Cyanides and their effect on the human body. reference

From a gold-mining enterprise it happened to the Sekisovka river in the East Kazakhstan region, the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of cyanide was exceeded by more than 500 times, the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan reported on Wednesday, November 2.

Cyanides include large group chemical compounds derived from hydrocyanic (cyanic) acid. They all contain a cyano group - CN. There are inorganic cyanides (hydrocyanic acid, sodium and potassium cyanides, cyanogen, cyanogen chloro, cyanogen bromide, calcium cyanide) and organic cyanides (cyanoformic and cyanoacetic acid esters, nitriles, thiocyanates, glycoside amygdalin, etc.).

Inorganic cyanides are widely used in chemical, tanning, textile industry, in photography, agriculture, in gold mining and in electroforming.

Organic cyanides are used for pest control in agriculture, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical industry, etc.

Hydrocyanic acid and its salts, cyanides, are among the most toxic substances and cause severe poisoning.

Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) is a light volatile liquid with a characteristic bitter almond odor. It is a very strong poison: in the amount of 0.05 grams, it already causes fatal poisoning in humans.

Sodium and potassium cyanides are colorless crystals; in air in the presence of moisture they easily decompose with the release of hydrocyanic acid. Cyanogen chloride is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Cyanogen bromide - colorless crystals with a pungent odor. Calcium cyanamide - pure white, technical - grayish-black fine powder. Cyanplav is a mixture of cyanides and calcium and sodium chlorides, dark gray powder (grains or crystals) with a faint smell of bitter almonds.

Cyanides enter the body through the digestive system, respiratory system and rarely through the skin. The toxic effect of cyanides is based on the fact that they bind to tissue enzymes responsible for cellular respiration, suppressing their activity, and cause oxygen starvation of tissues.

Cyanide anions form complexes with ferrous ions, which leads to a blockade of oxygen transfer to tissues and causes tissue hypoxia (oxygen starvation). As a result, the functions of the brain and respiratory center are disrupted.

Inhalation of hydrocyanic acid vapors, death occurs within one minute. Ingestion of sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide can also cause death in a person within minutes.

The action of potassium and sodium cyanides on the skin can cause cracking and the development of eczema.

The clinical picture of acute cyanide poisoning depends on the dose of poison or the concentration of hydrocyanic acid vapor.

Symptoms of hydrocyanic acid poisoning

In case of mild poisoning: the smell of bitter almonds from the mouth, sore throat, dizziness, salivation, vomiting, fear, shock.
In case of severe poisoning: loss of consciousness, convulsions, hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels of the circulatory system) of the skin, paralysis of the respiratory center.

First aid

If you suspect poisoning with hydrocyanic acid, first of all, the victim must induce vomiting, then take him to Fresh air, give activated charcoal to drink and call an ambulance. When calling an ambulance, you must be sure to report that hydrocyanic acid poisoning has occurred.

The doctor must intravenously inject an antidote (antidote) of hydrocyanic acid - sodium thiosulfate, which weakens the effect of the poison. In case of violation of vital functions, the doctor takes resuscitation measures. After providing first aid, he hospitalizes the patient for further treatment.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

