© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Name: Potassium Cyanide
Chemical Formula: KCN
Appearance: White, granular or crystalline solid with an almond-like odor
Common Uses: Gold mining, chemical synthesis, electroplating, laboratory applications
Smell: Faint bitter almond scent noticeable only to some people due to genetic factors
CAS Number: 151-50-8
Main Hazards: Extremely toxic by all routes of exposure—can be deadly within minutes if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin
Health Effects: Inhibits cellular respiration, causes rapid respiratory failure, convulsions, and cardiac arrest
Warning Signs: Potential for rapid loss of consciousness; skin exposure often leaves no visible injury until effects occur internally
Flammable: Does not readily catch fire, but contact with acid releases highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas
Environmental Impact: Highly poisonous to fish and aquatic life, long-lasting in water if not treated
Component: Potassium Cyanide
Chemical Purity: Commonly greater than 95 percent pure in industrial settings
Inert Additives: Commercial grades may contain trace impurities but typically do not contain stabilizers or buffers due to reactive nature
Inhalation: Immediate evacuation to fresh air, start artificial respiration if not breathing, administer oxygen if trained, and seek emergency medical help without delay
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin under running water for at least 15 minutes, do not delay more advanced medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids apart, always see a physician afterward
Ingestion: Seek emergency care straight away, activated charcoal may reduce absorption in hospital settings, do not induce vomiting
Extinguishing Methods: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam; avoid water to prevent spread of contamination
Risks: May generate toxic hydrogen cyanide gas in a fire, particularly if acids are present
Protective Gear: Self-contained breathing apparatus and fully protective clothing required for responders
Firefighting Notes: Stay upwind, isolate area, keep unnecessary people away
Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, face shield, and chemical suit
Evacuation: Remove unprotected persons, restrict entry until area is decontaminated
Cleanup: Scoop solids carefully with non-sparking tools, avoid raising dust, ventilate area
Containment Strategies: Use barriers to prevent runoff to drains or water bodies
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers, stored in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from acids, water, or moisture
Handling Precautions: Never handle without proper PPE, avoid breathing dust, and avoid contact with skin or eyes
Segregation: Store away from incompatible materials such as acids, oxidizing agents, and moisture sources
Labeling: Clear hazard labels are vital for all containers
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, well-sealed transfer systems, air monitoring for cyanide gas
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves such as Viton or butyl rubber, full face shield, splash-proof goggles, impervious chemical suit
Respiratory Protection: Use approved respirator when dust, mist, or fumes may be generated
Hygiene: Wash thoroughly after handling, avoid eating or drinking in work areas, shower and change clothes after exposure
Physical State: Solid
Appearance: White, granular or crystalline
Odor: May smell faintly of bitter almonds, though most people cannot detect this
Melting Point: Around 634°C
Solubility: Soluble in water, producing a clear solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
pH in Solution: Strongly alkaline
Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, room temperature conditions and sealed packaging
Reactive With: Acids (releases hydrogen cyanide gas), moisture, oxidizers
Decomposition: Breaks down to potassium carbonate, ammonia, and volatile cyanide compounds when heated in air
Hazardous Reactions: Mixing with strong acids or some metal salts can rapidly release cyanide gas
Acute Toxicity: Lethal in small doses—average fatal dose for humans falls in the range of 200-300 mg when ingested
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption
Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, difficulty breathing, seizures, heart failure; rapid collapse possible
Chronic Exposure: Serious and often irreversible neurological and organ effects for survivors of non-fatal exposure
Carcinogenicity: No clear evidence for cancer risk, but chronic poisoning damages nerves and thyroid
Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates
Persistence: Can linger in water and soil if not neutralized
Bioaccumulation: Not a typical risk, but acute exposure leads to rapid ecosystem effects
Environmental Fate: Breaks down slowly unless treated with oxidizers or alkaline chlorination
Method: Treat through specialized hazardous waste incineration or chemical neutralization in permitted facilities
Precautions: Never flush to sewers or dispose of with general refuse
Decontamination: Standard methods depend on careful chemical destruction using bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions
Shipping Class: Hazard Class 6.1 (poisonous material)
Packing Requirements: Use rigid, sealed, labeled containers, avoid contact with acids and moisture sources
Labeling: International transport mandates prominent poison labels
Accidental Spills: Emergency responders must suit up in full chemical protection and isolate area quickly during transit incidents
Restrictions: Subject to strict controls in nearly all industrial and laboratory settings
Occupational Exposure Limits: Vary by country; most set time-weighted limits around 5 mg/m³ for cyanide compounds
Environmental Regulations: Release into water, air, or soil faces legal penalties due to extreme hazard
Workplace Requirements: Workers require thorough cyanide safety training; spill kits, emergency antidotes, and medical supervision are often required by law
