Chemical Datasheet
MERCURIC CYANIDE |
|
Chemical Identifiers
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CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and instability hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.
DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.
CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.
NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and instability hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. See a guide to the NFPA diamond.
General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.
List of data sources.
| CAS Number | UN/NA Number | DOT Hazard Label | CHRIS Code |
|---|---|---|---|
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NFPA 704
| Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health
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3 | Can cause serious or permanent injury. | |||||||||
Flammability
|
0 | Will not burn under typical fire conditions. | ||||||||||
Instability
|
0 | Normally stable, even under fire conditions. | ||||||||||
Special
|
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Odorless tetragonal crystals or white powder. Toxic by inhalation (dust, and the hydrogen cyanide from decomposition) and by ingestion. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires.
Hazards
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Reactivity Alerts - Special alerts if the chemical is especially reactive
(see list of reactivity alerts).
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents - Absorbents are products that can be used to soak up liquids from spills. However, some absorbents can react with particular chemicals (that is, they are incompatible), so caution should be used in selecting the correct absorbent for your situation. This section provides a list of potentially incompatible absorbents that have been known to react with liquids assigned to one or more of the reactive groups listed on this datasheet. Read more about absorbents, including situations to watch out for.
List of data sources.
Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.
Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).
Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).
Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).
Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents - Absorbents are products that can be used to soak up liquids from spills. However, some absorbents can react with particular chemicals (that is, they are incompatible), so caution should be used in selecting the correct absorbent for your situation. This section provides a list of potentially incompatible absorbents that have been known to react with liquids assigned to one or more of the reactive groups listed on this datasheet. Read more about absorbents, including situations to watch out for.
List of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water. Gradually decomposed by water to give off hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Fumes from fire may contain toxic mercury and hydrogen cyanide. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Symptoms of both cyanide and mercury intoxication can occur. Acute poisoning has resulted from inhaling dust concentrations of 1.2-8.5 mg/m 3 of air; symptoms include tightness and pain in chest, coughing, and difficul ty in breathing; cyanide poisoning can cause anxiety, confusion, dizziness, and shortness of breath, with possible unconsciousness, convulsions, and paralysis; breath may smell like bitter almonds. Ingestion causes necrosis, pain, vomiting, an d severe purging, plus the above symptoms. Contact with eyes causes ulceration of conjunctiva and cornea. Contact with skin causes irritation and possible dermatitis; systemic poisoning can occur by absorption through skin. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
MERCURIC CYANIDE is rapidly decomposed by acids to give off hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas. Decomposed in the light. May tend to explosive instability. Capable of violent reaction with oxidizing agents. Fusion with metal chlorates, perchlorates, nitrates or nitrites can cause a violent explosion [Bretherick 1979. p. 101].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
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Isolation and Evacuation - Isolation and evacuation distance
recommendations from the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG).
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear.
Dupont Tychem® Suit Fabrics - A table of normalized breakthrough times for DuPont Tychem suit fabrics for the chemical, if available.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).
Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).
Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear.
Dupont Tychem® Suit Fabrics - A table of normalized breakthrough times for DuPont Tychem suit fabrics for the chemical, if available.
First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.
List of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from GUIDE 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:
As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: Increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown above.
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2012)
As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: Increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown above.
FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2012)
Firefighting
Excerpt from GUIDE 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Dike fire-control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2012)
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Dike fire-control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2012)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from GUIDE 154 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2012)
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2012)
Protective Clothing
Dust mask; goggles or face shield; rubber gloves (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Act quickly; call physician.
INHALATION: if victim has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration immediately; using amyl nitrite pearls, administer amyl nitrite by inhalation for 15-30 seconds of every minute while sodium nitrite solution is being prepared; discontinue amyl nitrite and immediately inject intravenously 10 ml of a 3% solution of sodium nitrite (nonsterile if necessary) over a period of 2-4 min.; without removing needle, infuse intravenously 50 ml of a 25% aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate; injection should take about 10 min. (concentrations of 5-50% may be used, but keep total dose approx. 12 gm). Oxygen therapy may be helpful in combination with the above.
INGESTION: alimentary absorption is very rapid; action during first 10-15 min. determines prognosis. Give egg whites, milk, or activated charcoal and induce vomiting; treat for cyanide poisoning as above.
EYES or SKIN: wash with water for 15 min. (USCG, 1999)
INHALATION: if victim has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration immediately; using amyl nitrite pearls, administer amyl nitrite by inhalation for 15-30 seconds of every minute while sodium nitrite solution is being prepared; discontinue amyl nitrite and immediately inject intravenously 10 ml of a 3% solution of sodium nitrite (nonsterile if necessary) over a period of 2-4 min.; without removing needle, infuse intravenously 50 ml of a 25% aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfate; injection should take about 10 min. (concentrations of 5-50% may be used, but keep total dose approx. 12 gm). Oxygen therapy may be helpful in combination with the above.
INGESTION: alimentary absorption is very rapid; action during first 10-15 min. determines prognosis. Give egg whites, milk, or activated charcoal and induce vomiting; treat for cyanide poisoning as above.
EYES or SKIN: wash with water for 15 min. (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
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This section contains physical properties, flammability limits, and toxic thresholds for this chemical (see
definitions of each property).
More property data is available for common chemicals.
See also the Levels of Concern guide for information on AEGLs, ERPGs, PACs, and IDLH values.
List of data sources.
See also the Levels of Concern guide for information on AEGLs, ERPGs, PACs, and IDLH values.
List of data sources.
| Chemical Formula: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
4
at 68.0 ° F
(USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight:
252.63
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
IDLH:
10 mg/m3
(as Hg)
(NIOSH, 2003)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercuric cyanide (592-04-1) | 0.12 mg/m3 | 1.3 mg/m3 | 35 mg/m3 |
(SCAPA, 2012)
Regulatory Information
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This section contains regulatory information from the Title III Consolidated
List of Lists (see
details about each regulatory field).
List of data sources.
List of data sources.
| Regulatory Name | CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ | EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide Compounds | N106 | & | 313 | ||||
| Mercuric cyanide | 592-04-1 | 1 | 313c | ||||
| Mercury Compounds | N458 | & | 313 |
- "c" indicates that although not listed by name and CAS number, this chemical is reportable under one or more of the EPCRA section 313 chemical categories.
- & indicates that no RQ is assigned to this generic or broad class, although the class is a CERCLA hazardous substance. See 50 Federal Register 13456 (April 4, 1985).
(EPA List of Lists, 2012)
Alternate Chemical Names
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
- CIANURINA
- DICYANOMERCURY
- MERCURIC CYANIDE
- MERCURIC CYANIDE (HG(CN)2)
- MERCURIC CYANIDE, [SOLID]
- MERCURY (II) CYANIDE
- MERCURY CYANIDE
- MERCURY DICYANIDE
- MERCURY(II) CYANIDE
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