How does potassium cyanide affect humans? Potassium cyanide: truth and fiction.

Potassium cyanide is one of the most dangerous toxic substances. Potassium cyanide poisoning can have the most severe consequences for the human body, including death. Fortunately, to date, intoxication with this poisonous substance is considered rare and occurs most often among workers in hazardous chemical industries.

For many decades, potassium cyanide has been used in aristocratic circles to eliminate ill-wishers. To date, the substance is used in industry, so the possibility of potassium cyanide poisoning cannot be completely ruled out. It is very important to know all the symptoms of the action of the poison, as well as the basic methods of first aid.

Potassium cyanide - description of the substance

Potassium cyanide belongs to the category of cyanides - chemicals that are derivatives of hydrocyanic acid salts. The poisonous component has a white color, powdery consistency. A characteristic feature of the substance is a pronounced aroma of almonds, which, due to genetic predisposition and anatomical features olfactory system, can be felt by no more than 50% of people.

Cyanides visually look like grains of granulated sugar. The increased humidity of the air leads to the fact that the poison loses its resistance, decomposing into its constituent components. When potassium cyanide decomposes in the air, toxic fumes are formed, which become the cause of human poisoning.

For several centuries, potassium cyanide has been used in medicine. Today, pharmacists have abandoned the use of this chemical. Its main areas of application are:

• jewelry business;
• mining;
• production of photographic goods;
• photo printing;
• production of paint and varnish products;
• is part of some poisons for insects;
• plastic manufacturing.

In small doses, hydrocyanic acid is present in the pits of plums, apricots, cherries and peaches. Therefore, the use of such fruits should be approached with extreme caution.

Action on a person

Potassium cyanide has a rapid toxic effect. In the case of hydrocyanic acid poisoning, serious changes occur in the human body - the production of one of the most important cellular enzymes called cytochrome oxidase is completely blocked.

This leads to a violation of oxygen metabolism in the body, the cells do not receive enough oxygen, and the received one cannot fully assimilate. As a result, the process of oxygen starvation actively develops, which leads to cell death. The most severe consequences of intoxication can be death from asphyxia.

The severity of poisoning depends on the dose of the poisonous substance taken:

1. 0.2 mg - death of the victim in the first 10-15 minutes.
2. 0.13 mg - death occurs within half an hour.
3. 0.1 mg - death within an hour after poisoning.

Cyanide intoxication can occur through the digestive organs - the stomach, intestines or esophagus, as well as through mucous tissues, skin or Airways.

Symptoms of poisoning

The first symptoms of potassium cyanide poisoning depend on how much of the poisonous substance has entered the body of the victim.

The main signs of hydrocyanic acid poisoning:

• severe headaches, migraines, dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• stool disorders;
• increased sweating of the body;
• sharp jumps in blood pressure;
• burning and perspiration in the larynx;
• tachycardia, shortness of breath;
• sensation of numbness of the mucous membrane of the throat, a debilitating cough.

This clinical picture is typical for a mild degree of potassium cyanide intoxication. In the absence of first aid, the condition of the victim worsens significantly - he develops spasms or paralysis of the upper and lower extremities, the heart rhythm is disturbed, and coma may develop.

If a large amount of a toxic substance has entered the human body, a person develops other symptoms - tremor of the arms and legs, lack of pupil reaction to bright light, loss of consciousness, spontaneous emptying of the bladder and intestines. Severe intoxication requires immediate hospitalization, otherwise death is possible after paralysis respiratory system and blocking the work of the cardiovascular system.

With a lethal dose of potassium cyanide, the patient needs to administer an antidote during the first 5-15 minutes, as well as take emergency measures of detoxification therapy. This is the only method to prevent the severe consequences of hydrocyanic acid poisoning.

Signs of chronic poisoning

Chronic potassium cyanide poisoning develops as a result of prolonged penetration and accumulation of a toxic substance in the human body. Most often chronic forms intoxications occur in people whose professional activity associated with harmful working conditions.

The main signs of chronic poisoning:

1. Regular headaches turning into migraines, dizziness.
2. Painful spasms in the region of the heart muscle.
3. Sleep disorders.
4. Memory impairment, inability to concentrate.
5. Increased sweating.
6. Frequent urge to empty the bladder.
7. Decreased sex drive.

