ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
POTASSIUM CYANIDE (KCN)
SYNONYMS
None known.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact corrosive.
Avoid inhalation of the vapour.
Avoid ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Keep away from strong oxidants.
Keep away from acids.
Keep the lid tightly sealed.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
White, hygroscopic crystals or crystalline powder with
characteristic odour.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
A toxic solid which inhibits cellular respiration and in serious
cases can result in death. It is a corrosive substance and can
be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion or through
the skin. When dissolved in water it is a strong base and will
react violently with acids. Acute exposure to the eyes and skin
causes redness and pain. The eyes also suffer from blurred
vision. Inhalation causes sore throat, faintness, laboured
breath and unconsciousness. Ingestion causes painful swallowing,
abdominal pain and unconsciousness.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing, immediately wash the
affected area with large amounts of water until all evidence of
the chemical has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If
irritation or burning persist seek medical attention. Wash
contaminated clothing before reuse.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). Seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Give amyl
nitrate to breathe. Seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion rinse the mouth with plenty of water, give two to
four glasses of water to drink and induce vomiting by touching a
finger to the back of the throat. Inhale amyl nitrate and seek
immediate medical attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Potassium cyanide is incompatible with:
Acids liberates toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas.
Acids violent reaction.
Aluminium and zinc corrosive.
Strong oxidants fire and explosion.
Heating produces toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide.
STORAGE
Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry atmosphere
away from heat and incompatible substances.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to keep the level of exposure below the
recommended threshold limit, ie. 5 mg/m3. If the
level of exposure is expected to exceed the recommended
threshold then a respirator or selfcontained breathing
apparatus is recommended. Wear protective clothing. A long
sleeved laboratory coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles
and a face mask as a minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Long rubber gloves, self contained breathing apparatus and
laboratory coat.
SPILLS:
Eliminate all sources of ignition.
1 General treatment.
Absorb the liquid with vermiculite or on paper towel. If a solid
sweep on to paper towel. Place on an iron or glass dish in a
fume hood. Evaporate and burn the paper.
On skin: immediately wash the affected area with soap and a
large amount of water.
2 Hydrocyanic acid leak.
Turn on the fume hood. allow the gas to leak into a container of
sodium hydroxide solution while stopping the leak. Add excess
calcium hypochlorite to the alkali cyanide. discharge to the
sewer with a large excess of water.
3 Cyanides.
Scoop into a large beaker and make alkaline with sodium
hydroxide solution. Add to the slurry an excess of ferrous
sulphate solution. After one hour discharge to the sewer with a
large excess of water.
4 Nitriles.
Add an excess of calcium hypochlorite solution to produce a
cyanate. Scoop the slurry into a large beaker. After one hour
discharge to the sewer with a large excess of water. Wash the
spill site with a soap solution containing some hypochlorite.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Add with stirring to strong calcium hypochlorite solution.
Allow to stand for 24 hours then discharge to the sewer with a
large excess of water.
OR
2 Liquid nitrile can be mixed with a flammable solvent and
sprayed into an incinerator equipped with an afterburner and
scrubber.
ENVIRONMENT:
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