Cyanogen chloride

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

GENERAL REMARK:

THE SUBSTANCE IS EXTREMELY TOXIC. THEREFORE, CHLORCYAN IS ONLY PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS USE. IT'S NOT ISOLATED AND DIRECTLY PROCESSED FURTHER (CHEMICAL CONVERSION). ALL OPERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN A COMPLETELY CLOSED APPARATUS UNDER STRICTLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WORKER EXPOSURE OR RELEASE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

EYES:

Following contact with splashes from the expanded, undercooled liquid or exposure to the concentrated gas immediately. Rinse the affected eye with widely spread lids for 10 minutes under running water whilst protecting the unimpaired eye. Then, transport the casualty to hospital as soon as possible. During transport rinse further with water

(preferably with physiological saline solution, using an eye bath). Watch for possible consequences of inhalation, which may have taken place simultaneously. In such cases it is better to call an emergency physician to the site of the accident.

SKIN:

The first aid operator should definitely use respiratory protection. Otherwise, inhalative exposure cannot be avoided. For frostbite following contact with the expanded, undercooled liquid, frozen clothing should initially be left. Put the casualty under a shower (preferably a deluge shower). Remove respiratory protection and contaminated clothing only during the shower or at the end of prolonged shower action. Do not rub or further undercool areas with frostbite. Lay the casualty down in a quiet place and protect him against hypothermia. Call a physician to the site of the accident in every case because vapors have probably also been inhaled. Store the casualty's contaminated, wet clothing outdoors under safe conditions (under water).

RESPIRATORY TRACT:

When rescue from an atmosphere containing ClCN is necessary, the first aid operator needs respiratory protection (preferably independent of the outside air). Whilst protecting yourself remove the casualty from the hazardous area and take him to the fresh air. Lay the casualty down in a quiet place and protect him against hypothermia. Put the casualty in a semi-upright position. Do not conduct mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Immediately call a physician to the site of the accident. If the patient is unconscious and (still) breathing himself, isoamyl nitrite from an ampul should be administered

FOR SEVERE IRRITATION TO THE MUCUOUS MEMBRANES:

As soon as possible repeatedly have the casualty deeply breath a glucocorticoid inhalation spray in.

SWALLOWING:

Ingestion of the liquified gas, which will fume strongly and spread a pungent odor, can be ruled out in workplaces.

Fire-fighting measures

GENERAL REMARK:

THE SUBSTANCE IS EXTREMELY TOXIC. THEREFORE, CHLORCYAN IS ONLY PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS USE. IT'S NOT ISOLATED AND DIRECTLY PROCESSED FURTHER (CHEMICAL CONVERSION). ALL OPERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN A COMPLETELY CLOSED APPARATUS UNDER STRICTLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WORKER EXPOSURE OR RELEASE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Substance is incombustible. Select fire fighting measures according to the surrounding conditions. Cool surrounding containers with water spray. If possible, take container out of dangerous zone. Rise in pressure and risk of bursting when heating.

SPECIAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Ambient fire may liberate hazardous vapours or decomposition products, such as Nitrous gases (nitric oxides), Phosgene, Hydrogen chloride. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Wear a special tightly sealed suit.

Accidental release measures

GENERAL REMARK:

THE SUBSTANCE IS EXTREMELY TOXIC. THEREFORE, CHLORCYAN IS ONLY PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS USE. IT'S NOT ISOLATED AND DIRECTLY PROCESSED FURTHER (CHEMICAL CONVERSION). ALL OPERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN A COMPLETELY CLOSED APPARATUS UNDER STRICTLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WORKER EXPOSURE OR RELEASE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

GENERAL:

Provide adequate ventilation. Evacuate area. Warn affected surroundings. The hazardous area may only be entered once suitable protective measures are implemented. Only then can the hazardous situation be removed. Wear respiratory protection, eye protection, hand protection and body protection (see chapter Personal Protection). Attempt to stop the gas from escaping. Otherwise place leaky bottles under a suctioning device or put them outdoors. Contain escaping gases/vapours with water.

Afterwards ventilate area. Use plenty of water to clean the area surrounding the leak and equipment that has been in contact with the gas.

