Which statement about MIC is true?

Which statement about MIC is true?

• A. MIC is water-reactive
• B. MIC is not water-reactive
• C. MIC reacts with water to form nonhazardous products
• D. MIC is inert in water

Answer: (A)

Methyl isocyanate (MIC) reacts with water readily. When MIC comes into contact with moisture, it hydrolyzes quickly to methylamine and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. This rapid, moisture-driven reaction and the formation of a hazardous product (methylamine) show why MIC is considered water-reactive. It isn’t accurate to say it’s not water-reactive or inert in water, since even small amounts of water trigger the reaction. It also isn’t correct to claim the reaction produces nonhazardous products, because methylamine is hazardous and the reaction is exothermic. So, the statement that MIC is water-reactive is the true one.

Methyl isocyanate (MIC) reacts with water readily. When MIC comes into contact with moisture, it hydrolyzes quickly to methylamine and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. This rapid, moisture-driven reaction and the formation of a hazardous product (methylamine) show why MIC is considered water-reactive. It isn’t accurate to say it’s not water-reactive or inert in water, since even small amounts of water trigger the reaction. It also isn’t correct to claim the reaction produces nonhazardous products, because methylamine is hazardous and the reaction is exothermic. So, the statement that MIC is water-reactive is the true one.