Good afternoon Ruth Ann,

 

Per Sigma’s SDS, it does release very toxic gas upon contact with acids (hydrogen cyanide) https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/US/en/sds/SIAL/P2713?userType=undefined

, so the possibility of such an interaction happening with water is possible, although to a much lesser extent. Minor cyanide spill cleanups within fume hoods here at Yale are rinsed with pH 10 solutions (typically labs use sodium hydroxide) to avoid converting to HCN. We also recommend bleach after, but that may be incompatible with other components / mixtures so we’d need the lab to be sure we’re not at risk of generating other toxic gases like chlroamines.

 

https://ehs.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/potassium-sodium-cyanide-sop.pdf

 

As for the respirator, since you are not operating under local exhaust of any kind (snorkel, hood), use of a supplied air respirator would make sense as I don’t know how else you could assure the breathable air in the immediate area over the spill is safe to breathe. I can’t speak to the efficnency or effectiveness of filtered respirators in this situation.

 

Best,

-P

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

                        

 

 

 

 

 

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org