do not result in classification
none
3.Composition/information on ingredients
3.1 Substances
| Chemical name | Common names and synonyms | CAS number | EC number | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| potassium cyanide | potassium cyanide | 151-50-8 | none | 100% |
4.First-aid measures
4.1 Description of necessary first-aid measures
General advice
Consult a physician. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
If inhaled
Fresh air, rest. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administration of oxygen may be needed. Refer for medical attention.
In case of skin contact
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .
In case of eye contact
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
If swallowed
Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Wear protective gloves when inducing vomiting. NO mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administration of oxygen may be needed. Refer for medical attention .
4.2 Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
It is classified as super toxic. Probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg or less than a taste (7 drops) for a 150 lb. person. It is an eye and skin irritant. Poisonous in very small quantities; a taste is lethal. (EPA, 1998)
Excerpt from ERG Guide 157 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]: TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)
4.3 Indication of immediate medical attention and special treatment needed, if necessary
Due to the apparent low binding capacity of activated charcoal for potassium cyanide (KCN) in vitro, the use of oral activated charcoal therapy for oral exposure to cyanide compounds is controversial. In our study, rats were given a lethal oral dose of ground granular KCN (35 or 40 mg/kg) in a gelatin capsule followed immediately by either 4 g/kg of superactivated charcoal in a 20% suspension or a similar volume of deionized water. Signs of cyanide toxicosis occurred rapidly, with a mean time to signs of 3.3 and 2.7 min in control animals receiving 35 or 40 mg/kg KCN, respectively. All 26 of the control rats showed signs, and all but one in the 35 mg/kg group died within 19 min. Only 12 of 26 rats treated with superactivated charcoal showed signs of KCN toxicosis and eight of those animals died.
5.Fire-fighting measures
5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable extinguishing media
Do not use carbon dioxide extinguisher. Extinguish fire using agent suitable for surrounding fire. Water may be used on nearby fires not involving potassium cyanide. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Use alkali dry chemical.
5.2 Specific hazards arising from the chemical
Contact with acid releases highly flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. Moisture may cause this material to volatilize as hydrogen cyanide. When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of cyanide and nitrogen oxides. Reacts with acids to produce hydrogen cyanide gas. Reacts with strong oxidizers such as nitrates and chlorates, nitrogen trichloride; perchloryl fluoride; sodium nitrate; acids; alkaloids; chloral hydrate; iodine. Avoid contact with acids. (EPA, 1998)
Excerpt from ERG Guide 157 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. For UN1796, UN1826, UN2031 at high concentrations and for UN2032, these may act as oxidizers, also consult ERG Guide 140. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Substance may react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. (ERG, 2016)
5.3 Special protective actions for fire-fighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
6.Accidental release measures
6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. For personal protection see section 8.
6.2 Environmental precautions
Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Ventilation. Sweep spilled substance into covered dry, sealable, labelled containers. Cautiously neutralize remainder with sodium hypochlorite solution. Then wash away with plenty of water.
6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
Spills of cyanide salts should be immediately and carefully cleaned up by shoveling the material into a proper container. Care must be exercised to minimize any dispersal of cyanide dust into the air. /Cyanide salts/
7.Handling and storage
7.1 Precautions for safe handling
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. For precautions see section 2.2.
7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Separated from strong oxidants, acids, food and feedstuffs, carbon dioxide and products containing water. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.PROTECT FROM LIGHT.
8.Exposure controls/personal protection
8.1 Control parameters
Occupational Exposure limit values
Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Min Ceiling value: 5 mg/cu m (4.7 ppm).
Biological limit values
no data available
8.2 Appropriate engineering controls
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
8.3 Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE)
Eye/face protection
Safety glasses with side-shields conforming to EN166. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection
Wear impervious clothing. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace. Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands. The selected protective gloves have to satisfy the specifications of EU Directive 89/686/EEC and the standard EN 374 derived from it.
Respiratory protection
Wear dust mask when handling large quantities.
Thermal hazards
no data available
9.Physical and chemical properties
| Physical state | white granular powder or crystals |
|---|---|
| Colour | White, granular powder or fused pieces |
| Odour | Faint odor of bitter almonds |
| Melting point/ freezing point | 634?°C(lit.) |
| Boiling point or initial boiling point and boiling range | 1625 °C |
| Flammability | Not combustible but forms flammable gas on contact with water or damp air. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. |
| Lower and upper explosion limit / flammability limit | no data available |
| Flash point | 1625°C |
| Auto-ignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) |
| Decomposition temperature | no data available |
| pH | 11.0 (0.1 N aq soln) |
| Kinematic viscosity | no data available |
| Solubility | 72 % at 25°C (NIOSH, 2016) |
| Partition coefficient n-octanol/water (log value) | no data available |
| Vapour pressure | 0 mm Hg (approx) (NIOSH, 2016) |
| Density and/or relative density | 1.00?g/mL?at 20?°C |
| Relative vapour density | no data available |
| Particle characteristics | no data available |
10.Stability and reactivity
10.1 Reactivity
no data available
10.2 Chemical stability
In air, it is gradually decomp on exposure to carbon dioxide and moisture.