DAMAGE BY POISONOUS SUBSTANCES OF GENERAL TOXIC EFFECT: SYNYLIC ACID AND POTASSIUM CYANIDE

Hydrocyanic acid and potassium cyanide are general toxic substances, as well as sodium, cyanogen chloride, cyanogen bromide, carbon monoxide.
For the first time, hydrocyanic acid was synthesized by the Swedish scientist Karl Scheele in 1782. History knows the use of cyanides for mass destruction of people. During the First World War (1916 on the Somme River), the French army used hydrocyanic acid as a poisonous substance; in Hitler's extermination camps, the Nazis (1943-1945) used poisonous gases cyclones (cyanoformic acid esters), American troops in South Vietnam (1963) used toxic organic cyanides (gases of the CS type) against the civilian population. It is also known that in the USA it is used the death penalty by poisoning convicts with hydrocyanic acid vapors in a special cell.
Due to their high chemical activity and the ability to interact with numerous compounds of various classes, cyanides are widely used in many industries, agriculture, scientific research, and this creates many opportunities for intoxication.
So, hydrocyanic acid and big number its derivatives are used to extract precious metals from ores, in electroplating gilding and silvering, in the production of aromatic substances, chemical fibers, plastics, rubber, organic glass, plant growth stimulants, herbicides. Cyanides are also used as insecticides, fertilizers and defoliants. Hydrocyanic acid is released in a gaseous state in many industrial processes. There may also be cyanide poisoning due to the consumption of large quantities of seeds of almonds, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums and other plants of the Rosaceae family or tinctures from their fruits. It turned out that they all contain the glycoside amygdalin, which decomposes in the body under the influence of the enzyme emulsin to form hydrocyanic acid, benzaldehyde and 2 glucose molecules. The largest amount of amygdalin is found in bitter almonds (up to 3%) and apricot seeds (up to 2%).
Physicochemical properties and toxicity of hydrocyanic acid
Hydrocyanic acid - HCN - is a colorless, easily boiling (at 26 ° C) liquid with a bitter almond smell, with a specific gravity of 0.7, freezes at - 13.4 C. Cyanide poisoning develops upon inhalation of vapors of a toxic substance, upon ingestion through the skin and through the mouth. In wartime, the most probable is the inhalation route of their entry into the body. According to the WHO, Lt50 of hydrocyanic acid is 2 g / min / m3. In case of oral poisoning, lethal doses for humans are: HCN - 1 mg / kg, KCN - 2.5 mg / kg; NaСN - 1.8 mg / kg.
Mechanism of toxic action
The mechanism of action of hydrocyanic acid has been studied in some detail. It is a substance that causes tissue-type oxygen deprivation. At the same time, high content oxygen in both arterial and venous blood and thus a decrease in arterio-venous difference, a sharp decrease in oxygen consumption by tissues with a decrease in the formation of carbon dioxide in them.
It was found that cyanides interfere with the redox processes in tissues, disrupting the activation of oxygen by cytochrome oxidase. (The lecturer can elaborate on modern views cellular respiration).
Hydrocyanic acid and its salts, dissolved in the blood, reach the tissues, where they interact with the trivalent form of iron cytochrome oxidase. When combined with cyanide, cytochrome oxidase loses the ability to transfer electrons to molecular oxygen. Due to the failure of the final oxidation link, the entire respiratory chain is blocked and tissue hypoxia develops. Oxygen is delivered to the tissues in sufficient quantities with arterial blood, but it is not absorbed by them and passes unchanged into the venous bed. At the same time, the processes of formation of macroergs, necessary for the normal functioning of various organs and systems, are disrupted. Glycolysis is activated, that is, the exchange from aerobic to anaerobic. The activity of other enzymes is also suppressed - catalase, peroxidase, lactate dehydrogenase.
The effect of cyanides on various organs and systems
Effects on the nervous system... As a result of tissue hypoxia, developing under the influence of hydrocyanic acid, the functions of the central nervous system... Cyanides in toxic doses cause at the beginning the excitement of the central nervous system, and then its depression. In particular, at the beginning of intoxication, the excitation of the respiratory and vasomotor centers is observed. This is manifested by an increase in blood pressure and the development of severe shortness of breath. The extreme form of excitation of the central nervous system is clonic-tonic seizures. The pronounced excitement of the nervous system is replaced by paralysis (of the respiratory and vasomotor centers).
