Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
Potassium
Overview
Elemental potassium is an odorless silver metal solid that reacts violently
with water, acids and oxygenated compounds. Potassium can ignite in moist
air or because of friction or static sparks. It is highly corrosive
to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Water and conventional ABC fire
extinguishers can intensify a fire involving potassium and should never be
used. Potassium can form unstable and highly reactive peroxides if stored for extended periods of time.
Emergency Procedures
Skin/Eye Contact: Brush
off any visible solids. Rinse with copious amounts of water
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention as needed. Thoroughly
clean clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
Will react immediately with saliva to cause serious burns and possible local combustion and even explosion of hydrogen in the mouth or esophagus. Do not induce vomiting. Drink 2-3 glasses of water and seek medical
attention immediately.
Inhalation:
Not a likely route of exposure. Move to fresh air immediately. Do not administer mouth to mouth resuscitation. Seek medical attention immediately
Fire: Use
Class D extinguisher such as Met-L-X or smother the fire
with dry sand. Do not use water, carbon dioxide or halogenated
extinguishing agents.
Spill: Control
all sources of ignition. Wearing personal protective equipment,
cover the spill with sand. Scoop spilled materials with spark-resistant
tools and place in a container for disposal. DO NOT USE WATER
or combustible materials, such as saw dust.
Handling
Wear safety glasses, impervious gloves and a fire-retardant laboratory
coat.
Control ignition sources and avoid dust formation. Avoid contact with
water or moisture. Keep a supply of dry sand available in the
work area and ensure there is a Class D extinguisher immediately available.
When large quantities of potassium will be used, work under an
inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon, in a fume hood or glove box. Avoid
contact with water or moisture.
Potassium is incompatible with alcohols, oxidizing
agents, hydrated salts, acids and a wide variety of other materials. Potassium reacts violently
on contact with powerful oxidizers and water.
Do not grind potassium or heat it. Upon contact with water, acids
or alcohols, potassium produces an exothermic reaction involving release
of
flammable hydrogen gas. Oxidized potassium may explode upon handling.
Storage
Keep element under moisture- free toluene, kerosene and/or dry inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool dry place, separate from
combustible materials.
Discard unused portions that will not be needed for extended periods of time (> 1 year)
Disposal
Store wastes in tightly sealed containers under toluene or kerosene. Dispose as hazardous
waste. Potassium metal that has formed the superoxide or peroxide must not be handled. White precipitates are evidence of this condition. Contact James Boehlert (EHS) at 8-7882 immediately.
For More Information
See MSDS for potassium from Fisher Scientific.
 Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
|
