Section 1: Product Identification
Chemical Name: Potassium hydrogen sulfide, anhydrous, min. 95%
CAS Registry Number: 1310-61-8
Formula: HKS
EINECS Number: 215-182-9
Chemical Family: metal chalcogenides
Synonym: potassium bisulfide, potassium mercaptan
Section 2: Composition and Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS Number Percent ACGIH (TWA) OSHA (PEL)
Title compound 1310-61-8 100% no data no data
Section 3: Hazards Identification
May form highly toxic and flammable hydrogen sulfide gas on exposure to acids or stomach fluids. Corrosive
Emergency Overview:
to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Primary Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin, eyes
Eye Contact: Dust causes burns to the eyes.
Contact with skin can produce serious caustic burns with painful inflammation and possible destruction of
Skin Contact:
tissue.
Inhalation of dust can lead to chemical burns to the respiratory tract. Hydrogen sulfide, if formed, is poisonous.
Inhalation:
Ingestion: Gastric juices causes release of toxic hydrogen sulfide.
Hydrogen sulfide gas may cause painful conjunctivitis, headache, nausea, dizziness, pulmonary edema and
Acute Health Affects:
possible death. Corrosive to skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Chronic Health Affects: No information available on long-term chronic effects
NTP: No
IARC: No
OSHA: No
SECTION 4: First Aid Measures
Immediately flush the eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 10-15 minutes. A victim may need
Eye Exposure:
assistance in keeping their eye lids open. Get immediate medical attention.
Wash the affected area with water. Remove contaminated clothes if necessary. Seek medical assistance if
Skin Exposure:
irritation persists.
Remove the victim to fresh air. Closely monitor the victim for signs of respiratory problems, such as difficulty
Inhalation:
in breathing, coughing, wheezing, or pain. In such cases seek immediate medical assistance.
Seek medical attention immediately. Keep the victim calm. Give the victim water (only if conscious). Induce
Ingestion:
vomiting only if directed by medical personnel.
SECTION 5: Fire Fighting Measures
Flash Point: not applicable
Autoignition Temperature: no data
Explosion Limits: no data
Extinguishing Medium: carbon dioxide or dry powder
If this product is involved in a fire, fire fighters should be equipped with a NIOSH approved positive pressure
Special Fire Fighting Procedures:
self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.
Hazardous Combustion and If involved in a fire, this material may emit irritating fumes of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide.
Decomposion Products:
Dust may form explosive mixtures with air. Contact with acids gives off hydrogen sulfide; a toxic and
Unusual Fire or Explosion Hazards:
flammable gas.
SECTION 6: Accidental Release Measures
In the case of a spill, the fine powder should be covered with dry sodium carbonate or dolomite in order to
Spill and Leak Procedures:
reduce the formation of dust. Sweep up the mixture.
SECTION 7: Handling and Storage
Store in a tightly sealed container. Exposure to the atmosphere may lead to release of toxic hydrogen sulfide
Handling and Storage:
gas. Empty containers may retain product residues that evolve toxic gases.
SECTION 8: Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses and face shield or goggles when handling this chemical substance in the laboratory.
Skin Protection: Wear appropriate chemical resistant rubber gloves and protective clothing.
Ventilation: Handle the material in an efficient fume hood.
If ventilation is not available a respirator should be worn. The use of respirators requires a Respirator
Respirator:
Protection Program to be in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.134.
Ventilation: Handle the material in an efficient fume hood.
Additional Protection: No additional protection required.
SECTION 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
Color and Form: white to off-white pwdr.
Molecular Weight: 72.18
Melting Point: no data
Boiling Point: no data
Vapor Pressure: no data
Specific Gravity: no data
Odor: odor of rotten eggs
Solubility in Water: very soluble
SECTION 10: Stability and Reactivity
Stability: slow decomposition in air, hygroscopic
Hazardous Polymerization: no hazardous polymerization
contact with air, and mineral acids. Reaction with mineral acids can lead to formation of toxic hydrogen sulfide
Conditions to Avoid:
fumes.
Incompatibility: oxidizing agents, mineral acids, halogens and carbon
Decomposition Products: hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, potassium sulfate, and potassium hydroxide
SECTION 11: Toxicological Information
RTECS Data: No information available in the RTECS files
Carcinogenic Effects: no data
Mutagenic Effects: no data
Tetratogenic Effects: no data
SECTION 12: Ecological Information
Ecological Information: No information available
SECTION 13: Disposal Considerations
Disposal: Dispose of according to local, state and federal regulations
SECTION 14: Transportation
Shipping Name (CFR): Self-heating solid, Inorganic, N.O.S.
Hazard Class (CFR): 4.2
Additional Hazard Class (CFR): NA
Packaging Group (CFR): II
UN ID Number (CFR): UN# 3190
Shipping Name (IATA): Self-heating solid, Inorganic, N.O.S.
Hazard Class (IATA): 4.2
Additional Hazard Class (IATA): NA
Packaging Group (IATA): II
UN ID Number (IATA): UN# 3190
SECTION 15: Regulatory Information
TSCA: Listed in the TSCA inventory
SARA (Title 313): Title compound not listed
Second Ingredient: none
SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
