Chemical Properties
Calcium cyanide is a white crystalline solid or
powder. Odor of hydrogen cyanide.
Uses
Fumigant; rodenticide; in stainless-steel manufacture; in leaching ores of precious metals; stabilizer for cement.
General Description
White crystals or powder or gray-black powder (technical grade). Toxic by skin absorption through open wounds, by ingestion, and by inhalation.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble with evolution of some hydrogen cyanide, a flammable poison gas. Release of gas is much more rapid if acid is present.
Reactivity Profile
CALCIUM CYANIDE gives weakly acidic solutions. Contact with acids causes rapid evolution of hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with isocyanates, nitrides, and peroxides. May react rapidly with oxidizing agents.
Health Hazard
Inhalation or ingestion causes headache, nausea, vomiting and weakness; high concentrations are rapidly fatal.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Decomposes in fire to give very toxic gases, including hydrogen cyanide.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption.
Potential Exposure
Calcium cyanide is used as a fumigant; as a rodenticide; in leaching precious metal ores; in
the manufacture of stainless steel; and as a stabilizer forcement. Used as raw material for production of nitrogenous
compounds and in treatment of alcoholism
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Do
not allow water to enter nose or mouth. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove
contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and
water. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from
exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped
and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a
medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed,
get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and
induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person
vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to
48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema
may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor
or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug
or other inhalation therapy. Use amyl nitrate capsules if
symptoms of cyanide poisoning develop. All area employees should be trained regularly in emergency measures for
cyanide poisoning and in CPR. A cyanide antidote kit
should be kept in the immediate work area and must be
rapidly available. Kit ingredients should be replaced every
12 years to ensure freshness. Persons trained in the use of
this kit; oxygen use, and CPR, must be quickly available
Shipping
UN1575 Calcium cyanide, Hazard Class: 6.1;
Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials
Incompatibilities
Contact with water, acids, acidic salts;
moist air, or carbon dioxide, forms highly toxic and flammable
hydrogen cyanide. Incompatible with fluorine, magnesium.
Reacts violently when heated with nitrites, nitrates, chlorates,
and perchlorates. Calcium cyanide decomposes in high heat
forming hydrogen cyanide and nitrous oxides fumes
Waste Disposal
Add cyanide waste to strong
alkaline sodium hypochlorite. Let stand 24 hours then flush
to sewage plant.
Production Methods
Calcium cyanide is made commercially from lime, calcium
oxide, coke, and nitrogen. The reactions are carried out in an
electric furnace. The resulting melt is cooled rapidly to
prevent reversion to calcium cyanamide. The product is
marketed in the form of flakes, which are dark gray because
of the presence of carbon. The extraction or cyanidation of
precious-metal ores was the first and is still the largest use for
calcium cyanide.
storage
Calcium cyanide is stored in tight containers free from moisture. Proper ventilation and protective equipment should be used while handling the solid or while preparing an aqueous solution. It is shipped in mild-steel or fiber drums.