In the case of chronic intoxication of the body with hydrocyanic acid, disturbances occur in the work of the most important internal organs and systems. Most often, the cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems are affected. Also, in many cases, there is a dysfunction of the endocrine system, a sharp decrease in body weight.

In direct contact with cyanide compounds, skin damage occurs - peeling, itching, eczema, rashes, deep wounds and ulcers occur.

First aid for poisoning

The severity of the consequences of potassium cyanide poisoning depends on how quickly the victim will be given first aid. The first thing to do is call an ambulance. After that, you can begin to alleviate the condition of the person.

The victim must be taken to Fresh air, and if this is not possible, open the window wide and unfasten the collar of his clothes. If the toxic substance is on the patient's clothes, he should be undressed and his eyes thoroughly washed.

Gastric lavage is also considered effective in the penetration of potassium cyanide into the digestive system. For this purpose, you can use warm water with the addition of sugar, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or soda. You can remove toxic substances with the help of drugs with a laxative effect.

In the event that the victim has lost consciousness, in no case should he be given mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. As a result of such activities healthy man can also be poisoned by potassium cyanide fumes. If the victim is conscious, you can give the poisoned person a few glasses of water with sugar to drink. You need to drink in small sips, then press your fingers on the root of the tongue, provoking vomiting.

Treatment

Treatment of intoxication with hydrocyanic acid is carried out in a hospital. The most important element of therapy is the introduction of an antidote - this is best done in the first 5-20 minutes after poisoning.

To cleanse the body of the victim, the following means are used:

• sodium thiosulfate;
• 5% glucose solution;
• amyl nitrite;
• nitroglycerin and other drugs.

Potassium cyanide is dangerous Chemical substance, contact with which can lead not only to poisoning, but also to death. When working with cyanide, it is very important to follow all the rules of personal safety, and in case of intoxication, immediately provide first aid to the victim.

In the video below you can learn more about hydrocyanic acid - varieties, effects on the human body, the main symptoms of poisoning and first aid.

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Human poisoning can happen accidentally or intentionally. Many have heard of such a poison as potassium cyanide. It acts quite quickly on a person and often cyanide poisoning ends in serious consequences or death. This poisonous substance is used only in production (manufacturing jewelry, mining precious metals), in everyday life it is not often found.

How to determine potassium cyanide

Potassium cyanide, or potassium cyanide, is a substance that is a combination of hydrocyanic acid and potassium hydroxide. It is very toxic. However, it should be noted that this poisonous substance is not particularly resistant to decay. That is, under certain conditions (concentrated glucose solution, high humidity environment) the hazardous compound is oxidized and decomposed.

Can this poison be detected? This is quite difficult, since he does not have special hallmarks, and when it gets into food and drinks, it is not distinguishable.

Feature of Potassium Cyanide:

• View given substance. It is small colorless crystals. It looks like regular refined sugar;
• Solubility. Poison crystals dissolve well in water. In this case, the liquid does not change its color and consistency;
• Smell. We can say that potassium cyanide does not smell at all. Although some people, due to their genetic predisposition, can distinguish a slight aroma of almonds.

How can you get poisoned?

Potassium cyanide can be found in some plant foods.:

• Almonds, cassava;
• Bones fruit trees(cherry, apricot, peach, plum).

If these foods are consumed in large quantities, symptoms of mild intoxication may occur.

Industries and industries that use cyanide:

Causes of cyanide poisoning:

• Violation of safety precautions and rules of use when working with a toxic substance in production;
• Non-compliance with the rules for handling rodent poison;

• Accidents at work;
• Eating tassels of fruit-bearing plants(more often in children). Canned compotes with seeds, as well as frozen cherries, tend to accumulate this dangerous substance. Therefore, it is not recommended to keep these stocks longer than 12 months;
• Intentional use for the purpose of suicide (recently almost not recorded).

Ways of penetration of the poison into the body:

• Airborne - inhalation of poison vapors;
• Food - penetration into the body with food and drinks;
• Contact-household, that is, poisoning with potassium cyanide through the skin and mucous membranes.

The effect of potassium cyanide on the human body

The rate of action of potassium cyanide on the body directly depends on the route of its penetration. In the event that the poison got into the air, then the reaction of the body is lightning fast. When inhaled, this substance quickly penetrates into the blood, with which it spreads throughout the body. When penetrating in other ways, pathological signs increase gradually.

