Health – Ren’s Survival Guide: Cyanide

Introduction: This is one of soon to be many mini-guides on the dangers we might face as a world in the coming years. It is meant to educate and enlighten, not to frighten. The best way to face danger is with your eyes wide open and your mind knowledgeable.

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Overview

Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can take on several forms. For example, hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride are colorless gases. sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are crystalline in structure. Some forms have a ‘bitter almond’ smell.

Hydrogen cyanide was used as a genocidal agent in WW2 under the name Zyklon B and may have been used on the Kurds in Halabja back in the 1980s. Cyanide is also present in cigarette smoke and the combustion products of synthetic materials such as plastics. In modern industry Cyanide is used in the manufacturing of paper, textiles and plastics. It’s present in the chemicals used to develop photographs and cyanide salts are used in metallurgy for electroplating, metal cleaning, and removing gold from its ore, among many other uses for the same class of substances.

Suffice it to say that Cyanide in its various forms has been both a boon and a bane to mankind, depending upon its use. Another less on that all things on this Earth are merely tools which reflect their user’s character in application.

Symptoms and Exposure

Symptoms depend on the amount of cyanide exposure, the length of time exposed and the route to which it entered the body. Breathing in cyanide is the most dangerous, though ingestion is also hazardous.

Cyanide harms by not allowing the cells to get oxygen and thus die without it. As such, it is most dangerous to the brain and heart, both very needy when it comes to oxygen.

Exposure to a small amount of cyanide through breathing, contact or ingestion may show some or all of the following within minutes: Rapid Breathing, Restlessness, Dizziness, Weakness, Headache, Nasea and Vomiting and/or Rapid Heart Rate.

High exposure could result in the following symptoms: Convulsions, Low Blood Pressure, Slow Heart Rate, Loss of Consciousness, Lung Injury and/or Respiratory Failure(lethal).

Evading/Dealing with Cyanide exposure

Cyanide gas is most potent in enclosed places, thus if you are exposed within an enclosed structure leave it immediately. Do not seek high ground. Cyanide gas is lighter than air, thus it will rise. Thus cyanide gas attack is best weathered outside in a low area or, if you must remain inside, in a basement. If you cannot leave the area at all, stay as low to the ground as possible.

If your clothing gets any liquid form of cyanide on it, remove them and seal them in two plastic bags. Don’t allow anyone to touch them and report them to proper authorities as soon as possible. If your skin might be contaminated, wash contaminated areas thoroughly with soap and water. If your eyes feel like they’re burning, rinse them with plain water for 10-15 minutes.

Do not induce vomiting if any cyanide is ingested.

In all cases, immediately seek medical attention after on site cleansing.

Medical Care

There are specific antidotes for cyanide poisoning which can be administered, followed by supportive care. Severe cyanide poisoning could result in heart or brain damage.

Terrorism Implications

I’ve found little data on the threat that cyanide gas is most likely to pose, but I would assume that cyanide gas is the most dangerous form, as it would likely take great amounts to poison a water supply.

Lethal does for humans is approximately 50 to 200 mg.

Ren’s Conclusion: Cyanide is likely easy to administer in gas form, but as it has a treatment and can be recovered from at low dosage levels, I would make this a minor threat for those who are alert and aware. Remember the evasion techniques and remain alert to your surroundings.

Resources

CDC Data Index for cyanide

NBC Warfare.com fact sheet

New Cyanide Spill, Hijacking of Cyanide Truck are Grim Reminders of Risks

Cyanide Poisoning

EPA Guidelines on Cyanide

The Colombia Encyclopedia: Hydrogen Cyanide