It is an important part of coal, limestone and petroleum, and is capable of self-bonding, chemically, to form an enormous number of chemically, biologically and commercially important molecules. Some of the attractive forces are weak, some are very strong.
All bonds appear to link atoms through a sharing of — or an attempt to share — electrons. For example, water is a compound made of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Its chemical symbol is H 2 O. These compounds have had a number of industrial uses, from pesticides and the extracting of silver and gold from ore, to dyes and the hardening of metals. They also are deadly poisons.
It is a toxic liquid or colorless gas. It can have an almond-like odor. When this compound contacts with the acid in the stomach, hydrogen cyanide is produced, which can then lead to poisoning. Luckily, a significant number of fruit seeds are required to reach a lethal dose of cyanide — the woman mentioned in the study made a full recovery. Perhaps the most well-known use of cyanide as a poison was in the Nazi concentration camps of World War II.
There, the Nazis used Zyklon B, a cyanide-based pesticide which released hydrogen cyanide, to kill millions. Cyanide poisoning is still a not-uncommon occurrence, though the exposure is often accidental. In particular, plastics such as nylon and polyurethanes release cyanide when burnt, so during fires cyanide poisoning can often occur. In , a Russian nightclub fire killed over people, and a number of these deaths were thought to be as a result of the inhalation of cyanide and other toxic gases produced by burning plastics.
As cyanide is such a fast-acting poison, it can be hard to administer any antidote in time if a lethal dose has been ingested. Nitrite compounds are commonly used; these transform haemoglobin into methemoglobin, which cyanide will bind to preferentially instead of the cytochrome oxidase enzyme. However, as methemoglobin does not carry oxygen, it must in turn be treated with methylene blue.
Thiosulfates are commonly administered in combination with nitrites, as they help convert the cyanide to thiocyanate, which can then be eliminated from the body in the urine.
Other compounds that can also be used include cobalt-containing compounds, as cobalt forms a complex with cyanide ions. However, these cobalt compounds also have the disadvantage of being highly toxic themselves.
Vitamin B12a has also been used, which can bind the cyanide to form another harmless form of vitamin B As mentioned, cyanide is fast-acting, and some cases, too fast for administration of an antidote. Treatment should not be delayed if signs and symptoms are present and exposure is believed to have occurred.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Cyanide. Division of Toxicology, U. Department of Health and Human Services. Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Cyanide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Chemical Casualty Care Division.
This fact sheet is based on the most current information. It may be updated as new information becomes available. Navigation menu. What are cyanides? What are the properties of cyanide? How are cyanides used? How can people be exposed to cyanides? How does cyanide act in the body?
What are the specific signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning? What can you do if you think you may have been exposed to a release of cyanide? If you have been exposed to a release of cyanide, take the following steps: Quickly move away from the area where you think you were exposed.
If the release was indoors, go outdoors. If you are near a release of cyanide, emergency coordinators may tell you to either evacuate the area or to "shelter in place. While indoors, shut and lock all doors and windows, turn off air conditioners, fans and heaters, and close fireplace dampers. Quickly remove any clothing that may have cyanide on it. If possible, clothing that is normally removed over the head like t-shirts and sweaters should be cut off the body to prevent additional contact with the agent.
Place your clothing inside a plastic bag and seal the bag tightly. Do not handle the plastic bag, and wait for instructions on proper disposal. Disposing of your clothing in a sealed bag helps protect you and other people from additional exposure.
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