Laboratory Specific
Chemical:
Please fill out the form completely. Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan .
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Department:________________________ Date when SOP was written:_______
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: ___________________
Principal Investigator:___________________________________________________
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:___________________________________
Laboratory Phone:____________________ Office Phone:_____________________
Emergency Contact:____________________________________________________
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:__________________________________________
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Process Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Class
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.
CAS#:
Class:
151-50-8
Acutely toxic chemical
Molecular formula: KCN
Boiling Point: 1625 deg C Decomposition temperature is Not available
Melting Point: 634 deg C
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Appearance: Crystalline powder. White in color. Faint odor of bitter almond.
Central nervous system, lungs, eyes, thyroid, skin.
Contact with eyes may cause severe irritation, and possible eye burns. Cyanide can be absorbed through the eyes causing the symptoms described for inhalation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Wear chemical splash goggles.
Wear Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Butyl, PVC or Viton gloves. Any of these glove types are suitable for handling potassium cyanide.
Wear long pants, shirt and closed toed shoes and a lab coat while handling.
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134 and ANSI
Z88.2 requirements or European Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant respirator use.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prompt action is essential in all cases of contact. Exposure should be treated as a cyanide poisoning.
For cyanide poisoning, administer cyanide antidote kit (contains amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate).
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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.
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.
911
– Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors.
Eliminate sources of ignition if the chemical is flammable. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. 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. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.)
– 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.
– Dial 911 (or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) and EH&S at x59797 for assistance.
– Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
– Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
911
– Dial 911
(or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) or contact the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) directly at x52111 (located at 757 Westwood Plaza, enter from Gayley
Avenue). Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
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– Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF), x56771, CHS room 67-120 (This is on the 6 th floor, 7 th corridor, room 120. Enter through the
School of Dentistry on Tiverton Drive and proceed to the “O” elevator to the 6th floor.)Hours: M -
F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) at x52111 . Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
(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 231 from a campus phone, enter 93333 when prompted and then enter your extension. Hours: M – F, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA
Medical Center (emergency room) at x52111 . Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Waste disposal procedures
1. Potassium cyanide and all Potassium cyanide waste shall be disposed of into waste containers specifically designated for Potassium cyanide. Examples of Potassium cyanide waste material include gloves, pipette tips, paper towels that have been contaminated with Potassium cyanide.
2. Once the waste container is full, dispose of according the UCLA EH&S hazardous waste guidelines.
Decontamination of Equipment
KCN can be detoxified most efficiently with hydrogen peroxide
KCN + H2O2 → KOCN + H2O
(State the location of MSDS)
Hardcopy or electronic copy must be available.
Online MSDS can be accessed at http://msds.ehs.ucla.edu
.
(Add specific description of procedure.)
Note: Any deviation from this SOP requires written approval from PI.
(signature of all users is required)
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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