Cyanides disrupt the body at the cellular level.

Cyanides have a negative effect on humans. As soon as the toxic substance has entered the body, it begins to block the cells. That is, the cells of the body lose the ability to absorb oxygen, which is so necessary for life and activity.

Oxygen enters the cells, but they cannot absorb it, due to which hypoxia develops, and then asphyxia. First of all, the cells of the brain suffer, for which oxygen is vital for work.

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Venous and arterial blood are compared in terms of oxygen concentration. Poet color venous blood is changing. She becomes scarlet. The skin becomes hyperemic.

The heart and lungs also suffer from hypoxia. The heart rhythm is disturbed, ischemia occurs. Lung cells do not absorb oxygen, which leads to suffocation and asphyxia (breathing stops).

Symptoms of potassium cyanide poisoning

In the clinical picture of poisoning, 4 stages are distinguished, which depend on the concentration of the poison that has entered the body.

The first stage is prodromal. This mild poisoning, which is manifested by the following pathological signs:

The second stage is dyspnoetic. It develops upon further contact with a poisonous substance. The dyspnoetic stage is characterized by the presence of such symptoms of cyanide poisoning:

• Anxiety of the victim;
• Feeling of fear of death;
• Bradycardia (pulse becomes rare);
• Impaired coordination of movements;
• Dizziness;
• redness of the skin, perspiration;
• Trembling of the limbs (tremor);
• The eyeballs are bulging, the pupils are dilated. Their reaction to light is preserved;
• Severe shortness of breath, tachypnea.

Third stage convulsive:

• Vomit;
• convulsions;
• Loss of consciousness;
• The bullet is weak, threadlike;
• Body temperature rises sharply;
• Decreased blood pressure.

At this stage of intoxication, immediate qualified health care.

Fourth stage paralytic:

• Bright blush;
• Cessation of seizures;
• The sensitivity of the skin is absent;
• Paresis and paralysis, including the respiratory center;
• Absence of breath.

First aid and treatment after poisoning

In case of potassium cyanide poisoning, it is imperative to call an ambulance team, which will ensure the hospitalization of the patient. Before the arrival of doctors, first aid should be provided to the victim in order to alleviate his condition:

Antidotes are:

• 5 or 40% glucose solution;
• 2% sodium nitrite solution;
• 1% methylene blue solution;
• 25% sodium thiosulfate solution;
• Amyl nitrite. This solution is applied to a cotton swab and the victim is allowed to breathe.

The victim is hospitalized in the intensive care unit, where appropriate treatment is carried out:

Consequences and complications

When working with cyanides, chronic poisoning can develop, which appears:

• Severe headaches;
• dizziness;
• Irritability;
• Decreased memory;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Unpleasant sensations and pains in the region of the heart.

With a long course of chronic intoxication, severe pathologies of various systems develop (nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory).

Complications of cyanide poisoning are:

• Persistent memory impairment (difficulties in remembering new information, disappearance of certain moments of the past from the memory);
• In severe poisoning, severe brain damage is observed., which is manifested by a decrease in intellectual and cognitive abilities;
• Chronic headaches;
• Nervous breakdowns and depression;
• Changes in blood pressure;
• Change in heart rate;
• Coma and convulsions are early complications that are life-threatening for the victim;
• In severe cases, death.

Death from potassium cyanide: lethal dose and causes of death

Death from potassium cyanide is quite real. This is very toxic substance, which even in small doses has an extremely negative effect.

17 milligrams of potassium cyanide per 1 kilogram of human weight is a lethal dose.

When this concentration enters the body, death occurs in a matter of minutes. In this case, the person does not even have time to provide first aid to the victim.

Why does death occur with potassium cyanide poisoning? Death occurs with a high concentration of a poisonous substance in the body, as well as with untimely medical care. In this case, a paralytic stage quickly occurs, which often ends in the death of the patient. Many organs and systems stop working.

The causes of death are:

• Brain damage. Paralysis of the respiratory center occurs. In this case, respiratory arrest is of central origin;
• Hypoxia of brain and heart tissues;
• Respiratory and cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death.

It is impossible to avoid a lethal outcome when a lethal dose is received.

In all other cases, in order to save the patient, it is necessary to help him and introduce antidotes as soon as possible.

