Type of SOP: Process Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Class

Standard Operating Procedure Sodium Cyanide

Print a copy and insert into your Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan. Refer to instructions for assistance.

Department: Chemistry

Date SOP was written: 11/14/2012

Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor: 1/13/2013

Principal Investigator: Richmond Sarpong

Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: Rebecca Murphy

Lab Phone: 510-643-2485

Office Phone: 510-643-6312

Emergency Contact: Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407 (Name and Phone Number) Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849, Location(s) covered by this SOP: 907 (Building/Room Number)

Type of SOP: ☐ Process ☒Hazardous Chemical ☐ Hazardous Class

Sodium Cyanide 1 Date: 01/08/2013 Purpose

Sodium cyanide is an acute and chronic toxin.

Contains cyanide which is very poisonous. Very harmful or fatal if inhaled, swallowed or in contact with the skin or eyes. Can also be fatal if inhaled or ingested. It presents toxicity by skin absorption through open wounds and by inhalation of dust. This substance inhibits cellular respiration, which leads to anoxia. Blue discoloration or the skin (Cyanosis) tends to be associated with severe cyanide poisoning, but can cause deceptively healthy pink to red skin color.

Sodium cyanide has applications in gold mining and has a high affinity for metals.

Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group

CAS#: 143-33-9

Class: Toxic

Molecular Formula: NaCN

Form (physical state): Powder

Color: White

Boiling point: 1,496oC

Potential Hazards/Toxicity

Sodium cyanide has a threshold limit value - time weighted average (TWA) of 5 mg/m3 (As CN).

Risks of cyanide exposure: Causes irritation to the eye. Contact with skin causes irritation and burns, and concentrated HCN vapor can be absorbed through skin. Can be fatal if swallowed and cause tissue anoxia, characterized by weakness, headache, dizziness, confusion, cyanosis (bluish skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), weak and irregular heart beat, collapse, unconsciousness, convulsions, coma and death. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system effects and can be fatal Prolonged/repeated contact may cause skin necrosis and ulceration of the skin. Cyanide acts by inhibiting cytochrome oxidase impairing cellular respiration. Chronic exposure to cyanide solutions may lead to "cyanide" rash with itching and vesicular eruptions with secondary infection. Small amounts of cyanide over long periods of time causes loss of appetite, headache, weakness, and respiratory irritation.

Sodium cyanide has the following oral toxicities:

Oral, rat: LD50 = 6440 ug/kg;

Oral, rat: LD50 = 4.7 mg/kg;

Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 10400 ug/kg;

Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 300 mg/kg

Sodium Cyanide 2 Date: 01/08/2013 Engineering Controls

 Handle using a chemical fume hood with good ventilation and electrically grounded lines and equipment.  Use containment devices (such as lab fume hoods or glove boxes) when: (i) volatilizing this substance, (ii) manipulating substance that may generate aerosols, and (iii) performing laboratory procedures that may result in uncontrolled release of the substance.  Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, carbon filters, or scrubber systems with containment devices to protect effluent and vacuum lines, pumps, and the environment whenever feasible. There must be regularly scheduled inspection of such filters to insure their continued effectiveness.  Use ventilated containment to weigh out solid chemical. Alternatively, the tare method can be used to prevent inhalation of the chemical. While working in a laboratory hood, the chemical is added to a pre-weighed container. The container is then sealed and can be re-weighed outside of the hood. If chemical needs to be added or removed, this manipulation is carried out in the hood. In this manner, all open chemical handling is conducted in the laboratory hood.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in Lab Specific Instructions. Respiratory protection

NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.

Refer to 8 CCR 5144 for selection of respirators. A respiratory protection program that meets 8 CCR 5144 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant use of a respirator.

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).  When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded.  Regulations require the use of a respirator.  An employer requires the use of a respirator.  There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)  As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process

Hand Protection

Handle with nitrile gloves. For extended or heavy use, recommend double-gloving using nitrile. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique

Sodium Cyanide 3 Date: 01/08/2013 (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands. For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove- selection-and-usage.html

Immersion protection Material: Nitrile rubber Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm Break through time: > 480 min Material tested:Dermatril® (Aldrich Z677272, Size M) Splash protection Material: Nitrile rubber

Sodium Cyanide 4 Date: 01/08/2013 Eye Protection

Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI Z87.1.

