Standard Operating Procedure for Highly Hazardous Chemicals:
Cyanides and Cyanogens
Principal Investigator:
Department:
Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
Office Phone:
24-hour Emergency Contact:
Date SOP was written and approved by PI:
Date of last SOP revision by PI
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Section 1 – Hazardous Chemicals
Chemical Name
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CAS Number
Quantity Stored:
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Quantity and units
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Quantity and units
Section 2 – Potential Hazards
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Cyanide salts are highly toxic. Very harmful or fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed via contact
with the skin or eyes. It presents toxicity by skin absorption through open wounds and by
inhalation of dust. This substance inhibits cellular respiration, which leads to anoxia. Blue
discoloration or the skin (Cyanosis) tends to be associated with severe cyanide poisoning, but can
cause deceptively healthy pink to red skin color.
Examples of these chemicals include: hydrogen cyanide, cyanide salts (e.g. sodium, potassium
cyanides), metal cyanides (e.g. copper, silver and zinc cyanides) and cyanogens (e.g. cyanogen
bromide).
Hydrogen cyanide is a highly toxic gas with a faint, bitter, almond like odor. The acute toxicity of
hydrogen cyanide is high, and exposure by inhalation, ingestion, or eye or skin contact can be
rapidly fatal.
Cyanogen bromide is extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and upper
respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Exposure to cyanogen bromide may cause cough, shortness of
breath, headache and nausea.
Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. Exposure to sodium cyanide may cause
cough, shortness of breath, headache and nausea. Inhalation may provoke the following
symptoms: spasm, inflammation and edema of the bronchi. Aspiration or inhalation may cause
chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, lungs, central nervous system depression with
hypertension or circulatory failure, and respiratory depression.
Trialkylsilyl cyanides (e.g. trimethylsilyl cyanide (TMSCN), tert-butyldimethylsilyl cyanide
(TBDMSCN)) are acutely toxic (oral, dermal, inhalation) owing to their facile reaction with water
to generate hydrogen cyanide with its documented hazards.
Section 3 – Trainings/Approvals Required
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PI or designee must provide training to the laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in
working with hazardous chemicals, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
The laboratory personnel should attend the trainings, review this SOP and SDS and complete the
documentation of training.
The trainings should be provided prior to work with hazardous chemicals and annual refresher
thereafter.
Section 4 – Designated Area
Storage & Use Location: Enter Building and Room Number(s)
Enter Storage Conditions.
(For example: room temperature, refrigerator, inert atmosphere, glove
Storage Conditions:
box. Please refer to Section 7 for more information on choosing
appropriate storage conditions)
Section 5 – Engineering Controls / Emergency Safety Equipment
Engineering Controls
 All handling and use of cyanide, cyanogen, and trialkylsilyl cyanide compounds must be
performed inside a certified chemical fume hood and with the sash at the lowest possible height for
safe usage of reagents.
Emergency Safety Equipment
 An eyewash, safety shower, and ABC fire extinguisher must be available within the work area for
immediate emergency use. All personnel must be aware of their locations prior to working with
highly hazardous chemicals.
 If cyanide exposure is suspected, call 353-2121 (CRC) or 414-4444 (BUMC/BMC) immediately
for emergency transport or go to nearest Emergency Department (ED). Inform them this is a
possible cyanide poisoning and that cyanide antidote should be available.
Section 6 – Personal Protective Equipment
Eye Protection
 Fully enclosed goggles or a face shield are recommended for work with these chemicals as they
offer greater facial protection than safety glasses.
Hand Protection
 Gloves must be worn when handling cyanides, cyanogens and trialkylsilyl cyanide chemicals.
Disposable nitrile gloves should be adequate for handling most of these in general laboratory
settings. If direct or prolonged contact is anticipated, appropriate chemical-resistant gloves should
be used. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) should be reviewed if handling may involve extended or high
exposure to lab personnel to ensure adequate skin protection is provided.
Skin and Body Protection
 Protection equipment against chemicals such as lab coats is required. Full-length pants or
equivalent as well as closed toe shoes must be worn. Long-sleeved clothing, lab coat or apron is
advised if more than normal handling operations could be expected.
Section 7 – Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
Precautions for safe handling
 Do not work alone when working with highly hazardous chemicals. All colleagues in the area
should be made aware of the hazards with the project.
 Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Further processing of solid
materials may result in the formation of combustible dusts. The potential for combustible dust
formation should be taken into consideration before additional processing occurs.
 Avoid use of cyanides in acidic aqueous solutions; solution pH should be between 9-10.5.
 Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.
 Inform others in the laboratory about your usage of highly hazardous chemicals.
 Use gas-tight syringes for measuring volumes of trialkylsilyl cyanides. Reactions should be
performed under an inert atmosphere. Avoid using water (ice) baths as accidental spillage of
reagent into bath will generate HCN gas. Keep reagent away from ignition sources.
Weighing and Preparation
 For weighing or use, transport cyanide reagent from the storage area to the chemical fume hood in a
labeled, sealed non-breakable secondary container. Always remove cyanide from its secondary
container in a chemical fume hood in order to safely vent any accumulated vapor.