10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions
Vapors may collect and stay in confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks).Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in enclosed, poorly-ventilated, or low-lying areas. Keep out of these areas. Stay upwind.Hydrogen cyanide gas produced from potassium cyanide mixes well with air; explosive mixtures are easily formed.POTASSIUM CYANIDE is a basic salt and a reducing agent. Reacts with acids of all kinds to generate poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas. Can react violently with oxidizing agents: fusion with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates, or nitrites can cause explosions [Bretherick 1979. p. 101]. A mixture with perchloryl fluoride may explode above 100°C. A mixture with nitrite salts may cause an explosion [Pieters 1957. p. 30]. Incompatible with iodine. Initiates the explosive decomposition of nitrogen trichloride.
10.4 Conditions to avoid
no data available
10.5 Incompatible materials
Reacts with water or any acid releasing hydrogen cyanide.
10.6 Hazardous decomposition products
Potassium ... cyanide solutions give off hydrogen cyanide when heated above 176 deg F. /Potassium cyanide soln/
11.Toxicological information
Acute toxicity
- Oral: LD50 Rat oral 5 mg/kg
- Inhalation: no data available
- Dermal: no data available
Skin corrosion/irritation
no data available
Serious eye damage/irritation
no data available
Respiratory or skin sensitization
no data available
Germ cell mutagenicity
no data available
Carcinogenicity
no data available
Reproductive toxicity
no data available
STOT-single exposure
no data available
STOT-repeated exposure
no data available
Aspiration hazard
no data available
12.Ecological information
12.1 Toxicity
- Toxicity to fish: no data available
- Toxicity to daphnia and other aquatic invertebrates: no data available
- Toxicity to algae: no data available
- Toxicity to microorganisms: no data available
12.2 Persistence and degradability
no data available
12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
no data available
12.4 Mobility in soil
no data available
12.5 Other adverse effects
no data available
13.Disposal considerations
13.1 Disposal methods
Product
The material can be disposed of by removal to a licensed chemical destruction plant or by controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing. Do not contaminate water, foodstuffs, feed or seed by storage or disposal. Do not discharge to sewer systems.
Contaminated packaging
Containers can be triply rinsed (or equivalent) and offered for recycling or reconditioning. Alternatively, the packaging can be punctured to make it unusable for other purposes and then be disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Controlled incineration with flue gas scrubbing is possible for combustible packaging materials.
14.Transport information
14.1 UN Number
| ADR/RID: UN1680 | IMDG: UN1680 | IATA: UN1680 |
14.2 UN Proper Shipping Name
| ADR/RID: POTASSIUM CYANIDE, SOLID |
| IMDG: POTASSIUM CYANIDE, SOLID |
| IATA: POTASSIUM CYANIDE, SOLID |
14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
| ADR/RID: 6.1 | IMDG: 6.1 | IATA: 6.1 |
14.4 Packing group, if applicable
| ADR/RID: I | IMDG: I | IATA: I |
14.5 Environmental hazards
| ADR/RID: yes | IMDG: yes | IATA: yes |
14.6 Special precautions for user
no data available
14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
no data available
15.Regulatory information
15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the product in question
| Chemical name | Common names and synonyms | CAS number | EC number |
|---|---|---|---|
| potassium cyanide | potassium cyanide | 151-50-8 | none |
| European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS) | Listed. | ||
| EC Inventory | Listed. | ||
| United States Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory | Listed. | ||
| China Catalog of Hazardous chemicals 2015 | Listed. | ||
| New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC) | Listed. | ||
| Philippines Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical Substances (PICCS) | Listed. | ||
| Vietnam National Chemical Inventory | Listed. | ||
| Chinese Chemical Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (China IECSC) | Listed. | ||
16.Other information
Information on revision
| Creation Date | Aug 19, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Revision Date | Aug 19, 2017 |
Abbreviations and acronyms
- CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service
- ADR: European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
- RID: Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail
- IMDG: International Maritime Dangerous Goods
- IATA: International Air Transportation Association
- TWA: Time Weighted Average
- STEL: Short term exposure limit
- LC50: Lethal Concentration 50%
- LD50: Lethal Dose 50%
- EC50: Effective Concentration 50%
References
- IPCS - The International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC), website: http://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.home
- HSDB - Hazardous Substances Data Bank, website: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/hsdb.htm
- IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer, website: http://www.iarc.fr/
- eChemPortal - The Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances by OECD, website: http://www.echemportal.org/echemportal/index?pageID=0&request_locale=en
- CAMEO Chemicals, website: http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/search/simple
- ChemIDplus, website: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp
- ERG - Emergency Response Guidebook by U.S. Department of Transportation, website: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/erg
- Germany GESTIS-database on hazard substance, website: http://www.dguv.de/ifa/gestis/gestis-stoffdatenbank/index-2.jsp
- ECHA - European Chemicals Agency, website: https://echa.europa.eu/