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Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Potassium thiocyanate
Date:
Mar 13, 2026 16:31 UTC
Author:
Emery, Paul <000022b311809bcc-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
From:
Chung, Andrew <000015259e158d13-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Potassium thiocyanate
Date:
Mar 13, 2026 16:06 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID:
<BYAPR05MB6197AF20B6889E8DFB09B19EF145A**At_Symbol_Here**BYAPR05MB6197.namprd05.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<SJ0PR19MB6838BC024B64E666D799DC19CB44A**At_Symbol_Here**SJ0PR19MB6838.namprd19.prod.outlook.com>
It’s my understanding that the thiocyanate anion is generally stable in water unless the solution is acidic, in which case there may be generation of hydrogen cyanide gas.
Given the deliquescent nature of potassium thiocyanate, I expect that kicking up respirable dry dust is not a significant concern here, especially if the spill is sufficiently wetted with water before cleanup.
Regards,
Andrew
Andrew H. Chung, M.S., CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Environment, Health, and Safety
University of California, San Francisco
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
On Behalf Of Murphy, Dr. Ruth Ann
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2026 3:31 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Potassium thiocyanate
Good Afternoon/Evening, What safeguards are needed to dispose of a bottle of potassium thiocyanate which broke open (presumably, from moisture absorption/deliquescence)
in a lab refrigerator? Someone said there is a possibility of release of
Good Afternoon/Evening,
What safeguards are needed to dispose of a bottle of potassium thiocyanate which broke open (presumably, from moisture absorption/deliquescence) in a lab refrigerator? Someone said there is a possibility of release of a toxic gas and recommended
use of a respirator.
Thank you!
Ruth Ann
Ruth Ann Cook Murphy, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
900 College Street
Belton, TX 76513-2599
Phone 254.295.4542
Accepting Christ is life's greatest decision; following Christ is life's greatest adventure.
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