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                                                             Page 3 of 4

                                              HYDROCYANIC ACID

                SECTION IV    (continued)

                   forms explosive mixtures with air, and will react with water, steam, acid,
                   or acid fumes to produce highly toxic fumes of cyanides. It may decompose
                   explosively upon contact with alkaline material (Sax 1984, p. 1543).

                   NFPA Flammability Rating: 4


                SECTION V - REACTIVITY DATA

                   Stability: Unstable: Yes (*Hawley 1981)
                              Stable:

                       Conditions to Avoid: Hydrocyanic acid solution is sensitive to light
                       (*Hawley 1977). It may become unstable and subject to explosion if
                       stored for an extended time or cx posed to high temperature and pressure
                       (*CHRIS 1978). Avoid heat, flame or oxidizers (Sax 1984, p. 1548).


                   Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): Acetylaldehyde1 alkaline materials,
                   oxidizers, water, steam, acid, and acid fumes (Sax 1984, p. 1548)

                   Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: Toxic cyanide fumes (Sax 1984, p.
                   1548)

       )           Hazardous Polymerization: May Occur:  Yes (*Hawley 1981)
                                            May Not Occur:

                       Conditions to Avoid: Unstabilized hydrocyanic acid may polymerize
                       spontaneously with explosive violence (*Hawley 1981). Can polymerize
                       at 5O-6O0C or when catalyzed with traces of alkali (Sax 1984, p.
{j:                    1548).


                SECTION VI-- USE INFORMATION

1?::               Hydrogen cyanide is used as a rodent poison and as a fumigant (*Rossoff
                   1974). It is a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of acrylates,
                   methacrylates, hexamethylenediamine, nitriles, and other materials (*Patty
                   1963). It is also used in metal polishes, electroplating solutions, and
                   metallurgical and photographic processes (*Gosselin 1976).


                SECTION VII - PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND USE
                (Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled)

                   Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before
                   entering. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Do not touch spilled
                   material; stop leak if you can do it without risk. Shut off ignition;
                   no flares1 smoking, or flames in hazard area. Isolate area until gas
                   dispersed (*DOT 1984)

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