POTASSIUM FERRICYANIDE [K₃Fe(CN)₆]

SYNONYMS
Potassium hexacyanoferrate, red potassium prussiate.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Keep away from acids.
Keep away from ammonia.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Red crystals or powder.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
There is insufficient medical data available on the effect of this substance on human health. The substance may be absorbed into the body by ingestion. At room temperature the substance has such a low vapour pressure that inhalation of the vapour is unlikely.
TREATMENTS
Skin ­ remove contaminated clothing and wash the affected area with large amounts of water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If irritation persists seek medical advice. 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). If irritation or pain persist seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation ­ remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. Keep warm and allow to rest. Seek medical attention if necessary.
Ingestion ­ rinse the mouth with water and seek immediate medical advice.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Potassium ferricyanide is incompatible with:
Acids ­ forms hydrocyanic acid.
Ammonia ­ fire and explosion hazard.
Heating produces toxic fumes of hydrocyanic acid.
STORAGE
Store in the dark in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and incompatible substances.
HANDLING
As insufficient medical data is available on the effects of this substance on human health, safety precautions should be followed. Use a fume hood and 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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