How are cyanides used?Ĭyanide and cyanide-containing compounds are used in pesticides and fumigants, plastics, electroplating, photographic developing and mining. Even among those who possess the necessary gene, olfactory fatigue can prevent cyanide detection. Between 20 and 40 percent of the population does not carry the gene needed to detect the odor of cyanide. The odors associated with cyanide-containing compounds can not be relied on as an adequate warning of hazardous concentrations.

It is soluble in water and organic solvents. Cyanogen chloride (CK) is a colorless liquefied gas that is heavier than air and has a pungent, highly irritating odor.

Cyanogen compounds can generate cyanides.

In the presence of moisture, either can form hydrogen cyanide.

Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are white powders which may have a bitter almond-like odor.

It has a bitter almond odor and is highly volatile and flammable at room temperature.

Hydrogen cyanide (AC) is a pale blue or colorless liquid below 78° F and a colorless gas at higher temperatures.

Some chemical and physical properties of the cyanides likely to be involved in an industrial accident or terrorist attack include: Low levels of cyanides are found in living organisms and are present in cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, and in foods such as spinach, bamboo shoots, almonds, lima beans, fruit pits and tapioca.

production capacities of sodium cyanide and hydrogen cyanide were 286 million pounds and more than 1.8 billion pounds, respectively. Cyanides and cyanide-containing compounds are also used in industry and manufacturing. They were used as chemical weapons for the first time in World War I. Chemical Terrorism Wall Chart (PDF, 97KB, 1pg.)Ĭyanides are fast-acting poisons that can be lethal.Chemical Terrorism Preparedness and Response Card (PDF, 45KB, 7pg.).For information on preparedness and response (e.g., for first responders and emergency medical personnel), please refer to the following Department resources: Note to reader: This fact sheet is intended to provide general awareness and education on a specific chemical agent. The Facts About Cyanides Technical InformationĪ copy of the The Facts About Cyanides (Technical Information) is available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF, 68 KB, 4pg.)

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