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Chemical Datasheet

HYDROCYANIC ACID, AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS, WITH MORE THAN 20% HYDROGEN CYANIDE

6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard 3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 74-90-8   (HYDROGEN CYANIDE)
  • 1051
  • Poison Inhalation Hazard
  • Flammable Liquid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Hydrogen cyanide
  • HYDROGEN CYANIDE, LIQUEFIED
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
4 1
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Clear colorless aqueous solution of a gas. Has an odor of almonds. Can evolve hydrogen cyanide gas, which is (barely) lighter than air. Flame can flash back to the source of a gas leak very easily. Lethal doses of gas may be inhaled. Lethal doses of cyanide can be absorbed from the solution through the skin.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
No rapid reaction with air. No rapid reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

These materials are extremely flammable. May form explosive mixtures with air. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

TOXIC; Extremely Hazardous. May be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Initial odor may be irritating or foul and may deaden your sense of smell. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
HYDROCYANIC ACID, AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS, WITH MORE THAN 20% HYDROGEN CYANIDE react with acid to evolve hydrogen cyanide, a very poisonous colorless gas smelling of bitter almonds. Carbon dioxide from the air is sufficiently acidic to liberate HCN from aqueous solutions of hydrocyanic acid [Lewis]. The solution also can evolve gaseous hydrogen cyanide when heated. Inhalation of gaseous HCN is quickly fatal by respiratory arrest. The gas forms flammable or explosive mixtures with air (may be difficult to ignite at lower concentrations). It presents an explosion hazard when heated with or exposed to other oxidizing agents and may polymerize explosively at elevated temperature (50-60°C) or in the presence of traces of alkali [Wohler, L. et al., Chem. Ztg., 1926, 50, p. 761, 781]. Reacts violently with acetaldehyde. During the preparation of imidoester hydrochlorides, hydrogen chloride was rapidly passed over an alcoholic solution of hydrogen cyanide. An explosion ensued, despite cooling of the process [J. Org. Chem., 1955, 20, 1573].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1051 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Consider igniting spill or leak to eliminate toxic gas concerns. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 117(P) [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Hydrogen cyanide (21°C, liquid) 74-90-8 Liquid 135 >480 135
Hydrogen cyanide (27°C, gaseous) 74-90-8 Vapor 30 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Excerpt from 117 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic - Flammable (Extreme Hazard); polymerization hazard]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CHN (aqueous)
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: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: 13.60 eV [From NPG: Hydrogen cyanide] (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 50 ppm [From NPG: Hydrogen cyanide] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Hydrogen cyanide (74-90-8)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 2.5 ppm 17 ppm 27 ppm
30 minutes 2.5 ppm 10 ppm 21 ppm
60 minutes 2 ppm 7.1 ppm 15 ppm
4 hours 1.3 ppm 3.5 ppm 8.6 ppm
8 hours 1 ppm 2.5 ppm 6.6 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Hydrogen Cyanide (74-90-8) NA 10 ppm 25 ppm
NA = not appropriate.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Hydrogen cyanide; (Hydrocyanic acid) (74-90-8) 2 ppm 7.1 ppm 15 ppm LEL = 56000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

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
Hydrocyanic acid 74-90-8 100 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds X P063 2500 pounds
Hydrogen cyanide 74-90-8 100 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds 313 P063 2500 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Hydrocyanic acid 74-90-8 1.00 % 2500 pounds toxic
Hydrogen cyanide; [Hydrocyanic acid] 74-90-8 4.67 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Hydrogen Cyanide, Anhydrous 74-90-8 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names