The history of cyanides can be traced confidently almost from the first written sources that have come down to us. The ancient Egyptians, for example, used peach pits to extract a deadly essence, which is simply called "peach" in the papyri on display at the Louvre.

Lethal Peach Synthesis

Peach, like two and a half hundred other plants, including almonds, cherries, sweet cherries, plums, belongs to the plum genus. The seeds of the fruits of these plants contain the substance amygdalin - a glycoside, which perfectly illustrates the concept of "lethal synthesis". This term is not entirely correct, it would be more correct to call the phenomenon “lethal metabolism”: in its course, a harmless (and sometimes even useful) compound is broken down into a potent poison under the action of enzymes and other substances. In the stomach, amygdalin undergoes hydrolysis, and one molecule of glucose is split off from its molecule - prunazine is formed (some of it is contained in the seeds of berries and fruits initially). Further, enzyme systems (prunasin-β-glucosidase) are included in the work, which “bite off” the last remaining glucose, after which the mandelonitrile compound remains from the original molecule. In fact, this is a meta compound that either sticks together into a single molecule, then again breaks down into components - benzaldehyde (a weak poison with a semi-lethal dose, that is, a dose that causes the death of half the members of the test group, DL50 - 1.3 g / kg of rat body weight) and hydrocyanic acid (DL50 - 3.7 mg/kg rat body weight). It is these two substances in a pair that provide the characteristic smell of bitter almonds.

There is not a single confirmed case of death in the medical literature after eating peach or apricot kernels, although poisoning cases have been described that required hospitalization. And there is a fairly simple explanation for this: only raw bones are needed for the formation of poison, and you can’t eat a lot of them. Why raw? In order for amygdalin to turn into hydrocyanic acid, enzymes are needed, and under the influence of high temperature (sunlight, boiling, frying), they are denatured. So compotes, jams and "hot" bones are completely safe. Purely theoretically, poisoning with a tincture of fresh cherries or apricots is possible, since there are no denaturing factors in this case. But there, another mechanism for neutralizing the resulting hydrocyanic acid, described at the end of the article, comes into play.

Why is acid called hydrocyanic? The cyano group in combination with iron gives a rich bright blue color. The best-known compound is Prussian blue, a mixture of hexacyanoferrates with the idealized formula Fe7(CN)18. It was from this dye that hydrogen cyanide was isolated in 1704. From it, pure hydrocyanic acid was obtained and its structure was determined in 1782 by the outstanding Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. According to legend, four years later, on his wedding day, Scheele died at his desk. Among the reagents that surrounded him was HCN.

Military background

The effectiveness of cyanides for targeted elimination of the enemy has always attracted the military. But large-scale experiments became possible only at the beginning of the 20th century, when methods were developed for the production of cyanide in industrial quantities.

On July 1, 1916, the French used hydrogen cyanide for the first time in the battles near the Somme. German troops. However, the attack failed: HCN vapor is lighter than air and quickly evaporated at high temperatures, so the “chlorine” trick with an ominous cloud creeping along the ground could not be repeated. Attempts to weight hydrogen cyanide with arsenic trichloride, tin chloride and chloroform were unsuccessful, so the use of cyanides had to be forgotten. More precisely, to postpone - until the Second World War.

The German school of chemistry and the chemical industry at the beginning of the 20th century knew no equal. Outstanding scientists worked for the benefit of the country, including Nobel laureate 1918 Fritz Haber. Under his leadership, a group of researchers from the newly founded German Pest Control Society (Degesch) modified hydrocyanic acid, which had been used as a fumigant since the late 19th century. To reduce the volatility of the compound, German chemists used an adsorbent. Before use, the pellets had to be immersed in water to release the insecticide accumulated in them. The product was named "Cyclone". In 1922, Degesch was taken over by the Degussa company. In 1926, a patent was registered for a group of developers for a second, very successful version of the insecticide - "Zyklon B", which was distinguished by a more powerful sorbent, the presence of a stabilizer, and an irritant that caused eye irritation - to avoid accidental poisoning.

