Hydrogen Cyanide – HCN

This page hydrogen cyanide or hydrocyanic acid Provides information about: properties, health effects, detection devices and systems – hydrogen cyanide detector  – and respiratory protective equipment (gas mask or B with gas filter PAPR ).

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) properties

Hydrogen cyanide ( HCN ) - Moreover hydrocyanic acid or formonitrile Also called – is a chemical compound that can exist in liquid or gaseous form. Widely used as an insecticide, it is also applied for fumigation applications in the chemical industry. It can be produced accidentally during chemical reactions between cyanide and an acid or through fire and combustion of nitriles.

  • CAS
  • 74-90-8
  • TWA (8 hours)
  • 0,9 ppm
  • STEL (15 minutes)
  • 4,5 ppm
  • LEL
  • %5,6
  • IP
  • 13.6 eV
  • DENSITY/AIR
  • 0,94
  • FILTER/AIR
  • B

Health effects of hydrogen cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which has a color ranging from colorless to pale blue. with the scent of bitter almonds can be easily detected. This highly toxic gas (T+) has many harmful or fatal properties. This chemical compound has explosive limits between 5.6% and 40%. is extremely flammable (F+).

Hydrogen cyanide detector (HCN)

Despite the bitter almond scent, there is only one hydrogen cyanide detector can accurately measure concentrations of this gas. Even though this gas can explode at 5.6% volume, measuring the %LEL is useless because HCN is highly toxic. A portable or fixed device is used to properly monitor this gaseous substance. hydrogen cyanide detection system should be used.
Hydrogen cyanide calibration gas cylinders are available for calibration and gas testing of your fixed or portable gas detectors.

Hydrogen cyanide respiratory protection (HCN)

Since HCN is highly toxic, it is recommended for short interventions. half mask or full face mask It is recommended to use purifying respiratory protection such as . B filtered a more comfortable motorized air purifying respirator It can also be used for longer periods. If HCN concentrations exceed 60 times the OEL, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required to maintain safety.