Page 334 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

324 POTASSIUM CYAMDE
death is delayed, neuromuscular symptoms develop. Contact with dust irritates eyes and may cause mild
irritation of skin, General Treamnt for Exposure: INHALATION: move to fresh air; if exposure to
dust is severe, get medical attention. INGESTION: give immediately by mouth a dilute solution of any
soluble calcium salt (calcium lactate, lime water, chalk solution; or even milk); large amounts of Ca
are required; administer gastric lavage with dilute lime water consult physician; watch for edema of
the glottis and delayed constriction of esophagus. EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min.; Toxicity
by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): Data not available; Short-Tern Inhalation Limits: Data not
available; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 3, LD, 50-500 mg/kg; Late Toxicity: Data not available; Vapor
(Gas) Imkmt Characteristics: Data not available; Liquid or Solid Im'tant Characterirn'cs: Data not
available; Odor Threshold Odorless.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Fldle Limits in Air (96): Not flammable; Fire
fitinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire fitinguishing Agents Not to be Used: Not pertinent; Special
Hazarak of Combustion Products: Not pertinent; Behavior in Fire: Not pertinent; Ignition Temperature
: Not pertinent; Elecrrical Hazard Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Not pertinent.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: Below 50 "C product dissolves in water and reacts to
form the precipitate potassium tetraoxalate; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability
During Tmport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymrizm'on:
Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymrization: Not pertinent.

POTASSIUM CYANIDE
Chemical Designations - Synonym: Cyanide; Chemical Formula: KCN.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as shipped): Solid; Color: White; Odor: Like hydrogen
cyanide; almond-like.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at 15 'C and I atm. : Solid; Molecular Weight:
65.12; Boiling Point at I atm.: Very high; Freezing Point: 1174,634.5,907.7; Critical Temperature:
Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; geci$c Gravity: 1.52 at 16 "C (solid); Vapor (Gas)
Specific Gravity: Not pertinent; Ratio of Specific Heats of Vapor (Gas) Not pertinent; Latent Heat of
:
Vqorization: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat ofDecomposition: Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Wear dry cotton gloves
and U.S. Bureau of Mines approved dust respirator when handling solid potassium cyanide. Wear
rubber gloves and approved Chemical safety goggles when handling solutions; Symptom Following
Exposure: Is rapidly fatal poison when taken into the digestive system. Dust may cause toxic symptoms
when inhaled, and prolonged contact with the skin may cause irritation and possibly poisoning if skin
is broken. Strong solutions are corrosive to skin and may cause deep ulcers that heal slowly; General
Treatment for Exposure: INGESTION: call physician immediately; have victim lie down and keep him
quiet and warm. If he is conscious, induce vomiting by having him drink warm salt water (1 tablespoon
per cup of water); repeat until vomit fluid is clear; then give orally 1 pint of 1% solution of sodium
thiosulfate, to be repeated in 15 min. Victim is not breathing, give artificial respiration until breathiig
stam. If victim is unconscious but breathing, give oxygen from an inhalator if he does not respond to
treatment. In all cases, break an amyl nitrite pearl in a cloth and hold lightly under victim's nose for
15 sec., repeating 5 times at about 15-sec. intervals; if necessary, repeat procedure every 3 min. with
fresh pearls until 3 or 4 have been used. Amyl nitrite pearls must not be over 2 years old. Avoid
breathing the vapor while administering it to the victim; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value):
Not pertinent; Short-Tern Inhalation Limits: Data not available; Toxicity by Ingestion: Grade 4, LD,
below 50 mglkg (mice); Late Toxicity: None; Vapor (Gas) Im'tant Characteristics: Non-volatile, but
moisture in air can liberate come lethal hydrogen cyanide gas; Liquid or Solid Im*tant Characteristics:
Moist solid can cause caustic-type irritation of skin and formation of ulcers; Odor 7hreshold Not
pertinent.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point : Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (96): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to be Used: Not pertinent; Special
Hazardr of Combustion Products: Not pertinent; Behavior in Fire: Not flammable; Ignition
Temperature : Not flammable; Electrical Hazard: Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Not flammable.