Meanwhile, Gaber has been actively promoting the idea of ​​chemical weapons since the First World War, and many of his developments were of purely military importance. “If soldiers die in the war, then what difference does it make - from what exactly,” he said. Haber's scientific and business career was steadily going uphill, and he naively believed that his services to Germany had long ago made him a full-fledged German. To the rising Nazis, however, he was primarily a Jew. Gaber began to look for work in other countries, but, despite all his scientific achievements, many scientists did not forgive him for the development of chemical weapons. Nevertheless, in 1933, Haber and his family went to France, then to Spain, then to Switzerland, where he died in January 1934, fortunately for himself without having time to see for what purposes the Nazis used Zyklon B.

operand modus

Vapors of hydrocyanic acid are not very effective as a poison when inhaled, but when ingested, its DL50 salts are only 2.5 mg / kg of body weight (for potassium cyanide). Cyanides block the last stage of the transfer of protons and electrons by a chain of respiratory enzymes from oxidized substrates to oxygen, that is, they stop cellular respiration. This process is not fast - minutes even at ultra-high doses. But the cinematography showing the rapid action of cyanides does not lie: the first phase of poisoning - loss of consciousness - really occurs after a few seconds. The agony lasts for a few more minutes - convulsions, the rise and fall of blood pressure, and only then comes the cessation of breathing and cardiac activity.

At lower doses, several periods of poisoning can even be tracked. First, a bitter taste and burning sensation in the mouth, salivation, nausea, headache, rapid breathing, impaired coordination of movements, increasing weakness. Later, painful shortness of breath joins, there is not enough oxygen for the tissues, so the brain gives a command to speed up and deepen breathing (this is a very characteristic symptom). Gradually, breathing is oppressed, another characteristic symptom appears - a short inhalation and a very long exhalation. The pulse becomes more rare, the pressure drops, the pupils dilate, the skin and mucous membranes turn pink, and do not turn blue or turn pale, as in other cases of hypoxia. If the dose is non-lethal, everything is limited to this, after a few hours the symptoms disappear. Otherwise, it is the turn of loss of consciousness and convulsions, and then arrhythmia occurs, cardiac arrest is possible. Sometimes paralysis and prolonged (up to several days) coma develop.

Amygdalin is popular with near-medical charlatans who call themselves representatives of alternative medicine. Since 1961, under the brand name "Laetrile" or under the name "Vitamin B17", a semi-synthetic analog of amygdalin has been actively promoted as a "cancer cure". No scientific basis under it no. In 2005, a case of severe cyanide poisoning was described in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy: a 68-year-old patient took Laetrile, as well as overdose of vitamin C, hoping to increase the preventive effect. As it turned out, such a combination leads exactly in the opposite direction from health.

Poisoned - poison

Cyanides have a very high affinity for ferric iron, which is why they rush into cells to respiratory enzymes. So the idea of ​​a decoy for poison was in the air. It was first implemented in 1929 by Romanian researchers Mladoveanu and Georgiou, who first poisoned a dog with a lethal dose of cyanide and then saved it with intravenous sodium nitrite. It is now food supplement E250 is defamed by everyone who is not too lazy, but the animal, by the way, survived: sodium nitrite in conjunction with hemoglobin forms methemoglobin, on which cyanides in the blood “peck” better than on respiratory enzymes, for which you still need to get inside the cell.

Nitrites oxidize hemoglobin very quickly, so one of the most effective antidotes (antidotes) - amyl nitrite, isoamyl ester of nitrous acid - is enough to simply inhale from a cotton wool, like ammonia. Later it turned out that methemoglobin not only binds cyanide ions circulating in the blood, but also unblocks the respiratory enzymes “closed” by them. The group of methemoglobin-forming agents, however, already slower, also includes the dye methylene blue (known as "blue").

There is also a reverse side of the coin: when administered intravenously, nitrites themselves become poisons. So it is possible to saturate the blood with methemoglobin only with strict control of its content, no more than 25–30% of the total mass of hemoglobin. There is one more nuance: the binding reaction is reversible, that is, after a while the formed complex will decompose and cyanide ions will rush into the cells to their traditional targets. So we need another line of defense, which is used, for example, cobalt compounds (cobalt salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, hydroxycobalamin - one of the B12 vitamins), as well as the anticoagulant heparin, beta-hydroxyethylmethyleneamine, hydroquinone, sodium thiosulfate.

Amygdalin is found in plants of the Rosaceae family (plum genus - cherry, cherry plum, sakura, sweet cherry, peach, apricot, almond, bird cherry, plum), as well as in representatives of the cereal, legume, adox (genus elder) families, flax (flax genus), euphorbiaceae (genus cassava). The content of amygdalin in berries and fruits depends on many different factors. So, in the seeds of apples it can be from 1 to 4 mg / kg. In freshly squeezed apple juice - 0.01-0.04 mg / ml, and in packaged juice - 0.001-0.007 ml / ml. For comparison: apricot kernels contain 89−2170 mg/kg.

