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Chemical Name: Potassium hydride
Synonyms: Hydrure de potassium, potassium monohydride
Chemical Formula: KH
Appearance: A gray to white solid with a soap-like texture, which commonly shows as a powder or small lumps
Uses: Strong base and reducing agent in chemical synthesis, most often found in laboratories and some industries
Hazard Class: Water-reactive, flammable, corrosive, severe health risk
Main Dangers: Reacts violently with water and moisture, producing potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, which can ignite or explode
Health Effects: Serious burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, violent reactions on contact with even tiny amounts of water or sweat, can cause permanent tissue damage
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning, coughing, shortness of breath, skin and eye redness or blistering, delayed effects if inhaled or swallowed
Main Component: Potassium hydride (KH) typically above 95% by weight
Impurities: Small traces of unreacted potassium metal or potassium hydroxide possible, which can intensify hazards
Form: Often dispersed in mineral oil to lower its risk level during shipping and handling, but dangers remain high
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, brush off loose particles gently, flush skin immediately with copious running water, seek urgent medical help
Eye Contact: Rinse with water continuously for 15 minutes, keep eyes wide open while rinsing, get professional medical attention without delay
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air at once, provide oxygen if they struggle to breathe, get medical assistance right away
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, do not attempt to neutralize with liquids, seek emergency care promptly
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use powdered graphite, dry sodium chloride, or Class D fire extinguishers designed for alkali metal fires
Unsuitable Options: Water, foam, carbon dioxide, or halons drastically worsen the situation and can cause explosions
Specific Hazards: Releases hydrogen gas in heat or moisture, extremely flammable—fire spreads rapidly and can flash back
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need full face shields, chemical-resistant boots and gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus
Evacuation: Remove all people not involved in the cleanup, restrict the area to trained personnel
Spill Response: Cover spillage with dry mineral oil to slow down reactivity, scoop up with non-sparking tools, place in dry, air-tight containers
Ventilation: Keep open air flow in the area, prevent accumulation of released hydrogen gas
Avoid: Water or damp cleaning methods—these only escalate the hazard
Handling: Use only in explosion-proof fume hoods, wear protective gear at all times, open containers carefully and away from sources of ignition
Storage: Keep in tightly closed containers under inert atmosphere (like argon), store in cool, dry, well-ventilated rooms away from moisture, acids, oxidizers
Do Not: Store near sources of water, any oxidizing agents, or in rooms lacking temperature and humidity control
Engineering Controls: Use with laboratory-grade fume hoods, explosion-proof ventilation systems, spark-proof equipment
Personal Protective Equipment: Lab coat, flame-resistant long sleeves, heavy-duty gloves (like nitrile over cotton), safety goggles or face shields, and chemical splash boots
Respiratory Protection: Use respirators certified for alkali metal exposure if powder or fumes become airborne and ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene: Wash hands and skin thoroughly after any possible contact, never touch face or other body parts before washing up
Form: White or grayish lumps or powder
Odor: Odorless under safe storage
Melting Point: Roughly 350°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before reaching boiling point
Solubility in Water: Reacts explosively, does not dissolve
Density: About 1.45 g/cm³
Notable Features: Highly reactive, stores a large amount of energy, spontaneous ignition possible
Stability Under Recommended Storage: Stable only under strict exclusion of water and air
Incompatibilities: Water, alcohols, acids, oxidizers, halogenated solvents, many plastics, and atmospheric moisture
Reactivity Hazards: Explosive or fiery reaction even with minor contact with water-derived vapor or damp surfaces
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen gas, potassium hydroxide, both hazardous
Main Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation
Symptoms: Severe caustic burns, permanent tissue injury, respiratory distress from inhalation of dust or vapor, scarring possible after significant exposure
Chronic Effects: No long-term exposure data for humans, but persistent tissue or respiratory system damage likely after incidents
Persistence: Reacts rapidly with environmental moisture, forming highly caustic potassium hydroxide
Aquatic Impact: Kills aquatic life due to extreme pH changes, persistent, hard to neutralize once released
Soil Impact: Alters soil chemistry, hinders plant growth, and causes chemical burns to roots and soil organisms
Disposal Method: Must be neutralized in controlled conditions by professionals, by slow addition under inert solvents or oil with careful quenching
Disposal Sites: Approved hazardous waste facilities, never landfill or down the drain
Legal Requirements: Needs compliance with local, state, and national hazardous waste disposal laws
Transport Classification: Classified as dangerous goods by road, air, and sea
Packing: Only in containers designed for reactive materials, often submerged in oil, free of water vapor
Labeling: Requires clear hazard warning labels highlighting corrosivity, explosiveness on water contact, and flammability
Shipping Precautions: Kept separate from water-based, acidic, or oxidizing freight, quick access to spill kits during transportation
Hazard Listings: Strictly regulated as a hazardous substance in most industrialized countries
Compliance Duties: Facilities storing or using potassium hydride must follow stringent reporting and safety training protocols, maintain spill response plans
Worker Rights: Employees must be informed about the chemical’s hazards, have access to protective equipment, and receive emergency response training
