General Description
White powder or crystals with a sharp saline taste. Shipped as a solid or an aqueous solution. Strongly irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Toxic by ingestion. Used in insecticides, solder flux and etching glass.
Reactivity Profile
POTASSIUM FLUORIDE(7789-23-3) reacts with acids to evolve corrosive and toxic hydrogen fluoride. Aqueous solutions corrode glass and consequently are prepared and stored in polyethylene containers. The pure solid may be stored in glass containers. Reacts violently with (Pt + BrF3). [NTP 1992].
Air & Water Reactions
Deliquescent. Water soluble.
Hazard
Toxic by ingestion and inhalation, strong
irritant to tissue.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.
Potential Exposure
Potassium fluoride is used in etching
glass; as a preservative and insecticide.
Fire Hazard
Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respira-
tion with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way
valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and
isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact
with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with run-
ning water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact,
avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim
warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that
medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved
and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical obser-
vation is recommended for 24?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.
Shipping
UN1812 Potassium fluoride, solid, Hazard Class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with strong acids; reacts
releasing hydrogen fluoride. Aqueous solutions corrode
glass and consequently are prepared and stored in polyeth-
ylene containers. The pure solid may be stored in glass
containers. Reacts violently with (Pt 1 BrF 3 )
Definition
ChEBI: Potassium fluoride is a fluoride salt having K+ as the counterion. It has a role as a poison. It is a fluoride salt and a potassium salt.
