Potassium Cyanide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

_________________________ _____________ Emergency Overview: Appearance: White powder Odor: Bitter Almonds EU Symbols: T+ - VERY TOXIC N - DANGEROUS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

R-phrase(s)

R 26/27/28 Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin liberates very toxic gas. R 50/53: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long and if swallowed. R 32: Contact with acids -term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Emergency response to cyanide exposure should be planned and practiced prior to work with cyanides. First responders should start treatment and get medical attention immediately. Antidote: break an amyl nitrite pearl in cloth and hold lightly under nose for 15 seconds. Repeat 5 times at 15 second intervals. Transport to hospital immediately. Note to Physician: Have a cyanide first aid kit available. If patient has not responded to amyl nitrite, inject intraveneously 10 ml of a 3% solution of sodium nitrite at a rate not greater than 2,5 - 5 ml/min. Follow directly wit h 50 ml of a 25 % solution of sodium thiosulfate at the same rate by the same route. Keep patient under observation. If signs of poisoning persist or reappear, repeat nitrite and thiosulfate injections 1 hour later in one-half the original doses. Prote ctive Equipment:

Potential health effects

Eye Contact (EC) May cause irritation May cause ataxia Skin Contact (EC): No effects are anticipated - loss of muscular coordination respiratory stimulation Skin Absorption (EC): Target Organs (SA E): Harmful if absorb ed through the skin Effects similar to those of ingestion Central nervous system Ingestion (EC) Very Toxic May be rapidly fatal. Causes cyanosis ( a reduction of the blood's ability to carry oxygen, giving a bluish disco loration) May cause: anxiety headache confusion irregular heartbeat coma death Inhalation: Effects similar to those of ingestion. Target Organs (Ing E): Brain Central nervous system

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Pre Target Organs (Inh E): Brain Central nervous system -existing: Skin conditions

Potential chronic health

Chronic overexposure may cause central nervous system effects Cancer / Reproductive Toxicity Information: IARC Listed: No Additional Cancer / Reproductive Toxicity Information: teratogen.

Contains

an experimental mutagen. an experimental Toxicologically Synergistic Products: None reported