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Chemical Datasheet
HYDROGEN CYANIDE, ANHYDROUS, STABILIZED (ABSORBED) |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 74-90-8
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none
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Hydrogen cyanide
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- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, LIQUEFIED
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NFPA 704
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a faint odor of bitter almonds that is absorbed in a porous inert material. Absorption slows evolution of vapors. Vapors slightly lighter than air. Deadly poison by all routes (absorption through skin of liquid, inhalation of vapors, etc). Prolonged exposure of closed containers to heat may cause violent rupture and rocketing.
Rate of onset: Immediate
Persistence: Minutes
Odor threshold: 1-5 ppm
Source/use/other hazard: War gas, pesticide, Herbicide; other industries; Weak acid except in water or mucous membranes - then corrosive/training.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Polymerizable
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable but absorption can prevent evolution of enough vapors to ignite. Flame may easily travel back to source of leak. Vapors forms explosive mixtures with air. Soluble in water (exception of absorbing material).
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:
Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff may pollute waterways. Substance may be transported in a molten form. (ERG, 2024)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
HYDROGEN CYANIDE, ANHYDROUS reacts as an oxidizing agent and as a weak acid. Absorption moderates its reactivity. Presents an explosion hazard when heated or exposed to oxidizing agents. Reacts violently with acetaldehyde. May polymerize explosively at elevated temperature. May polymerize in the presence of traces of alkali [Wohler, L. et al., Chem. Ztg., 1926, 50, p. 761, 781]. During the preparation of imidoester hydrochlorides, hydrogen chloride was rapidly passed over an alcoholic solution of hydrogen cyanide. An explosion ensued, even with cooling of the process [J. Org. Chem., 1955, 20, 1573].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Cyanides, Inorganic
- Acids, Weak
- Polymerizable Compounds
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been
known to react with the
absorbents
listed below.
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
- Dirt/Earth
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1614 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 152 [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Hydrogen cyanide:
Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.
Provide:
� EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
� QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Hydrogen cyanide (21°C, liquid) |
74-90-8 |
Liquid |
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135 |
>480 |
135 |
Hydrogen cyanide (27°C, gaseous) |
74-90-8 |
Vapor |
|
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30 |
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>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Hydrogen cyanide:
Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin: WATER FLUSH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.
Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
0°F
(96%)
(NIOSH, 2024)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
5.6 %
(NIOSH, 2024)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
40 %
(NIOSH, 2024)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
7°F
(96%)
(NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Pressure:
630 mmHg
(NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
0.69
(NIOSH, 2024)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
78°F
at 760 mmHg
(96%)
(NIOSH, 2024)
Molecular Weight:
27
(NIOSH, 2024)
Water Solubility:
Miscible
(NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
13.60 eV
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH:
50 ppm
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Hydrogen cyanide (74-90-8)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
2.5 ppm |
17 ppm |
27 ppm |
30 minutes |
2.5 ppm |
10 ppm |
21 ppm |
60 minutes |
2 ppm |
7.1 ppm |
15 ppm |
4 hours |
1.3 ppm |
3.5 ppm |
8.6 ppm |
8 hours |
1 ppm |
2.5 ppm |
6.6 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
Hydrogen Cyanide (74-90-8)
|
NA |
10 ppm |
25 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
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Hydrogen cyanide; (Hydrocyanic acid) (74-90-8)
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2 ppm |
7.1 ppm |
15 ppm |
LEL = 56000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Cyanide Compounds |
N106 |
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& |
313 |
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Hydrocyanic acid |
74-90-8 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
X |
P063 |
2500 pounds |
Hydrogen cyanide |
74-90-8 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
313 |
P063 |
2500 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
|
RELEASE |
THEFT |
SABOTAGE |
Chemical of Interest |
CAS Number |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Hydrocyanic acid |
74-90-8 |
1.00 % |
2500 pounds |
toxic |
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Hydrogen cyanide; [Hydrocyanic acid] |
74-90-8 |
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4.67 % |
15 pounds |
WME |
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(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
Chemical Name |
CAS Number |
Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
Hydrogen Cyanide, Anhydrous |
74-90-8 |
1000 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
Alternate Chemical Names
- CARBON HYDRIDE NITRIDE (CHN)
- EVERCYN
- FORMIC ANAMMONIDE
- FORMONITRILE
- HYDROCYANIC ACID
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE (HYDROCYANIC ACID)
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, ANHYDROUS, STABILIZED (ABSORBED)
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, STABILIZED (ABSORBED)
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, [ABSORBED]
- PRUSSIC ACID