Print
Chemical Datasheet
CALCIUM CYANIDE |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
|
|
|
|
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
none
|
|
NFPA 704
General Description
White crystals or powder or gray-black powder (technical grade). Toxic by skin absorption through open wounds, by ingestion, and by inhalation.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble with evolution of some hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas. Release of gas is much more rapid if acid is present.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Decomposes in fire to give very toxic gases, including hydrogen cyanide. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation or ingestion causes headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness; high concentrations are rapidly fatal. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CALCIUM CYANIDE gives weakly acidic solutions. Contact with acids causes rapid evolution of hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with isocyanates, nitrides, and peroxides. May react rapidly with oxidizing agents.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Cyanides, Inorganic
- Acids, Weak
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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 the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
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, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
Note: Some foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases.
SMALL FIRE: CO2 (except for Cyanides), dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices 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, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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 damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing, including rubber footwear. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.
INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION: If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Generally, the induction of vomiting is NOT recommended outside of a physician's care due to the risk of aspirating the chemical into the victim's lungs. However, if the victim is conscious and not convulsing and if medical help is not readily available, consider the risk of inducing vomiting because of the high toxicity of the chemical ingested. Ipecac syrup or salt water may be used in such an emergency. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)
Physical Properties
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
Decomposes > 662°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
1.853
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight:
92.19
(NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Calcium cyanide (592-01-8)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
4.7 mg/m3 |
32 mg/m3 |
51 mg/m3 |
30 minutes |
4.7 mg/m3 |
19 mg/m3 |
39 mg/m3 |
60 minutes |
3.8 mg/m3 |
13 mg/m3 |
28 mg/m3 |
4 hours |
2.4 mg/m3 |
6.6 mg/m3 |
16 mg/m3 |
8 hours |
1.9 mg/m3 |
4.7 mg/m3 |
12 mg/m3 |
(NAC/NRC, 2023)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
Calcium cyanide (592-01-8)
|
3.8 mg/m3 |
13 mg/m3 |
28 mg/m3 |
(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 |
Calcium cyanide |
592-01-8 |
|
|
10 pounds |
313c |
P021 |
|
Cyanide Compounds |
N106 |
|
|
& |
313 |
|
|
(EPA List of Lists, 2022)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- CALCID
- CALCIUM CYANIDE
- CALCIUM CYANIDE, SOLID
- CALCIUM CYANIDE, [SOLID]
- CALCYAN
- CALCYANIDE
- CYANIDE OF CALCIUM
- CYANOGAS
- CYANOGAS A-DUST
- CYANOGAS G-FUMIGANT