ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
POTASSIUM FERROCYANIDE [K4Fe(CN)6.3H20]
SYNONYMS
Yellow prussiate of potash, potassium hexacyanoferrate II.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Keep away from acids.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Yellow crystals or crystalline powder.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Potassium ferrocyanide can be absorbed into the body by
inhalation or ingestion of the powder. Insufficient medical data
is available on the effect of this substance on human health. It
is a skin and eye irritant. Inhalation will cause sore throat
and coughing.
TREATMENTS
Skin immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash the
affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation persists 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). If irritation or pain persist seek
medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest. If irritation persists or develops seek medical
attention.
Ingestion wash out the mouth thoroughly with water and give
water to drink. Seek immediate medical advice.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Heating produces toxic fumes of hydrocyanic acid. Reaction with
acids can also produce hydrocyanic acid and strong oxidising
agents.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and acids.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to minimise exposure to this substance. 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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