Cyanide, used extensively by the Nazis during World War II in various forms, was a horror for millions of Europeans at the time.
The Truth About Cyanide
What is Cyanide?
Cyanide is used in the jewelry industry for chemical plating or polishing. Occasionally, cyanide is also employed in gold mining to extract gold from ore. Up until the 1970s, this compound was even used in rodenticide.
Cyanide was first discovered in 1704 in Berlin, Germany, during an experiment by German physician Johann Conrad Dippel. He mixed dry blood with potassium and sulfate ions, resulting in a dark blue compound known as “Berlin Blue.”
Cyanide, or potassium cyanide, is the name of a colorless chemical compound with the formula KCN.
In 1782, a Swedish scientist heated the compound with dilute sulfuric acid. He observed the formation of a new acid, hydrocyanic acid (a form of cyanide compound), which is highly soluble in water.
Today, scientists have conducted extensive research and gained deeper insights into the characteristics and properties of cyanide and its compounds, particularly the highly toxic Potassium Cyanide.
Cyanide – The Invisible and Deadly Killer
According to Associate Professor Dr. Tran Hong Con (Department of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University), Cyanide or Potassium Cyanide is a colorless chemical compound with the formula KCN. It has an almond-like odor, resembles sugar in appearance, and is highly soluble in water.
Cyanide has an almond-like odor.
According to the classification in the EU directive 67/548/EEC, it is considered extremely toxic (T+), capable of killing with a low dose. However, being one of the very few substances capable of forming soluble complexes with gold (Au), it is utilized in the jewelry industry for chemical plating or polishing. It is also used in gold mining to separate gold from ore.
As a colorless substance with an almond-like aroma, ingesting just 200 to 250 mg of this highly toxic compound can cause a healthy person to lose consciousness within 30 seconds to 2 minutes. After about an hour, they may slip into a coma and could die within approximately 3 hours if not treated promptly.
As little as 0.15 to 0.2 g of cyanide can be lethal to a healthy individual. Those who consume, drink, or inhale this toxin often exhibit symptoms such as dizziness, headache, vomiting, anxiety, cold extremities, seizures, and coma, ultimately leading to death.
The Mechanism of Cyanide Toxicity
Humans typically become cyanide poisoned through three main routes:
- Ingestion through food and drink.
- Inhalation as hydrogen cyanide can evaporate.
- Lastly, cyanide can also penetrate through the skin.
Like other cyanide compounds, potassium cyanide is toxic by preventing cellular metabolism. It can chemically bond with heme in the blood (such as hemoglobin), preventing cells from obtaining oxygen and leading to cellular destruction.
When poisoned by potassium cyanide, individuals often experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, seizures, and can die immediately if blood potassium cyanide levels exceed 1 mg/l.
It is estimated that a large dose of potassium cyanide can severely damage the brain and heart before causing death. Furthermore, scientists assert that just a 500 g vial of potassium cyanide could be enough to kill 2,500 healthy individuals if accidental exposure occurs.
How to Provide First Aid for Cyanide Poisoning?
According to Wikipedia, in cases of potassium cyanide poisoning, first aid should involve administering oxygen. In workplaces where cyanide is used, first aid kits for poisoning typically include amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, methylene blue, and sodium thiosulfate.
Glucose can significantly slow down the toxic effects of cyanide while protecting cells by forming chemical bonds with potassium cyanide. However, it is essential to remember that glucose cannot detoxify cyanide poisoning.
Associate Professor Dr. Pham Duy (Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital) further emphasizes that when experiencing cyanide poisoning, individuals cannot self-treat and must quickly go to a medical facility for intensive treatment and antidotes. When seeking emergency help, patients should be placed in a safe lateral position (with the lower half lying prone and the face turned to one side) if they are experiencing seizures. Prevent the patient from falling, and do not use hard objects to restrain the mouth of a seizing patient; instead, use soft items like cloths.
