ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
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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