 Perform all weighing and preparation of cyanide solutions over plastic-backed absorbent pads in a
chemical fume hood. Dispose of pads immediately upon contamination and after completion of
tasks in a bag labeled as cyanide hazardous waste.
 Wear nitrile gloves for all procedures involving preparation and handling of cyanide. Wear two
pairs of disposable nitrile exam gloves or one pair of non-disposable nitrile gloves (minimum 10
mil thickness) when working with cyanides that readily absorb through the skin, when cleaning up
spills and when handling cyanide-containing liquids.
 Change gloves after each use, or immediately when torn, punctured, or contaminated. Wash hands
thoroughly.
Use
 If applicable, a sharps container specifically for cyanide will be in the immediate vicinity for safe
sharps disposal. Avoid use of needles/sharps or use safety sharps that you are experienced with
when possible.
 Place all potentially contaminated disposable items in a separate cyanide hazardous waste bag or
container before disposal.
 Non-disposable utensils, glassware, and other surfaces contaminated with cyanide compounds must
be decontaminated at the end of the laboratory work session. Complete this inside a fume hood
before removing any of the items. Clean syringes with pH 10 buffer solution and then rinse with a
freshly made 10% bleach solution. Treat spent cleaning solution as cyanide waste.
 Wash all contaminated surfaces with pH 10 buffer solution and rinse with a freshly made 10%
bleach solution.
 When work completed, remove gloves and wash hands with soap and water.
Storage requirements
 Never allow product to get in contact with water during storage. Do not store near acids.
Cyanides, cyanogens, and trialkylsilyl cyanide compounds in contact with (aqueous) acids liberate
very toxic and highly flammable hydrogen cyanide gas.
 Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers that are opened must be
carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Ensure that manufacturer’s labels and
warnings remain intact. Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide can react with water and even
humidity to produce hydrogen cyanide gas.
 Store cyanides away from incompatible chemicals to prevent adverse reactions including formation
of hydrogen cyanide gas. These include oxidizing agents (such as perchlorates, peroxides,
permanganates, chlorates, nitrates, chlorine, bromine, and fluorine), amines, calcium hydroxide,
caustic ammonia, sodium carbonate, iron and magnesium.
 Keep trialkylsilyl cyanide reagents under a nitrogen blanket. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated
area away from incompatible substances. Store in a refrigerator designed for flammables. Store
protected from moisture.
 Never return excess chemicals to the original container.
 Purchase only the smallest amounts necessary for your work, and discard old materials promptly.
Reagents should be periodically examined to ensure containers are in good condition.
 Storage requirements will depend on the specific chemical being stored. Check Safety Data Sheets
for incompatibilities when storing chemicals.
 Avoid storing the material by exits.
Transport requirements
 Transportation of hazardous chemicals should follow the guidelines for chemicals as described in the BU
Chemical Hygiene Plan. For bulk transport, chemicals should be transported using a clean cart. The
materials themselves must be in sealed containers, clearly labeled with the contents name and
applicable hazard classification(s).
Section 8 – Spill and Accident Procedures
Emergency procedures for chemical exposure
If cyanide exposure is suspected, call 353-2121 (CRC) or 414-4444 (BUMC/BMC) immediately
and tell them this is a possible cyanide exposure event. Before assisting affected person, ensure
that assisting does not cause cyanide exposure to the responder. Do not contact the affected
person’s contaminated clothing or skin without PPE and do not give mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation.
Treat all exposures (skin, inhalation, ingestion) seriously. Do not rely on odor threshold as
20-60% of people cannot detect the “bitter almond” odor of hydrogen cyanide gas.
Symptoms of acute exposure are:
 Weakness, difficulty breathing
 Headache, confusion, dizziness, vertigo
 Nausea, vomiting
 Skin becomes pink/cherry red from cyanide-hemoglobin reaction
 Continued exposure can cause coma, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest
Provide First Aid Immediately
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For inhalation exposure, without contaminating yourself, move the individual out of contaminated
area to fresh air while awaiting emergency responders. Do not give mouth-to-mouth or mouth-tonose resuscitation, as this may cause cyanide exposure to the rescuer.
For sharps injury (needlestick or subcutaneous exposure), flush the exposed area thoroughly for
15 minutes using lukewarm water.
For skin exposure, use the nearest safety shower for 15 minutes. Stay under the shower and
remove clothing. Use a clean lab coat or spare clothing for cover-up.
For eye exposure, use the eye wash for 15 minutes while holding eyelids open.
Get Help Immediately
 Call 353-2121 (CRC) or 414-4444 (BUMC/BMC) immediately for emergency transport or go to
nearest Emergency Department (ED). Inform them this is a possible cyanide poisoning and that
cyanide antidote should be available. Give details of exposure:
o Chemical
o Dose
o Route of exposure
o Time since exposure
 Bring to the ED the SDS/MSDS and this SOP with the information from CDC Emergency
Response Safety and Health Database:
Cyanide chloride http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750039.html
Hydrogen cyanide http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750038.html
Potassium cyanide http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750037.html
Sodium cyanide http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750036.html
 Notify your supervisor as soon as possible for assistance.