Effects on the respiratory system... In the picture of acute poisoning, a pronounced increase in the frequency and depth of breathing is observed. Developing shortness of breath, apparently, should be considered as a compensatory reaction of the body to hypoxia. The stimulating effect of cyanides on respiration is due to the excitation of the chemoreceptors of the carotid sinus and the direct action of the poison on the cells of the respiratory center. The initial excitement of respiration, as intoxication develops, is replaced by its oppression up to a complete stop. The causes of these disorders are tissue hypoxia and depletion of energy resources in the cells of the carotid sinus and in the centers of the medulla oblongata.
Effects on the cardiovascular system... V initial period intoxication, a slowdown in the heart rate is observed. An increase in blood pressure and an increase in the minute volume of the heart occur due to the excitation of chemoreceptors of the carotid sinus and cells of the vasomotor center by cyanides, on the one hand, the release of catecholamines from the adrenal glands and, as a result, vasospasm, on the other. As the poisoning progresses blood pressure falls, the pulse quickens, acute cardiovascular failure develops and cardiac arrest occurs.
Changes in the blood system... The content of erythrocytes in the blood increases, which is explained in the reflex contraction of the spleen in response to developing hypoxia. The color of the venous blood becomes bright scarlet due to the excess oxygen content that is not absorbed by the tissues. The arterio-venous oxygen difference decreases sharply. When tissue respiration is suppressed, both the gas and the biochemical composition of the blood change. The content of CO2 in the blood decreases due to less formation and increased release during hyperventilation. This leads at the beginning of the development of intoxication to gas alkalosis, which is changed by metabolic acidosis, which is a consequence of the activation of glycolysis processes. Under-oxidized metabolic products accumulate in the blood. The content of lactic acid increases, the content of acetone bodies increases, hyperglycemia is noted. The development of hypothermia is explained by the violation of redox processes in tissues. Thus, hydrocyanic acid and its salts cause tissue hypoxia and associated respiratory, circulatory, metabolic, and central nervous system disorders, the severity of which depends on the severity of intoxication.
CLINICAL PICTURE OF CYANIDE POISONING
Cyanide poisoning is characterized by early appearance signs of intoxication, rapid development the phenomena of oxygen starvation, a predominant lesion of the central nervous system and a probable death in a short time.
Distinguish between lightning and delayed forms. When a large amount of poison enters the body, death can occur almost instantly. The affected person immediately loses consciousness, breathing becomes frequent and shallow, the pulse quickens, arrhythmic, convulsions occur. The convulsive period is short, breathing stops and death occurs. With a delayed form, the development of poisoning can stretch over time and proceed in different ways.
Mild poisoning characterized mainly by subjective disorders: irritation of the upper respiratory tract, conjunctiva of the eyes, an unpleasant burning-bitter taste in the mouth, the smell of bitter almonds is felt, weakness, dizziness appears. A little later, there is a feeling of numbness of the oral mucosa, salivation and nausea. At the slightest physical effort, shortness of breath and severe muscle weakness, tinnitus, difficulty speaking, and vomiting are possible. After the cessation of the action of the poison, all unpleasant sensations subside. However, headaches, muscle weakness, nausea and a feeling of general fatigue may remain for several days. With a mild degree of intoxication, complete recovery occurs.
With intoxication medium at first, the subjective disorders described above are noted, and then a state of excitement arises, a feeling of fear of death appears. The mucous membranes and skin acquire a scarlet color, the pulse is reduced and tense, blood pressure rises, breathing becomes shallow, and short-term clonic seizures may occur. With timely assistance and removal from the contaminated atmosphere, the poisoned person quickly regains consciousness. In the next 3-6 days, weakness, malaise, general weakness, headache, discomfort in the heart, tachycardia, restless sleep are noted.
