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Chemical Datasheet
POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
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none
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Potassium cyanide (as CN)
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NFPA 704
General Description
Clear colorless aqueous solution with a faint odor of bitter almonds. Can contain up to 50 g of potassium cyanide per 100 g of water at room temperature.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. UN1796, UN1802, UN1826, UN2032, UN3084, UN3085, and, at concentrations above 65%, UN2031 may act as oxidizers. Also consult 140
. Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Substance may react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION is weakly basic. Reacts with acids of all kinds to generate quantities of very poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, especially if solution dries out. Gives insoluble products with silver(I), mercury(I) and lead(II) ions that may decompose violently under certain conditions.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Cyanides, Inorganic
- Bases, Weak
- Water and Aqueous Solutions
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
Excerpt from ERG Guide 157 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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 |
Potassium cyanide (10%) |
151-50-8 |
Liquid |
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>480 |
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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 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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 skin contact with Hydrofluoric acid (UN1790), if calcium gluconate gel is available, rinse 5 minutes, then apply gel. Otherwise, continue rinsing until medical treatment is available. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim calm and warm. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)
Physical Properties
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: data unavailable
IDLH:
25 mg CN/m3
(NIOSH, 2023)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Potassium cyanide (151-50-8)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
6.6 mg/m3 |
45 mg/m3 |
72 mg/m3 |
30 minutes |
6.6 mg/m3 |
27 mg/m3 |
56 mg/m3 |
60 minutes |
5.3 mg/m3 |
19 mg/m3 |
40 mg/m3 |
4 hours |
3.5 mg/m3 |
9.3 mg/m3 |
23 mg/m3 |
8 hours |
2.7 mg/m3 |
6.6 mg/m3 |
18 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 |
Potassium cyanide (151-50-8)
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5.3 mg/m3 |
19 mg/m3 |
40 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 |
Cyanide Compounds |
N106 |
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& |
313 |
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Potassium cyanide |
151-50-8 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
313c |
P098 |
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(EPA List of Lists, 2022)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
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RELEASE |
THEFT |
SABOTAGE |
Chemical of Interest |
CAS Number |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Potassium cyanide |
151-50-8 |
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ACG |
APA |
sabotage/ contamination |
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- POTASSIUM CYANIDE
- POTASSIUM CYANIDE SOLUTION
- POTASSIUM SALT OF HYDROCYANIC ACID