ENDANGERMENT OF WATER:

Severe hazard to waters. Inform the responsible authorities when only small quantities get into water, drainage, sewer, or the ground.

Handling and storage

GENERAL REMARK:

THE SUBSTANCE IS EXTREMELY TOXIC. THEREFORE, CHLORCYAN IS ONLY PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ITS USE. IT'S NOT ISOLATED AND DIRECTLY PROCESSED FURTHER (CHEMICAL CONVERSION). ALL OPERATIONS TAKE PLACE IN A COMPLETELY CLOSED APPARATUS UNDER STRICTLY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY WORKER EXPOSURE OR RELEASE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

WORKPLACE:

Provision of very good ventilation in the working area. The gas is heavier than air. Adequate ventilation of the floor area must be ensured as well. Devices for detecting and reporting the presence of hazardous gases should be present. Protect ducts and sewers against penetration by the gas. Eye bath required. These locations must be signposted clearly.

EQUIPMENT:

Use only closed apparatus. Dry apparatus by heating and/or evacuation. Use small cylinders and place them away from working area or in an exhausting hood. If dangerous pressure can arise from contact with heat, suitable safety measures and equipment should be provided. If release of the substance cannot be prevented, then it should be suctioned off at the point of exit. Consider emission limit values, a purification of waste gases if necessary. Label containers and pipelines clearly. There should be a shutoff for the lines at a safe distance.

SUITABLE MATERIALS:

- For cylinders and valves: steel, stainless steel, monel, aluminium, aluminium alloys

- For seals: Polytetrafluoro ethylene PTFE (Teflon), Polyvinylidene fluoride, Polychloro trifluoro ethylene PCTFE, Polyvinyl chloride

ADVICE ON SAFER HANDLING:

Do not store cylinders at the working area. do not force open valve. When changing bottles, always inspect the leak-proof closure of the filled and empty bottles. Prevent cylinders from falling over. Suck back of water into the container must be prevented. Do not allow backfeed into the container. Use leak-proof equipment with exhaust for refilling or transfer. Refilling or transfer in storage rooms is prohibited. Usually transport occurs in containers with high pressure. Use suitable equipment for the transport.

Tightly screw on the protective caps and blind nuts when transporting. Secure cylinders against falling over, do not throw.

CLEANING & MAINTENANCE:

Regular inspection of leak test required! Only conduct maintenance and other work on or in the vessel or closed spaces after obtaining written permission. Flush equipment and surfaces that have come into contact with the gas with a lot of water. Only work with vessels and lines after they have been thoroughly rinsed.

STORAGE:

Keep in locked storage or only make accessible to specialists or their authorised assistants. Containers have to be labelled clearly and permanently. Keep container below 50 deg C in a well-ventilated place. Keep upright, protect against falling over. Any gases that escape from storage rooms for toxic gases must be capable of being safely drawn off or collected and then disposed of. The facilities must be capable of being operated from a safe location. Do not store in escape routes, work rooms, or in direct proximity to them. For transporting, storing, preparing, emptying, and maintaining pressurized gas bottles, the detailed rules in TRG 280 must be absolutely adhered to. For pressurised gas packaging, observe the applicable TRG 300.

CONDITIONS OF COLLOCATED STORAGE:

Storage class 2 A (Gases)

Only substances of the same storage class should be stored together.

Collocated storage with the following substances is prohibited:

- Pharmaceuticals, foods, and animal feeds including additives.

- Infectious, radioactive und explosive materials.

- Flammable liquids of storage class 3.

- Other explosive substances of storage class 4.1A.

- Flammable solid substances or desensitized substances of storage class 4.1B.

- Spontaneously flammable substances.

- Substances liberating flammable gases in contact with water.

- Strongly oxidizing substances of storage class 5.1A.

- Oxidizing substances of storage class 5.1B.

- Organic peroxides and self reactive substances.

- Combustible and non combustible acutely toxic substances of stora-ge classes 6.1A and 6.1B.

- Combustible toxic or chronically acting substances of storage class 6.1C.

- Noncombustible toxic or chronically acting substances of storage class 6.1D.

- Combustible liquids of storage class 10.

Under certain conditions the collocated storage with the following sub-stances is permitted (For more details see TRGS 510):

- Aerosols (spray bottles).

- Ammonium nitrate and preparations containing ammonium nitrate.

- Combustible corrosive substances of storage class 8A.

- Combustible solids of storage class 11.

Consider the regulations of TRG 280 at collocated storage of different compressed gases. The substance should not be stored with substances with which ha-zardous chemical reactions are possible.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Shipping

Labels:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

SpecialProvisions

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Shipping

Labels:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Chemical name:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Labels:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Remarks

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Chemical name:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Labels:

NOT APPLICABLE; SUBSTANCE IS NOT ISOLATED AND TRANSPORTED.

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

PERSONAL PROTECTION:

- Combustible corrosive substances of storage class 8A.

- Combustible solids of storage class 11.

Consider the regulations of TRG 280 at collocated storage of different compressed gases. The substance should not be stored with substances with which hazardous chemical reactions are possible.

TECHNICAL CONSTRUCTIVE MEASURES:

Substance is non-combustible. Select fire and explosion prevention measures according to the other used substances. Inspect the electrical fittings regularly against the higher risk of corrosion. Protect parts of the system from any warming; if necessary, provide cooling with sprayed water. Instruction on the hazards and the protective measures using instruction manual (TRGS 555) are required with signature if just more than one minor hazard was detected. Instruction must be provided before employment and then at a minimum of once per annum thereafter. An escape and rescue plan must be prepared when the location, scale, and use of the work-site so demand. The number of employees who work with the hazardous substance must be kept to a minimum. Observe the restrictions on juvenile employment as defined in the "Jugendarbeitsschutzgesetz". Observe the restrictions on the employment of expectant and nursing mothers as defined in the "Mutterschutzverordnung". Only employees are permitted to enter the work areas. Signposting to this effect must be displayed.

BODY PROTECTION:

Depending on the risk, wear gas-tight protective clothing. Use protective boots while handling gas cylinders.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:

In an emergency (e.g.: unintentional release of the substance) respiratory protection must be worn. Consider the maximum period for wear.

Respiratory protection: Gas filter B, colour code grey. Use insulating device for concentrations above the usage limits for filter devices, for oxygen concentrations below 17% volume, or in circumstances which are unclear.

EYE PROTECTION:

Sufficient eye protection must be worn. Wear chemical safety goggles. If there is a risk of gases escaping, eye safety is best protected by wearing a full mask. When handling liquid gas, chemical safety goggles must be used as well as a protective shield.

HAND PROTECTION:

Wear leather gloves to prevent frostbite injuries from rapidly expanding gas when handling pressurised gas bottles. Skin protection cremes do not protect sufficiently against the substance. When there is a risk of direct contact with the substance, chemical-resistant gloves are required. Currently there is no information available regading suitable glove materials. Ask the manufacturer for suitable materials.

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE:

Avoid contact with skin. In case of contact wash skin. Avoid skin contact with the liquid phase: risk of frostbite. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact rinse the affected eye(s). Avoid inhalation of gas. Change and air out clothing that has been in contact with or taken up any of the gas.

Stability and reactivity

THERMAL DECOMPOSITION:

Decomposition when heated.

DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:

Combustion- and pyrolysis-gases of chlorine containing compounds contain hydrogen chloride, chlorine, phosgene; dioxines and other poisonous or corrosive substances in different concentrations. At the decomposition by heat, water or watervapour hydrogen cyanide and nitrous gases can also be released.

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL REACTIONS:

Tends to polymerize spontaneously. This reaction will be catalysed by traces of metal, metal salts or acids. It may proceed explosively. Risk of explosion in contact with:

fluorine hydrogen chloride; polymerization initiators like acids and iron salts. The substance polymerizes in contact with chlorine. The substance can react dangerously with

water; alcohols; acetylene; benzene; impurities.

Disposal considerations

Compressed gas cylinders can normally be returned to the supplier. Pressurised cans are nonreturnable and must be disposed of. Do not empty pressure vessels to the point of pressure compensation. Mark empty vessels to avoid confusion with full ones.