From: Arvedson, SteveSubject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Baylor University evacuates science building after cyanide spill Date: October 14, 2009 8:27:13 PM EDT It appears that this situation was created by an incomplete understanding of the meaning of the term =93cyanide=94 in this context. If they had called in an isovaleronitrile spill instead (same material, different name), they probably could have just cleared the room and cleaned up the spill wearing the appropriate respirator and other PPE. The material has an NFPA health rating of 2, a boiling point of 128 degrees C and an oral LD50 in mouse of 233 mg/kg. Did anybody on staff at Baylor pull up the MSDS and try to work with the emergency responders to ease their concerns? This is a good reminder that all chemical-using institutions, whether academic or industrial, should be trying to work with their local responders to establish two- way communication, so that the appropriate level of response can be applied to each incident. Steve
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