Incident of Rasputin

But the most interesting antidote is much simpler and more accessible. Chemists still in late XIX centuries have noticed that cyanides are converted into non-toxic compounds when interacting with sugar (this happens especially effectively in solution). The mechanism of this phenomenon was explained in 1915 by the German scientists Rupp and Golze: cyanides, reacting with substances containing an aldehyde group, form cyanohydrins. There are such groups in glucose, and the amygdalin mentioned at the beginning of the article is essentially glucose-neutralized cyanide.

If Prince Yusupov or one of the conspirators who joined him, Purishkevich or Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, knew about this, they would not start filling cakes (where sucrose has already been hydrolyzed to glucose) and wine (where glucose is also available), intended for treats of Grigory Rasputin, potassium cyanide. However, there is an opinion that he was not poisoned at all, and the story about the poison appeared to confuse the investigation. Poison was not found in the stomach of the "royal friend", but this means absolutely nothing - no one was looking for cyanohydrins there.

Glucose has its advantages: for example, it is able to restore hemoglobin. This turns out to be very useful for "picking up" detached cyanide ions when using nitrites and other "poisonous antidotes". There is even a ready-made drug, "chromosmon" - a 1% solution of methylene blue in a 25% glucose solution. But there are also annoying downsides. First, cyanohydrins are formed slowly, much more slowly than methemoglobin. Secondly, they are formed only in the blood and only before the poison penetrates the cells to the respiratory enzymes. In addition, eating potassium cyanide with a piece of sugar will not work: sucrose does not react directly with cyanides, it must first be decomposed into glucose with fructose. So if you are afraid of cyanide poisoning, it is better to carry an ampoule of amyl nitrite with you - crush it in a handkerchief and breathe for 10-15 seconds. And then you can call an ambulance and complain that you were poisoned with cyanide. The doctors will be surprised!

DAMAGES BY POISONING SUBSTANCES OF GENERAL TOXIC ACTION: PRUSIAN ACID AND POTASSIUM CYANIDE

Cyanides are a class of fast-acting chemical compounds deadly to humans and animals. Cyanides include hydrocyanic (hydrocyanic) acid and its derivatives - salts. All these substances are united by the presence in their chemical formula cyano groups CN, they can be of both organic and inorganic origin.

How cyanides work

It is known about the mechanism of the toxic action of all toxic cyanides that, interfering with the process of intracellular oxidation, cyanide ions interact with oxidized molecules and prevent the uptake of oxygen by tissues.

They block the most important iron-containing respiratory enzyme, as a result of which a paradoxical state occurs - tissues and cells overflow with oxygen, but are unable to absorb it, since it has lost its chemical activity. As a result, the amount of oxygen in venous blood (leading to the lungs carbon dioxide) becomes almost equal to its amount in arterial blood (carrying oxygen from the lungs to the tissues). Because of this, with cyanide poisoning, people may experience hyperemia (severe reddening of the entire body).

Properties and uses of hydrocyanic acid compounds

The chemical properties possessed by cyanide compounds are widely used in various fields human activity. At the same time, inorganic cyanides are used mainly in industrial purposes, and organic - in pharmacology and agriculture.

Applications for inorganic cyanides include:

• chemical industry - as a complexing agent in the composition of electrolytes for galvanic coating of metal parts by sputtering from gold, silver, platinum in electrochemistry;
• textile and leather production - for dressing raw leather, textile production and other processes;
• photography - as part of a fixing agent (fixer) for wet photo printing;
• gold mining industry - for cyanidation in order to extract precious metals from ore;
• electrotype.

Organic cyanides are used:

• in agriculture (pest control);
• in organic synthesis;
• in the pharmaceutical industry.

Most cyanides are extremely toxic substances, the poisoning of which most often leads to death. A characteristic feature of most CN-containing compounds is the sharp smell of bitter almonds.

sodium cyanide

The compound sodium cyanide has various forms:

• hygroscopic crystals;
• pastes;
• records;
• white powder.

