Potassium cyanide SDS
SECTION 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking
Product identifier
- Product name: Potassium cyanide
- CAS: 151-50-8
Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against
- Relevant identified uses: For R&D use only. Not for medicinal, household or other use.
- Uses advised against: none
Company Identification
- Company:Chemicalbook.in
- Address:5 vasavi Layout Basaveswara Nilayam Pragathi Nagar Hyderabad, India -500090
- Telephone:+91 9550333722
SECTION 2: Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
Corrosive to metals, Category 1
Acute toxicity - Category 1, Oral
Acute toxicity - Category 1, Dermal
Acute toxicity - Category 1, Inhalation
Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure, Category 1
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, short-term (Acute) - Category Acute 1
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term (Chronic) - Category Chronic 1
GHS label elements, including precautionary statements
-
Pictogram(s)
- Signal word Danger
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
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/hearing 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.
P390 Absorb spillage to prevent material damage.
P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
P321 Specific treatment (see ... on this label).
P330 Rinse mouth.
P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/...
P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
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).
P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
P391 Collect spillage.
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.
P501 Dispose of contents/container to an appropriate treatment and disposal facility in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and product characteristics at time of disposal.
Other hazards which do not result in classification
no data available
SECTION 3: Composition/information on ingredients
Substance
- Chemical name: Potassium cyanide
- Common names and synonyms: Potassium cyanide
- CAS number: 151-50-8
- EC number: 205-792-3
- Concentration: 100%
SECTION 4: First aid measures
Description of necessary first-aid measures
Fresh air, rest. No mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. Administration of oxygen may be needed. Refer for medical attention.
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
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 .
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)
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.
SECTION 5: Firefighting measures
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.
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)
Special protective actions for fire-fighters
NO hydrous agents. NO water. NO carbon dioxide. In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.
SECTION 6: Accidental release measures
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
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.
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.
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
SECTION 7: Handling and storage
Precautions for safe handling
Handling in a well ventilated place. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Use non-sparking tools. Prevent fire caused by electrostatic discharge steam.
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.
SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
Control parameters
TLV: (ceiling value): 5 mg/m3 as STEL; (skin).EU-OEL: 1 mg/m3 as TWA; 5 mg/m3 as STEL; (skin)
no data available
Appropriate engineering controls
Ensure adequate ventilation. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Set up emergency exits and the risk-elimination area.
Individual protection measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE)
Wear face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.
Protective gloves. Protective clothing.
Use local exhaust or breathing protection.
no data available
SECTION 9: Physical and chemical properties and safety characteristics
-
Physical state:
Potassium cyanide is a white amorphous lumps or a crystalline mass with a faint odor of bitter almonds. Density 1.52 g / cm3 Toxic by skin absorption through open wounds, by ingestion. Heating to decomposition produces toxic fumes. Used for gold and silver extraction, in chemical analysis, to make other chemicals, and as an insecticide.
-
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 77° F (NIOSH, 2016)
-
Partition coefficient n-octanol/water:
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
SECTION 10: Stability and reactivity
Reactivity
Decomposes rapidly on contact with acids. Decomposes slowly on contact with water, moisture or carbon dioxide. This produces hydrogen cyanide (see ICSC 0492). The solution in water is a medium strong base.
Potassium cyanide is water-reactive.Potassium cyanide decomposes on contact with water, humidity, carbon dioxide, and acids, producing very toxic and highly flammable hydrogen cyanide gas.Potassium cyanide solution in water is a strong base; it reacts violently with acid and is corrosive.Potassium cyanide undergoes violent chemical reactions with chlorates and nitrites.
Chemical stability
In air, it is gradually decomp on exposure to carbon dioxide and moisture.
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.
Conditions to avoid
no data available
Incompatible materials
Reacts with water or any acid releasing hydrogen cyanide.
Hazardous decomposition products
Potassium ... cyanide solutions give off hydrogen cyanide when heated above 176 deg F. Potassium cyanide soln
SECTION 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
The substance is severely irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the cellular respiration. This may result in convulsions and unconsciousness. Exposure could cause death. Medical observation is indicated. See Notes.
STOT-repeated exposure
The substance may have effects on the thyroid.
Aspiration hazard
A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed.
SECTION 12: Ecological information
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
Persistence and degradability
no data available
Bioaccumulative potential
no data available
Mobility in soil
no data available
Other adverse effects
no data available
SECTION 13: Disposal considerations
Disposal methods
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.
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.
SECTION 14: Transport information
UN Number
ADR/RID: UN3413 (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: UN3413 (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: UN3413 (For reference only, please check.)
UN Proper Shipping Name
ADR/RID: POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION (For reference only, please check.)
Transport hazard class(es)
ADR/RID: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: 6.1 (For reference only, please check.)
Packing group, if applicable
ADR/RID: I (For reference only, please check.)
IMDG: I (For reference only, please check.)
IATA: I (For reference only, please check.)
Environmental hazards
ADR/RID: Yes
IMDG: Yes
IATA: Yes
Special precautions for user
no data available
Transport in bulk according to IMO instruments
no data available
SECTION 15: Regulatory information
Safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the product in question
SECTION 16: Other information
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/
Other Information
The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure.Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be available.Isolate contaminated clothing by sealing in a bag or other container.Do NOT take working clothes home.Never work alone in an area if hydrogen cyanide exposure is possible.Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested.