Potassium dicyanoaurate

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

4.1 Description of first aid measures

 

General advice:

Move out of dangerous area. Immediate medical attention is required. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance. Do not leave the victim unattended. The following recommendations in respect of first aid and therapy should be made available to all First Aid Officers and Doctors, who could be called upon to render first aid, before work with cyanide/hydrocyanic acid is started.

Protection of first-aiders:     No action shall be taken involving any personal risk or without suitable training. If it is suspected that fumes are still present, the rescuer should wear an appropriate mask or self-contained breathing apparatus. It may be dangerous to the person providing aid to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Wash contaminated clothing thoroughly with water before removing it, or wear gloves.

If inhaled:       Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position com-fortable for breathing. Call emergency doctor immediately (alarm report: cyanide / hydro-cyanic acid poisoning). If unconscious, place in recovery position and get medical attention immediately.

In case of skin contact:     If on skin, rinse well with water.
If on clothes, remove clothes. If skin irritation persists, call a physician. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse

In case of eye contact:       Small amounts splashed into eyes can cause irreversible tissue damage and blindness. Remove contact lenses. In the case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to the hospital. Protect unharmed eye. Keep eye wide open while rinsing. If eye irritation persists, consult a specialist.

If swallowed:       Clean mouth with water and drink afterwards plenty of water. Call emergency doctor immediately (alarm report: cyanide / hydro-cyanic acid poisoning). Keep respiratory tract clear. Do NOT induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Take the victim immediately to the hospital.

 

4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

Symptoms :

Skin contact may provoke the following symptoms:

• Allergic reactions


• Redness

Inhalation may provoke the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath


• Asthma

Ingestion may provoke the following symptoms:

• Eye contact


• Excessive lachrymation

4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed

Adverse symptoms include the following:

Discrimination in 2 stages seems appropriate:
1. mild poisoning: Patient conscious.
2. very serious poisoning: Patient unconscious.
Early stage: Headache, drowsiness/fatigue
Advanced stage: seizures, coma.

Respiratory tract:
Early stage: dyspnea, tachypnea.
Advanced stage: hypoventilation, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, apnea.

Cardio-vascular system:
Early stage: hypertension, sinus arrhythmia, atrioventricular arrhythmia, bradycardia.
Advanced stage: tachycardia, complex arrhythmias, cardiac arrest.

Skin/epithelium:
Early stage: rosy skin color. Advanced stage: cyanosis.

Gastrointestinal tract:
Lactate acidosis up to pH 7,1 and lactate level of 17 mmol/l are described.

Specific treatments

Ensure vital functions only without any personal risk. Rapid treatment with antidotes can save lives and has priority over the removal of poison!

Antidote treatment:
Warning! Dosage level relevant for adults weighing 70 kg.

In case of slight poisoning or danger of reabsorption (intake method: skin, gastro-intestinal tract): Possible administration of sodium thiosulphate (12,5 g i.v.) depending on the clinical symptoms.
In the event of severe poisoning, administration of an antidote is necessary.

Antidote treatment: Check if these antidotes are licensed in your country or check for alternatives

• Dicobalt edetate/sodium thiosulphate: 300 mg (1 vial) dicobalt edetate i.v., combination with sodium thiosulphate possible.
  Antidote in the event of false diagnosis or overdosage: sodium calcium edetate.


• Hydroxocobalamin/sodium thiosulphate: 4 g - Hydroxocobalamin by slow infusion; then 8 g sodium thiosulphate by infusion. The Hydroxocobalamin dosage can be raised if necessary.


• Amyl nitrite/sodium nitrite/sodium thiosulphate: amyl nitrite every 15 to 30 seconds by inhalation, then 300 - 600 mg sodium nitrite i.v., then 12,5 g sodium thiosulphate by infusion.
  Antidote in the event of false diagnosis or over dosage (methemoglobinemia > 30 %): toluidine blue, methylene blue.


• 4-dimethylaminophenol, 4-DMAP/sodium thiosulphate: 250 mg (1 vial) 4-DMAP i.v., then 12,5 g sodium thiosulphate by infusion.
  Antidote in the event of false diagnosis or over dosage (methemoglobinemia > 30 %): toluidine blue, methylene blue.

If substance has been swallowed:
If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious). First, administrate antidote, if necessary. Early endoscopy in order to assess mucosa lesions in the oesophagus and stomach which may appear. The administration of activated charcoal is disputed.

Administration of oxygen, artificial respiration, treatment of arrhythmias, treatment of spasmodic fit, correction of acid-base balance.

Follow-up of patient, if reabsorption possible (after oral intake, after skin absorption).

In case of contact consider corrosive action not only toxicity.

Fire-fighting measures

5.1 Extinguishing media

Suitable extinguishing media :       alkali powder quenching agent

Unsuitable extinguishing media:       Carbon dioxide (CO2), High volume water jet, acidic quenching agents

5.2 Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture

Specific hazards during fire-fighting:       Do not allow run-off from fire fighting to enter drains or water courses.

Hazardous combustion products:       

• Hazardous decomposition products due to incomplete combustion


• Metal oxides


• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)


• Hydrogen cyanide (hydrocyanic acid)

5.3 Advice for firefighters

Special protective equipment for firefighters:       Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

Further information:       Collect contaminated fire extinguishing water separately. This must not be discharged into drains. Fire residues and contaminated fire extinguishing water must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

 

Accidental release measures

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures

Personal precautions: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing dust.

6.2 Environmental precautions

Environmental precautions:       Prevent product from entering drains. Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. If the product contaminates rivers and lakes or drains inform respective authorities.

6.3 Methods and material for containment and cleaning up

Methods for cleaning up:       Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

Handling and storage

7.1 Precautions for safe handling

Advice on safe handling:   Avoid the formation of respirable particles. Do not breathe vapours/dust. Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. For personal protection see section 8. Smoking, eating and drinking should be prohibited in the application area. Dispose of rinse water in accordance with local and national regulations. Persons susceptible to skin sensitisation problems or asthma, allergies, chronic or recurrent respiratory disease should not be employed in any process in which this mixture is being used.

Advice on protection against fire and explosion:  Avoid dust formation. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.

Hygiene measures:   Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. When using do not eat or drink. When using do not smoke. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

Requirements for storage areas and containers:    Keep containers tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully re-sealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Observe label precautions. Electrical installations / working materials must comply with the technological safety standards. To maintain product quality, do not store in heat or direct sunlight.

Advice on common storage:   Do not store near acids.

Storage class:   6.1B, Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials

Other data:   Keep in a dry place. No decomposition if stored and applied as directed.

Transport information

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shipping

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

8.1 Control parameters

8.2 Personal Protection

Engineering measures:

Handle only in a place equipped with local exhaust (or other appropriate exhaust).

Personal protective equipment:

Eye protection:   Safety glasses with side-shields or goggles.

Hand protection:

• material:  Nitrile rubber


• Break through time:   > 30 min


• Glove thickness:  0,40 mm

Skin and body protection:  Footwear protecting against chemicals.

Respiratory protection:   

In the case of dust or aerosol formation use respirator with an approved filter. When workers are facing concentrations above the exposure limit they must use appropriate certified respirators.

Stability and reactivity

10.1 Reactivity

Under the action of acids (as well as carbon dioxide !) hydrocyanic acid is released which is combustible and may react with air to explosive gas mixtures.

10.2 Chemical stability

No decomposition if stored and applied as directed.

10.3 Possibility of hazardous reactions

Hazardous reactions:       No decomposition if stored and applied as directed.

10.4 Conditions to avoid

Conditions to avoid:       Avoid contact with combustible material (paper, wool, oil).

10.5 Incompatible materials

Materials to avoid:       Acids, Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Disposal considerations

13.1 Waste treatment methods

Product:       

The product should not be allowed to enter drains, water courses or the soil. Dispose of in accordance with the European Directives on waste and hazardous waste. In accordance with local and national regulations. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with chemical or used containers.

According to the European Waste Catalogue, Waste Codes are not product specific, but application specific. Waste codes should be assigned by the user, preferably in discussion with the waste disposal authorities.

Send to a licensed waste management company.

Contaminated packaging: Empty remaining contents. Dispose of as unused product. Do not re-use empty containers.