TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL AGENT CASUALTIES NOR NAVSURNLANT SHIPS

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                                           HYDROCYANIC ACID

                                                   Poison A or B

 GENERAL INFORMATION                           RQ 10 Lb/4.54 Kg
   Hydrocyanic acid is a colorless gas (hydrogen cyanide) that is shipped as a pure liquid under pressure or may be dissolved
 in water to form aqueous solutions of various strengths. This guide is primarily intended for the pure liquefied gas.
 Although hazards of aqueous solutions are usually less severe and physical properties may differ, much information here is
 generally applicable to such solutions if properly interpreted. Pure hydrocyanic acid is fully soluble in water, has a sweetish
 odor like almonds, a boiling point of 78.30F, and-a flash point of 00F. The pure liquid may boil at high ambient temberatures
 or otherwise rapidly evaporate, thus producing large amounts of highly toxic and flammable vapors which may travel a
 considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Accumulations of vapor in confined spaces may explode if
 ignited. Containers may rupture violently if exposed to fire or excessive heat (see below also). The liquid weighs about 5.7
 pounds per gallon.
   Hydrocyanic acid dissolves in water with a moderate reaction and may become unstable if stored for extended time or
 exposed to high temperature and pressure. It is incompatible with alkalis and may attack some forms of plastics, rubber,
 and coatings, but is considered noncorrosive to most metals. It is a highly toxic substance by all routes of exposure,
 including absorption through the skin, and is considered a poison. Products of combustion are toxic and may include
 unburned cyanides and nitrogen oxides. However, if the material is on fire do not extinguish the fire. The combustion
 products pose   less air pollution hazard than the unburned chemical.
   If on fire, do not extinguish unless flow can be stopped. If liquid Hydrocyanic Acid or its aqueous solution (classed as
 poison A by USDOT) are leaking or are involved in a fire, evacuate for a radius of 2500 feet. If aqueous solutions of
 hydrocyanic acid (classed as poison B by USDOT) are leaking, downwind evacuation should be considered until properly
 equipped responders have evaluated the hazard.
 CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL DATA
 Solubility in Waten Soluble in all proportions                   Burning Rate: 1.8 mm/minute
 Solubility in Other Chemicals: Soluble in alcohol                Stability: May become unstable and subject to explosion
 Specific Gravity (Liquid): 0.689 at 68CF (200C)                    if stored for extended time or exposed to high
 Boiling Point: 78.30F (25.70C) at 1 atm.                           temperature and pressure.
 Melting Point: See freezing point                                Corrosiveness: Noncorrosive to most metals; may attack
 Freezing Point: 8.10F (- 13.30C)                                   some plastics, rubber, or coatings.
 Molecular Weight: 27.03                                          Reactivity with Water: Dissolves with moderate
 Heat of Combustion: -5864 callg                                    reaction
 Vapor Pressure: 620 mm Hg (11.98 psia) at 680F (200C)            Reactivity with Other Chemicals: Reacts with alkalis
 Flash Point: 00F (- 17.80C), closed cup                            and bases such as caustics and amines (may
 Autoignition Temperature: 10040F (5400C)                           polymerize), acetaldehyde, and oxidizers.
 IDENTIFICATION
 Shipping Names: Hydrocyanic acid, liquefied (USDOT);             IMO Designation: 2.3 (pure), poison gas; 6.1(20% or less
   hydrocyanic acid solution (USDOT); hydrocyanic acid              in solution or absorbed in solid), poisonous substance.-
   solution, less than 5% hydrocyanic acid (USDOT);               Physical State as Shipped: Liquid
   hydrogen cyanide, anhydrous, stabilized (IMO);                 Physical State as Released: Liquid or gas (boils at
   hydrocyanic acid, aqueous solutions (IMO).                       78.30F)
 Synonyms and Tradenames: Hydrogen cyanide, prussic               Color of the Shipped Material: Colorless to bluish
   acid, HCN, acid liquid HCN, carbon hydride nitride,              white
   cyclon, formic anammonide, formonitrile, anhydrous             Odor Characteristics: Sweetish, like bitter almonds, but
   hydrocyanic acid.                                                some people may not smell odor.
 Chemical Formula: HCN                                            Common Uses: Fumigation; mfg. plastics, dyes,
 Constituent Components(% each): 96% pure with                      pharmaceuticals, insecticides, redenticide, and other
   0.05% phosphoric acid as stabilizer; may also be                 chemicals; used in electroplating, mining, and
   aqueous solution.                  .                             metallurgy.
 49 STCC: 49 201 25; 49 201 30; 49 214 17
 UNINA Designation: NA1051 (USDOT); UN1051 (IMO);
   UN1613 (USDOT, IMO, (solutions)); UN1614 (IMO,
   (absorbed in solid).)

)`Reoortable quanuty (RQ) subject to change~refer to current EPA regulations.


 FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE OR INFORMATION CALL:
 CHEMTREC (800)424-9300 OR (202)483-7616 OR
 THE AAR BUREAU OF EXPLOSIVES (202)835-9500