Chemical Forums

Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: Cryptic_bore on October 26, 2020, 11:29:38 PM

Title: Is this reaction safe on skin
Post by: Cryptic_bore on October 26, 2020, 11:29:38 PM

For amateur drama/film i saw this reaction using Thiocyanate (KSCN) & Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3) for fake blood
CONTENT WARNING FAKE BLOOD and FAKE HARM IN VIDEO LINKED
https://youtu.be/WHkoXojcJiE

Is it safe to do this on skin or latex?
Both are skin irritants what does that mean? is it safe to do on myself if im ok with my skin being irritated for a bit
Both are dangerous if absorbed through the skin? less likely watered down? ways to stop that?
Im not in highschool just working on a silly project for myself and dont want to do anything dumb.
What does the reaction create chemically?
Where can i look up reactions and safty? so i dont have to ask dumb questions here
How do i read the safety data sheets/ Am i missing anything?

Potassium Thiocyanate: https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/19640.htm
Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3): https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/09740.htm

The video waters down but no measurements are given etc.
I found watered down mixture safety sheets
Potassium Thiocyanate the it was >99% water which the video clearly didn't do https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/88045.htm
Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl3) 60 water 40%
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/09756.htm

Title: Re: Is this reaction safe on skin
Post by: Borek on October 27, 2020, 06:52:27 PM

There is a series of iron thiocyanate complexes. When diluted (that means they are still well visible, they have very intense color) they are reasonably safe, although I would expect the iron chloride solution to be skin irritating (note that such reactions can be quite individual, what gives rush to one person can be completely neutral for someone else).

As to finding the best concentration - chemistry is an experimental science ;)

Title: Re: Is this reaction safe on skin
Post by: Cryptic_bore on October 28, 2020, 02:05:39 AM

Quote from: Borek on October 27, 2020, 06:52:27 PM

There is a series of iron thiocyanate complexes. When diluted (that means they are still well visible, they have very intense color) they are reasonably safe, although I would expect the iron chloride solution to be skin irritating (note that such reactions can be quite individual, what gives rush to one person can be completely neutral for someone else).

As to finding the best concentration - chemistry is an experimental science ;)

So i should be good to go? i got worried by some of the safety data about absorption through skin. Any precautions to take as a complete novice?

Title: Re: Is this reaction safe on skin
Post by: Borek on October 28, 2020, 03:41:20 AM

Plenty of disclaimers here, but in general - personally I would be not afraid of trying, just starting with low concentrations and going up to see which ones work best.