Hydrogen cyanide

CAS RN: 74-90-8

WMD Response Guidelines

title-here
Blood Agents
Guide 19
Example:
Hydrogen Cyanide (AC), Cyanogen Chloride (CK)
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
  • Increased Rate and Depth of Breath
  • Great Difficulty Breathing
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Convulsions
  • Cardiac Symptoms
  • Odor of Burnt Almonds or Peach Kernels
CHARACTERISTICS
  • Hydrogen Cyanide
    • Boiling Point: 78oF
    • Vapor Density (Air=1): 0.94
    • Specific Gravity (H2O=1): 0.69
  • Cyanogen Chlorine
    • Boiling Point: 55oF
    • Vapor Density (Air=1): 2.1
    • Specific Gravity (H2O=1): 1.22
INDICATORS
  • Dead Animals
  • Lack of Insect Life
  • Mass Casualties
  • Definite Pattern of Casualties
  • Casualty Patterns Differentiated by Indoor/Outdoor Location
  • Unusual Liquid Droplets
  • Areas That Look Different in Appearance
  • Unexplained Odors
  • Low Lying Clouds
  • Unusual Metal Debris
ROUTES OF EXPOSURE
  • Inhalation
  • Absorption
  • Due to the high degree of volatility of these compounds, the liquid rapidly vaporizes and disperses
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
  • Approach from Upwind, Uphill, or Upstream
  • Isolate Immediate Area in all directions distance of 200-600 feet
  • Keep Unauthorized Persons Away
  • Consider Immediate All Direction Evacuation Distance of 2640 feet during the day
  • Consider Immediate Downwind Evacuation For a SMALL SPILL DAY of .1 Miles or .5 Miles NIGHT, or LARGE SPILL DAY of .4 Miles or NIGHT of 1.7 Miles (SMALL = < 55 Gallons, LARGE = > 55 Gallons)
  • Stay Upwind
  • Make Notifications, Obtain Immediate Medical Treatment
TYPE OF HARM
  • Chemical
  • Possible Thermal
  • Possible Asphyxiation
  • Possible Mechanical
PERSONAL PROTECTION
  • Time: Keep Exposure and Product Contact to Minimum
  • Distance: Stay 200 and 600 feet away on Upwind Side
  • Shielding: Chemical Protective Clothing
Content reproduced for WISER with permission from the Louisiana State University and A&M College, National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, Academy of Counter-Terrorist Education. WMD Response Guidebook ©. Further reproduction prohibited.
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Find more information on this substance at: PubChem, PubMed