Sodium cyanide has high level toxic hazard, can cause paralysis of tissue gas exchange and, as a result, rapid suffocation. The lethal dose of sodium cyanide is 0.1 grams.

The cause of poisoning can be accidental ingestion of the substance into the digestive tract, contact of the substance with the skin, especially injured, and inhalation of dust containing toxic compounds. People working with NaCN must follow the strictest safety measures - wear overalls, consisting of overalls, rubber gloves, headgear and boots, and gas masks. The room where work with this substance is carried out must be equipped with powerful ventilation systems.

ammonium cyanide

Ammonium cyanide refers to inorganic compounds and is a colorless salt crystals obtained from the interaction of ammonium with hydrocyanic acid. The compound is highly soluble in water and acts as a reagent in organic synthesis processes. Requires normal precautions, the same as other cyanide compounds.

silver cyanide

Another representative inorganic compound, silver cyanide is formed from the reaction of hydrocyanic acid with monovalent silver, precipitating as a white precipitate. It is used as an electrolyte component in the silvering process and for other purposes. It is characterized by high toxicity due to the action of cyanide ions on the process of gas exchange by blocking the enzyme cytochrome oxidase.

calcium cyanide

The compound obtained by the interaction of hydrocyanic acid with calcium carbide is called calcium cyanide and has the appearance of a light brown, easily sprayable substance. The most popular application is the control of rodents and other pests in agriculture.

Mercury cyanide

Water-soluble inorganic substance mercuric cyanide is a mercury salt of hydrocyanic acid in the form of a colorless or white odorless crystalline compound. This compound dissolves in water and exhibits a strong toxic effect. In small doses, it is used in medicine as a disinfectant and therapeutic agent for the treatment of syphilis. Permissible doses intramuscular injection - 1 ml of a 2% solution every 2 days, intravenous - from 0.5 ml of a 1% solution to 1 ml. Symptoms of poisoning are similar to clinical picture metal mercury poisoning.

zinc cyanide

A colorless, water-insoluble salt of zinc, zinc cyanide is a colorless crystalline powder used in electroforming and as a catalyst in organic synthesis. Requires caution and reliable protective measures when using.

The main characteristics of potassium cyanide

One of the poisonous derivatives of hydrocyanic acid is potassium cyanide salt, or potassium cyanide. Whether in view of the similarity of this compound in appearance to granulated sugar, or because of its general availability in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (sold simply in a pharmacy), this poison, which practically does not smell like anything, has become widely known. It was this snow-white poison that the book villains of the famous detective novels used, it was they who poisoned the whole family of the war criminal Goebbels, who did not want to face justice. But in fact, potassium cyanide poisoning is no more, if not less, dangerous than such "household" poisons as botulinum toxin and nicotine.

Distribution in the environment

Potassium cyanide is not a very stable cyanide. Due to the weakness of hydrocyanic acid, salts of stronger acids easily displace the cyano group from the compound, as a result of which it volatilizes, depriving the compound of toxic properties. However, the danger of cyanide poisoning exists even under conditions that many are likely to be unaware of.

Using reagents for photographic laboratories, jewelry cleaners, insect stains in entomology, and even watercolors and gouache paints such as milori, Prussian blue, Prussian blue, which contain some amount of potassium cyanide, you can inhale the vapours. acids escaping during operation.

Where else is the substance found

Potassium cyanide poisoning is theoretically possible in natural conditions. The compound amygdalin, containing a potassium cyano group, was found in the pulp of the seeds of such garden plants how:

• peaches;
• cherries;
• plums;
• apricots;
• almond.

The presence of the CN group of potassium cyanide turns young petioles and elderberry leaves into poison.

To get a lethal dose of potassium cyanide (1 g or more), it is enough to eat about 100 g of apricot kernels.

How does potassium cyanide work on humans?

Like most cyanides, potassium cyanide can enter the body through oral cavity, skin and respiratory tract and block the cellular enzyme responsible for the uptake of oxygen by cells. As a result, oxygen is not absorbed, but continues to circulate in combination with hemoglobin. Intracellular metabolism stops, and death of the organism occurs. The effect is comparable to suffocation. A fatal dose for humans is 1.7 mg/kg of body weight.

The greatest danger of potassium cyanide poisoning is exposed to workers in galvanic production, mining and processing complexes, chemical laboratories, whose activities are associated with the use of this poison. Among the victims may be people living near hazardous industries as a result of emissions of toxic compounds into the atmosphere, soil or water bodies.