Skin and Body Protection

Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and flame resistant (where appropriate) lab coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.

Additional PPE may be required if procedures or processes present additional risk. It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that any additional PPE requirements are identified and communicated to research staff.

Storage Use unbreakable secondary containment for the storage of acutely toxic chemicals. If the materials are volatile (or could react with moisture or air to form volatile toxic compounds), containers should be in a ventilated storage area. All containers of acutely toxic chemicals should be clearly labeled with chemical composition, known hazards, and warnings for handling.

Chemicals that can combine to make toxic materials (e.g., acids and inorganic cyanides, which can generate hydrogen cyanide) should not be stored in the same secondary containment. Chemicals that have a limited shelf life need to be tracked and monitored. Chemicals that require refrigeration should be stored appropriately.

Spill Response and Exposure Response

Before beginning work with chemicals, review the relevant SOPs, Safety Data Sheets, and other chemical safety resources. Develop specific procedures for emergency response and chemical exposure or injury to staff, including any special first aid measures required for the relevant chemicals.

Sodium Cyanide 5 Date: 01/08/2013 Spill and Accident Procedure

Note: These responses may not apply to all acutely toxic chemicals. Please review specific chemical SOPs and SDSs for specific response to spills and accidents. Always dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.

Chemical Spill Dial 911

Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area. Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.). Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeballs and inner surfaces of eyelids with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.

Medical Emergency Dial 911

Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.

Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.

Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:

Sodium Cyanide 6 Date: 01/08/2013 Label Waste

 Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new- hazardous-waste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “ H azardous W a s te Management ” for general instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.

Dispose of Waste

 Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within six (6) months.  Call EH&S for questions

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location

SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com

Sodium Cyanide 7 Date: 01/08/2013 Protocol/Procedure for Sodium Cyanide

CAS#: 143-33-9

Chemical Storage Keep container closed when not in use.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances.

Do not store near water or acids.

Sodium cyanide is incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, and carbon dioxide.

Preparation Eliminate incompatible materials from potential spill area.

Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.

Never work alone. Make sure there is another worker present who is also trained in the sodium cyanide SOP.

Chemical Collect sodium cyanide waste in labeled 1 gal. plastic containers. Disposal Do not mix with other waste or incompatibles.

Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated location.

Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags.

Call EH&S for questions

Sodium Cyanide 8 Date: 01/08/2013 Procedure/Use Scale Engineering PPE (eye, face, gloves, Procedure Steps and Precautions Controls/Equipment clothing) 1. Use of sodium Up to 20 g of All work using sodium Eye protection: Wear tight- Eliminate incompatible materials cyanide in an sodium cyanide must be fitting safety goggles or safety from the spill area. experiment. cyanide performed in a glasses with side shields. ventilated fume hood. Handle sodium cyanide powder Face protection: Wear a face carefully to prevent exposure to skin. shield when not protected by a lab hood sash. Use a spatula to dispense the solid into a weigh boat or onto weigh Gloves: Wear nitrile gloves paper on a balance. When when using sodium cyanide – measuring is complete, add the solid double nitrile gloves to the reaction flask and seal with a recommended for heavy or flask-appropriate covering. extended use. Remove and dispose of gloves when Clean up any powder that may have finished. spilled and discard everything according to the chemical disposal Clothing: Wear lab coat, full- procedure. length pants or equivalent; and close-toed closed heeled shoes. Notes Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.

Sodium Cyanide 9 Date: 01/08/2013 Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)

 Prior to conducting any work with Sodium Cyanide, designated personnel must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific chemical(s) used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

 The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

I have read and understand the content of this SOP:

Name Signature Initials Identification Date

Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a

Sodium Cyanide 10 Date: 01/08/2013 date.

Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date. Click here to enter text. Click here to enter a date.

Sodium Cyanide 11 Date: 01/08/2013