UCSF Lab Standard Operating Procedure
Chemical Process, Name or Hazard Class:
Potassium Cyanide
Please fill out the form completely.
Insure all users have access to this SOP.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Enter text.
Department:
Date SOP was written:
Enter date.
This lab specific SOP has been reviewed and approved by:
Principal Investigator Name:
Enter text.
Principal Investigator Signature
Lab Manager/Supervisor:
Type of SOP:
Process
Enter text.
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
Potassium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the formula KCN. This colorless crystalline compound,
similar in appearance to sugar, is highly soluble in water. Most KCN is used in gold mining, organic synthesis,
and electroplating. Smaller applications include jewelry for chemical gilding and buffing. In the state of
California, Potassium cyanide is used to execute death row inmates who prefer execution via inhalation of
lethal gas (hydrogen cyanide) over lethal injection. When Potassium cyanide is mixed with sulfuric acid,
hydrogen cyanide is produced actualizing the lethal gas.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#:
151-50-8
Class:
Acutely toxic chemical
Molecular formula:
KCN
Boiling Point:
1625 deg C Decomposition temperature is Not available
Melting Point:
634 deg C
Potassium Cyanide
1
Date: Click here to enter a date.
Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Appearance: Crystalline powder. White in color. Faint odor of bitter almond.
Target Organs: Central nervous system, lungs, eyes, thyroid, skin.
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. Concentrated HCN vapor may also be absorbed through the skin.
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 sudden 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. Early
symptoms include weakness, headache, giddiness, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.
Chronic: May interfere with iodine uptake of the thyroid gland and enlarge it. May be metabolized to cyanide
which in turn acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. 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. Exposure to small
amounts of cyanide compounds over long periods of time is reported to cause loss of appetite, headache,
weakness, nausea, dizziness, and symptoms of irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.
Engineering Controls
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
Use adequate ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low. Potassium cyanide must strictly be only used
Potassium Cyanide
2
Date: Click here to enter a date.
Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)
in a fume hood. It is never to be used outside of the fume hood. See 29CFR 1910.1003 for specific regulatory
requirements applying to areas containing a listed carcinogen, signs, training, reports, and medical
surveillance programs.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles.
Skin: Wear Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Butyl, PVC or Viton gloves. Any of these glove types are suitable for
handling potassium cyanide.
Clothing: Wear long pants, shirt and closed toed shoes and a lab coat while handling.
Respirators: If lab personnel would like to use respirator on a voluntary basis, they must be trained and fittested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement. (http://or.ucsf.edu/ehs/8193DSY/version/default/part/4/data/)
Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after
handling.
First Aid Procedures
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: POISON material. In case of contact, get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush eyes or skin with
plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing
before reuse. Destroy contaminated shoes.
Ingestion: Get medical aid immediately. SPEED IS ESSENTIAL. A DOCTOR MUST BE NOTIFIED AT ONCE.
POISON material. If swallowed, get medical aid immediately. Only induce vomiting if directed to do so by
medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Inhalation: SPEED IS ESSENTIAL, OBTAIN MEDICAL AID IMMEDIATELY. POISON material. If inhaled, get
medical aid immediately. Remove victim to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen.
Notes to Physician: Prompt action is essential in all cases of contact. Exposure should be treated as a cyanide
poisoning.
Antidote: For cyanide poisoning, administer cyanide antidote kit (contains amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite and
sodium thiosulfate).
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Potassium Cyanide
3
Date: Click here to enter a date.
Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)
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.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 9-911 from campus phone or 415-476-1414 from cell phone or 415-2068522 (SFGH only)
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Assist contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent
material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear
plastic bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 9-911 from campus phone or 415-476-1414 from cell phone or 415-2068522 (SFGH only) for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency
shower for at least 15 minutes. If discomfort persists, proceed to the Emergency Department. If no
further discomfort is experienced, have the SDS ready and contact Poison Control Hotline at 1-800222-1222 for further exposure information. Notify your direct supervisor and EH&S at 415-4761300 during work hours, or 9-911 during non-working hours and weekends.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for
15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. If discomfort persists, proceed to the Emergency
Department. If no further discomfort is experienced, have the SDS ready and contact Poison
Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 for further exposure information. Notify your direct
supervisor and EH&S at 415-476-1300 during work hours, or 9-911 during non-working
hours and weekends.
Medical Emergency Dial 9-911 (campus phone) or 476-6911 (cell phone)
Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 415-476-1300 within 8 hours.
Potassium Cyanide
4
Date: Click here to enter a date.
Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)
Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to Occupational Health Programs (OHP) Clinic, 415-8857580, 2330 Post Street, Suite 460 Hours of Operation for Appointments: Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (except Holidays).
Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 415-476-1300 within 8 hours.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the
affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane
exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Page the needle stick
nurse by dialing 415-353-7842 (STIC).
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Clean contaminated surfaces with soap and water and paper towels. Dispose of the paper towels as
hazardous waste.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
Online SDS can be accessed at http://or.ucsf.edu/ehs/7241-DSY/msds.html
Protocol/Procedure
Quantities covered by this SOP:
______ (g , ml) to _______ (g, ml)
Temperature range covered by this SOP:
__ °C – __ °C
General Overview and Purpose:
Enter the experimental purpose
Procedure:
Enter experimental procedure. You can copy procedure from your lab notebook or from literature.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from the Principal Investigator.
Potassium Cyanide
5
Date: Click here to enter a date.
Modified from SOP templates developed by UCLA EH&S (http://www.sop.ehs.ucla.edu/)