Clinical picture and stages of potassium cyanide poisoning

Symptoms of potassium cyanide poisoning are directly dependent on individual sensitivity to the poison and the dose received.

With a significant amount of poison, acute poisoning is noted, usually killing a person in a matter of minutes. When poisoning in small doses, but for a long time, we are talking about chronic poisoning.

Signs of severe, acute poisoning:

• sharp taste and smell of bitter almonds in the mouth;
• loss of consciousness by the victim;
• development of instant paralysis of the respiratory system and the work of the heart muscle (myocardium);
• death.

As a rule, at high concentrations of a toxic substance (more than 1.7 ml / kg of weight) that has entered the body, doctors do not have time to provide medical assistance to the victim.

Low doses of potassium cyanide lead to delayed poisoning, which is characterized by gradual development.

Initial symptoms:

• dizziness;
• spontaneous severe headache;
• severe heaviness in the frontal lobes;
• a rush of blood to the Head;
• rapid heartbeat and breathing.

Symptoms of the stage of shortness of breath:

• decrease in respiratory rate, the appearance of noise with a deep breath;
• slow heart rate;
• pupil dilation;
• the occurrence of nausea and vomiting.

Signs of the stage of seizures:

• biting the tongue due to jaw cramps;
• loss of consciousness.

Symptoms of the stage of paralysis:

• loss of sensitivity and reflexivity;
• extremely weak breathing;
• as a rule - involuntary defecation and urination.

If before the onset of this stage the patient was not helped by an antidote, cardiac arrest and death occur. Vivid indicators of death from potassium cyanide toxins are hyperemia of the skin and the scarlet color of the mucous and venous veins.

Symptoms of chronic poisoning

Workers in hazardous industries or laboratories who have received low doses for a long time may experience symptoms of chronic potassium cyanide poisoning:

• dyspeptic symptoms;
• frequent headaches and heartaches;
• memory loss;
• insomnia;
• dizziness.

Quite often, the action of cyanide compounds affects the functioning of the liver, central nervous system and thyroid gland.

First aid for poisoning

Since poisoning by any kind of cyanide threatens the victim with a mortal danger, first aid must be provided quickly and competently.

1. If the poisoning occurred by inhalation (that is, by inhalation of vapors), the poisoned person should be immediately taken out to fresh air. If there have been emissions into the atmosphere, you should be located closer to the ground - cyanide will evaporate upwards, since they are lighter than air.
2. If cyanide has settled on the victim's clothing, it must be cut off and destroyed so as not to aggravate the poisoning from the toxins on the fabric.
3. Contact lenses (if worn by the victim) should be removed and the eyes thoroughly rinsed.
4. In case of oral cyanide poisoning, it is necessary to wash the stomach with a 0.1% solution of potassium permanganate or a 2% solution baking soda. If the patient has not lost consciousness, you need to give him a laxative based on saline or induce vomiting with a special agent.
5. Sweet is also considered a moderate antidote. warm water. (There is a well-known story of an attempt to poison G. Rasputin with potassium cyanide, which failed only because the poison was introduced into sweet cakes and wine, where hydrocyanic acid was neutralized under the influence of glucose).

Medical treatment with antidotes

Qualified medical assistance for cyanide poisoning involves the immediate oral or intravenous administration of an antidote. Today, 3 groups of effective antidotes are known:

Emergency medical care in the presence of the necessary antidote drugs can be provided according to the following scheme:

• give the victim every 2 minutes to inhale the vapors of Amyl nitrite, soaking a cotton wool with this substance;
• inject 10 ml of a 2% solution of sodium nitrite intravenously;
• further - 50 ml of a 1% methylene blue solution based on a 25% glucose solution;
• also - 30-50 ml of 30% sodium thiosulfate.

If a necessary drugs enter in the very first minutes after poisoning, it will be possible to prevent a fatal outcome. All of the above procedures, repeated in the same sequence 1 hour later, will enhance the effect of antidotes and improve survival prognosis.

You also need to take precautions yourself. In case of loss of consciousness, the first thing that many try to help the patient with is nothing more than to give him mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration. In case of cyanide poisoning, this cannot be done, since you can be poisoned by the exhaled vapors of the injured, which smell of mortal danger - bitter almonds.