Page 215 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

HYDROGEN CYANIDE 205

quiet, and call a physician immediately; if a qualified person is available to give oxygen, such treatment
may be helpful. INGESTION: have victim drink water or milk; do NOT induce vomiting. EYES OR
SKIN: immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 min.; for eyes get medical attention
promptly; air contaminated clothing and wash before reuse; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit
Value): 5 ppm; Short-Term Inhalation Limits: 5 ppm for 5 min.; Toxicity by Ingestion: Data not
available; Lute Toxicity: None; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapors cause severe irritation eye
and lung injury. They cannot be tolerated even at low concentrations; Liquid or Solid Irritant
Characteristics: Fairly severe skin irritant; may cause pain and second-degree burns after few minutes
contact; Odor Threshold: 1 - 5 ppm.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (9%): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not flammable; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: Not flammable;
Special Hazarak of Combustion Products: Not flammable; Behavior in Fire: Pressurized containers may
explode releasing toxic and irritating vapors; Ignition Temperature : Not flammable; Electrical
Hazard:; Burning Rate: Not flammable.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: Moderate reaction with the evolution of heat; Reactivity
with Comn Materials: Rapidly absorbs moisture forming hydrochloric acid. Very corrosive to metals
with the evolution of flammable and explosive hydrogen gas; Stability During Transport: Stable;
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Flush with water and apply powdered limestone, slaked
lime, soda ash, or sodium bicarbonate; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not
pertinent.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE
Chemical Designations - Synonym: Hydrocyanic acid; Prussic acid; Chemical Formula: NCH.
Observable characteristics - Physical Sate (as shipped): Liquid; Color: Colorless to bluish white;
Odor: Characteristic sweetish, like almond.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 “c and I atm. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
21.03; Boiling Point at I am.: 18.3, 25.1, 298.9: Freezing Point: 8.1, -13.3, 259.9; Critical
Temperature: 362.3, 183.5,456.1; Critical Pressure: 735,50,5.01; Specific Gravity: 0.689 at 20 “C
(liquid); Vqor (Gas) Specific Gravity: 0.9; Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas): 1.303; Latent Heat
of Vqorization: 444,241,10.3; Heat of Combustion: -10,560, -5864, -245.3; Heat ofDecomposition:
Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information -Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Escape purposes only
- air escape mask with 5-minute air cylinder. Work purposes- vapor-proof emergency suit or vinyl-
coated coverall, plus air mask with clear-view facepiece, speaking diaphragm, demand regulator, and
30-minute air cylinder. Rubber gloves; chemical safety goggles: quick-opening safety shower;
Symptoms Following Exposure: Irritation of throat, palpitation, difficult breathing, reddening of eyes,
salivation, nausea, headache, weakness of arms and legs, giddiness-followed by collapse and
convulsions; General Treatment for Exposure: Call a doctor. If breathing has stopped, give artificial
respiration until doctor arrives. INHALATION: remove patient to fresh air. SKIN CONTACT: remove
contaminated clothing and wash skin thoroughly with copious quantities of water for at least 15 min.
If patient is unconscious, administer amyl nitrite by crushing a pearl (ampule) in a cloth and holding
this under patient’s nose for 15 seconds in every spent. Continue treatment until patient’s condition
improves or doctor arrives; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): 10 ppm; Short-Term
Inhalation Limits: 20 ppm for 30 min.; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 4, LD,, less than 50 mg/kg; Late
Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapor is not very irritating but is
extremely poisonous; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: Liquid is not irritating but is extremely
if absorbed through skin or eyes; Odor Threshold 1 mg/m3.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point (a2g. F): 0 CC; Flarmnable Limits in Air (%): 5.6 - 40; Fire Extinguishing
Agents: Stop flow of gas if practical; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used: None; Special
Hazarak of Combustion Products: Extremely toxic vapors are generated even at ordinary temperatures;
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode and contents spontaneously ignite; Ignition Temperature
(deg. F): 1,004; Electrical Hazard: No data; Burning Rate: 1.8 mm/min.