 Secure area before leaving. Lock doors and indicate spill if needed.
Report Incident to Environmental Health & Safety
 Notify EHS immediately after providing first aid and/or getting help.
Emergency procedures for chemical spill or accident
Any cyanide spills must be cleaned up immediately by properly protected and trained personnel. All
other persons should leave the area. Spill response procedures must be developed based on the
chemical and potential spill or release conditions. Clean up spills using contents of the spill kit. Do
not attempt to clean up any spill if not trained or comfortable. Since cyanides will react with
water to produce toxic hydrogen cyanide gas, never attempt to clean up cyanide spills with plain
water. Evacuate the area and call EHS for help. If a person is injured, exposed or suspected of
being exposed to cyanides, call 353-2121 (CRC) or 414-4444 (BUMC/BMC) immediately.
Follow EXPOSURE PROCEDURES described above.
Small Spills inside a fume hood or approved containment
 Close hood sash, cordon off area.
 Do not attempt to clean up spilled cyanide with plain water since cyanides will react with
water to form toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. Use pH > 10 buffer solutions.
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Personnel must wear a lab coat or smock, safety goggles, and two pairs of disposable nitrile gloves
(or one pair of non-disposable nitrile or butyl gloves (minimum 10 mil thickness) or Silver Shield
gloves), when cleaning up spills.
Liquids: Wipe up spilled liquids with absorbent pads.
Solids: Gently cover solid spills with paper towels or absorbent pads wetted with pH 10 buffer
solution to avoid raising dust and then wipe up.
Clean the spill area thoroughly with pH 10 buffer solution followed by dilute bleach solution.
If spill is extensive within the containment, clean all interior surfaces after completion of the spill
cleanup as in 7 above.
Double bag all waste in plastic bags labeled with the contents and store in fume hood away from
incompatible chemicals or procedures. Submit request to EH&S for cyanide hazardous waste pick
up.
If deemed appropriate, call EHS; tell them that a cyanide spill has occurred and you need advice or
assistance. Notify supervisor.
Large Spills inside fume hood or approved containment
 Close hood sash, cordon off area.
 Call EHS; tell them that a cyanide spill has occurred, and that you need help managing the
spill. EHS may decide to contact a spill cleanup contractor. Notify supervisor.
 Be prepared to provide the following information:
o Name and phone number of knowledgeable person that can be contacted
o Name of chemical spilled, concentration and amount spilled, liquid or solid type spill
o Number of injured, if any (refer below to EXPOSURE PROCEDURES in case of emergency)
o Location of spill
Any Spill outside of fume hood or approved containment
 Evacuate all personnel from the laboratory and restrict access.
 As soon as possible report the spill by notifying EHS; tell them that a cyanide spill has occurred,
and you need help managing the spill. EHS may contact a spill cleanup contractor. Notify
supervisor.
 Be prepared to provide the following information:
o Name and phone number of knowledgeable person that can be contacted
o Name of chemical spilled, concentration and amount spilled, liquid or solid type spill
o Number of injured, if any (refer below to EXPOSURE PROCEDURES in case of
emergency)
o Location of spill
Section 9 – Waste Disposal
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Cyanide waste should be collected independently of other waste streams. Never add any acidic
compounds to a cyanide waste container.
Work-space surfaces must be wiped down after completion of tasks with appropriate cleaning
solution. Absorbent pads will be replaced after completion of tasks or immediately if
contaminated.
Cyanide is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) P-Listed (acutely toxic) material. Empty
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containers that held P-listed chemicals must also be disposed of as hazardous waste. The
containers are not allowed to be washed or re-used.
Unused and waste P-listed cyanide solid and solutions must be sealed in labeled chemically
compatible sturdy containers (no more than one quart in volume) for pickup as hazardous cyanide
waste by EHS.
The bottles a P-listed cyanide was received in, even when empty, must be managed and collected
as hazardous cyanide waste. This also includes empty vials, syringes, pipette tips, and other
containers if the cyanide-containing chemical was the sole active ingredient in the container.
Used and potentially contaminated absorbent pads, PPE, etc. will be placed in a labeled hazardous
chemical waste bag specifically for the P-listed cyanide. Submit request to EHS for pickup.
Used sharps will be placed in sharps containers specifically labeled as containing P-listed cyanidecontaining chemical. Submit request to EHS for pickup.
Keep cyanide waste materials in closed and labeled dedicated bags and containers within a fume
hood away from incompatible chemicals or procedures before EHS pickup.
Waste disposal requests should be directed to EHS at
http://www.bu.edu/ehs/services/waste/chemical-waste/.
Section 10 – Lab Specific Changes
Laboratory-Specific
Procedures:
Describe any deviation from the recommended practices in the SOP
Documentation of Training
Print this page (multiple copies as needed) and insert into your Chemical Safety
Logbook, under the Personnel and User Certification section.
The laboratory personnel should attend annual training sessions, review this SOP and
SDS, and sign the training form. Signature of all users is required.
I have read and understand the content of the referenced SOP:
Name (please print)
Signature
Date