Name:
Potassium Cyanide
Synonym:
Cyanide of potassium; Hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt; KCN
CAS:
151-50-8
Section 1 - Chemical Product
MSDS Name:Potassium Cyanide
Synonym:Cyanide of potassium; Hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt; KCN
Synonym:Cyanide of potassium; Hydrocyanic acid, potassium salt; KCN
Section 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
| CAS# | Chemical Name | emsds | EINECS# |
| 151-50-8 | Potassium cyanide | >96 | 205-792-3 |
| Hazard Symbols: T+ N Risk Phrases: 26/27/28 32 50/53 |
Section 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Potential Health Effects
Eye:
Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Cyanide can be absorbed through the eyes causing the symptoms described for inhalation.
Skin:
May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Contact with skin causes irritation and possible burns, especially if the skin is wet or moist. Causes symptoms similar to those of inhalation. Skin absorption may cause unconsciousness.
Ingestion:
May be fatal if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation exposure. May cause tissue anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death. Contains cyanide. Human fatalities have been reported from acute poisoning. Large doses of cyanide may result in suddden loss of consciousness and prompt death; small doses will prolong the above symptoms 1 to 2 hours.
Inhalation:
May be fatal if inhaled. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Inhalation may result in symptoms similar to cyanide poisoning which include tachypnea, hyperpnea (abnormally rapid or deep breathing), and dyspnea (labored breathing) followed rapidly by respiratory depression. Pulmonary edema may occur. KCN reacts with moisture to release very toxic hydrogen cyanide vapor (HCN). Inhalation of 20-40 ppm HCN may result in slight symptoms of poisoning. Higher concentrations can cause death within minutes or hours. Early symptoms include weakness, headache, giddiness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.
Chronic:
Chronic exposure can affect thyroid function. Chronic exposure to cyanide solutions may lead to the development of a "cyanide" rash, characterized by itching, and by macular, papular, and vesicular eruptions, and may be accompanied by secondary infections.
Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas. Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Potential Health Effects
Eye:
Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Cyanide can be absorbed through the eyes causing the symptoms described for inhalation.
Skin:
May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Contact with skin causes irritation and possible burns, especially if the skin is wet or moist. Causes symptoms similar to those of inhalation. Skin absorption may cause unconsciousness.
Ingestion:
May be fatal if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause effects similar to those for inhalation exposure. May cause tissue anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death. Contains cyanide. Human fatalities have been reported from acute poisoning. Large doses of cyanide may result in suddden loss of consciousness and prompt death; small doses will prolong the above symptoms 1 to 2 hours.
Inhalation:
May be fatal if inhaled. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Inhalation may result in symptoms similar to cyanide poisoning which include tachypnea, hyperpnea (abnormally rapid or deep breathing), and dyspnea (labored breathing) followed rapidly by respiratory depression. Pulmonary edema may occur. KCN reacts with moisture to release very toxic hydrogen cyanide vapor (HCN). Inhalation of 20-40 ppm HCN may result in slight symptoms of poisoning. Higher concentrations can cause death within minutes or hours. Early symptoms include weakness, headache, giddiness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.
Chronic:
Chronic exposure can affect thyroid function. Chronic exposure to cyanide solutions may lead to the development of a "cyanide" rash, characterized by itching, and by macular, papular, and vesicular eruptions, and may be accompanied by secondary infections.
Section 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES
Eyes: Treat patient as for inhalation. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical aid immediately.
Skin:
Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Discard contaminated clothing in a manner which limits further exposure. SPEEDY ACTION IS CRITICAL! Treat patient as for inhalation.
Ingestion:
Get medical aid immediately. SPEED IS ESSENTIAL. A DOCTOR MUST BE NOTIFIED AT ONCE. Do not give anything by mouth. Treat patient as for inhalation.
Inhalation:
Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. Do NOT use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Keep warm and at rest. Administer oxygen. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a mask.
SPEED IS ESSENTIAL, OBTAIN MEDICAL AID IMMEDIATELY.
Notes to Physician:
Prompt action is essential in all cases of contact. Exposure should be treated as a cyanide poisoning.
Skin:
Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Discard contaminated clothing in a manner which limits further exposure. SPEEDY ACTION IS CRITICAL! Treat patient as for inhalation.
Ingestion:
Get medical aid immediately. SPEED IS ESSENTIAL. A DOCTOR MUST BE NOTIFIED AT ONCE. Do not give anything by mouth. Treat patient as for inhalation.
Inhalation:
Remove from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. Do NOT use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Keep warm and at rest. Administer oxygen. If breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device such as a bag and a mask.
SPEED IS ESSENTIAL, OBTAIN MEDICAL AID IMMEDIATELY.
Notes to Physician:
Prompt action is essential in all cases of contact. Exposure should be treated as a cyanide poisoning.
Section 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
General Information:
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Contact with acid or acid fumes evolves heat and flammable vapors. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.
Extinguishing Media:
Use alkali dry chemical. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or acidic dry chemical extinguishers since very toxic and flammable HCN will be released.
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Contact with acid or acid fumes evolves heat and flammable vapors. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.
Extinguishing Media:
Use alkali dry chemical. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or acidic dry chemical extinguishers since very toxic and flammable HCN will be released.
Section 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks:
Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions.
Decontaminate trace cyanide in the spill area with a strong sodium or calcium hypochlorite solution and flush waste to a holding area for potassium removal. Provide ventilation. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Evacuate unnecessary personnel.
Spills/Leaks:
Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions.
Decontaminate trace cyanide in the spill area with a strong sodium or calcium hypochlorite solution and flush waste to a holding area for potassium removal. Provide ventilation. Prevent spreading of vapors through sewers, ventilation systems and confined areas. Evacuate unnecessary personnel.
Section 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE
Handling:
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Do not ingest or inhale. Acids should not be used around sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide unless absolutely necessary and then only after careful planning. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) formation is the greatest potential hazard in using sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide solutions because some HCN gas will be released. Use only with adequate ventilation or respiratory protection.
Storage:
Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Poison room locked. Keep away from acids. Store protected from moisture.
Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Do not ingest or inhale. Acids should not be used around sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide unless absolutely necessary and then only after careful planning. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) formation is the greatest potential hazard in using sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide solutions because some HCN gas will be released. Use only with adequate ventilation or respiratory protection.
Storage:
Store in a tightly closed container. Keep from contact with oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Poison room locked. Keep away from acids. Store protected from moisture.
Section 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION
Engineering Controls:
Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
Exposure Limits CAS# 151-50-8: United States OSHA: 5 mg/m3 TWA (listed under Cyanide anion).
Belgium - STEL: 5 mg/m3 VLE Germany: (listed as cyanide anion): Skin absorber Japan: 5 mg/m3 Ceiling (as CN) Malaysia: 5 mg/m3 Ceiling (as CN) Netherlands: (listed as cyanide anion): 5 mg/m3 MAC (as CN) Spain: 5 mg/m3 VLA-EC Personal Protective Equipment Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHAs 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
Use process enclosure, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
Exposure Limits CAS# 151-50-8: United States OSHA: 5 mg/m3 TWA (listed under Cyanide anion).
Belgium - STEL: 5 mg/m3 VLE Germany: (listed as cyanide anion): Skin absorber Japan: 5 mg/m3 Ceiling (as CN) Malaysia: 5 mg/m3 Ceiling (as CN) Netherlands: (listed as cyanide anion): 5 mg/m3 MAC (as CN) Spain: 5 mg/m3 VLA-EC Personal Protective Equipment Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHAs 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
Section 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical State: Crystalline powder
Color: white
Odor: faint odor of bitter almond
pH: 11 (0.1N)
Vapor Pressure: 0 mm Hg @ 20 deg C
Viscosity: Not available.
Boiling Point: 1625 deg C
Freezing/Melting Point: 634 deg C
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Explosion Limits, lower: Not available.
Explosion Limits, upper: Not available.
Decomposition Temperature: Not available.
Solubility in water: Soluble in water
Specific Gravity/Density: 1.52 @ 16C
Molecular Formula: KCN
Molecular Weight: 65.11
Section 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Chemical Stability:
Stable in dry air, but slowly decomposes in moist air.
Conditions to Avoid:
Dust generation, moisture, excess heat, confined spaces.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Violent reactions can occur with strong oxidizing agents. Contact with acids liberates extremely toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. Reacts with carbon dioxide to produce HCN. Reacts slowly with water to produce HCN. Solutions are corrosive to metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Stable in dry air, but slowly decomposes in moist air.
Conditions to Avoid:
Dust generation, moisture, excess heat, confined spaces.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Violent reactions can occur with strong oxidizing agents. Contact with acids liberates extremely toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. Reacts with carbon dioxide to produce HCN. Reacts slowly with water to produce HCN. Solutions are corrosive to metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
RTECS#:
CAS# 151-50-8: TS8750000 LD50/LC50:
CAS# 151-50-8: Oral, mouse: LD50 = 8500 ug/kg; Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 5 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 5 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 6 mg/kg.
Human LDLo Oral: 2857 ug/kg.
Carcinogenicity:
Potassium cyanide - Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP.
Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
CAS# 151-50-8: TS8750000 LD50/LC50:
CAS# 151-50-8: Oral, mouse: LD50 = 8500 ug/kg; Oral, rabbit: LD50 = 5 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 5 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD50 = 6 mg/kg.
Human LDLo Oral: 2857 ug/kg.
Carcinogenicity:
Potassium cyanide - Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP.
Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity:
Daphnia: Daphnia: 2 mg/l; 48H; EC50
Daphnia: Daphnia: 2 mg/l; 48H; EC50
Section 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.
Section 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION
IATA
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM CYANIDE
Hazard Class: 6.1
UN Number: 1680
Packing Group: I
IMO
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM CYANIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 6.1
UN Number: 1680
Packing Group: I
RID/ADR
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM CYANIDE
Hazard Class: 6.1
UN Number: 1680
Packing group: I
USA RQ: CAS# 151-50-8: 10 lb final RQ; 4.54 kg final RQ
Section 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION
European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols: T+ N
Risk Phrases:
R 26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with
skin and if swallowed.
R 32 Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
R 50/53 Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause
long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
Safety Phrases:
S 7 Keep container tightly closed.
S 28A After contact with skin, wash immediately with
plenty of water.
S 29 Do not empty into drains.
S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
medical advice immediately (show the label where
possible).
S 60 This material and its container must be
disposed of as hazardous waste.
S 61 Avoid release to the environment. Refer to
special instructions/safety data sheets.
WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
CAS# 151-50-8: 3
Canada
CAS# 151-50-8 is listed on Canadas DSL List.
CAS# 151-50-8 is not listed on Canadas Ingredient Disclosure List.
US FEDERAL
TSCA
CAS# 151-50-8 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