In the clinical picture severe intoxication there are four stages: initial, dyspnoetic, convulsive and paralytic. initial stage characterized mainly by subjective sensations described above when describing mild poisoning. It is short-lived and goes to the next one. For the dyspnoetic stage, some signs of tissue-type oxygen starvation are typical: scarlet color of mucous membranes and skin, gradually increasing weakness, general anxiety, discomfort in the heart. The poisoned one has a feeling of fear of death, the pupils dilate, the pulse decreases, breathing becomes frequent and deep. In the convulsive stage, the condition of the affected person deteriorates sharply. Consciousness is lost, the corneal reflex is sluggish, the pupils do not react to light. Exophthalmos appears, breathing becomes arrhythmic, rare, blood pressure rises, pulse rate decreases. Common clonic-tonic seizures occur. The scarlet color of the skin and mucous membranes is preserved. The duration of this stage can vary from several minutes to several hours. With a further deterioration in the condition of the affected, the paralytic stage develops. Convulsions by this time have stopped, however, the patient has a deep coma with a complete loss of sensitivity and reflexes, muscle weakness, involuntary urination and defecation are possible. Respiration is rare, irregular. Then comes a complete cessation of breathing, the pulse quickens, becomes arrhythmic, the blood pressure drops and after a few minutes the cardiac activity stops.
Consequences and complications typical for severe intoxication. For several weeks after the transferred lesion, persistent and profound changes in the neuropsychic sphere may persist. As a rule, asthenic syndrome persists for 10-15 days. Patients complain of increased fatigue, decreased performance, headache, bad dream... Disorders of motor coordination, persistent disorders of a cerebellar nature, paresis and paralysis of various muscle groups, difficulty speaking, mental disorders can be observed. From co-
pneumonia is in the first place. Its occurrence is facilitated by aspiration of mucus, vomit, prolonged stay of patients in a supine position. Changes are observed in cardiovascular system... Within 1-2 weeks, there are unpleasant sensations in the region of the heart, single extrasystoles, tachycardia, lability of the pulse and blood pressure indicators, ECG changes are traced (signs of coronary insufficiency).
DIAGNOSTICS OF SYNDIC ACID POISONING
The diagnosis of hydrocyanic acid lesions is based on the following signs: sudden onset of symptoms of the lesion, the sequence of development and the transience of the clinical picture, the smell of bitter almonds in the exhaled air, scarlet color of the skin and mucous membranes, wide pupils and exophthalmos.
TREATMENT OF POISONS WITH BLUE ACID
The effect of helping poisoned cyanides depends on the speed of application of antidotes and agents that normalize the functions of vital organs and systems.
Methemoglobin-forming substances, substances containing sulfur and carbohydrates have antidote properties. Methemoglobin-formers include anticyanogen, amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, methylene blue. They oxidize the iron of hemoglobin, converting it into methemoglobin. Methemoglobin containing ferric iron is able to compete with cytochrome oxidase for cyanide. It should be borne in mind that methemoglobin is not able to bind with oxygen, therefore, strictly defined doses of these agents must be used, since when hemoglobin is inactivated by more than 25-30%, hemic hypoxia develops. Methemoglobin primarily binds cyanide dissolved in the blood. With a decrease in the concentration of cyanide in the blood, conditions are created for the restoration of the activity of cytochrome oxidase and the normalization of tissue respiration. This is due to the reverse flow of cyanide from tissues into the blood - towards its lower concentration. The formed cyanogen-methemoglobin complex is a fragile compound. After 1-1.5 hours, this complex begins to gradually disintegrate with the formation of hemoglobin and cyanide. Therefore, a relapse of intoxication is possible. However, the dissociation process is extended in time, which makes it possible to neutralize the poison with other antidotes.
The standard antidote from the group of methemoglobin-formers is anti-cyanogen.
In case of poisoning with hydrocyanic acid, the first injection of anticyanine in the form of a 20% solution is performed in a volume of 1.0 ml intramuscularly or 0.75 ml intravenously. When administered intravenously, the drug is diluted in 10 ml of a 25-40% glucose solution or saline solution, the rate of administration is 3 ml per minute. If necessary, after 30 min. the antidote can be re-administered at a dose of 1.0 ml, but only intramuscularly. After another 30-40 minutes. a third injection at the same dose can be carried out, if indicated.
Sodium nitrite is a powerful methemoglobin-forming agent. Aqueous solutions preparations are prepared ex tempore, since they are unstable during storage. When assisting poisoned people, sodium nitrite is slowly injected intravenously in the form of a 1-2% solution in a volume of 10-20 ml.
Amyl nitrite and propyl nitrite have a methemoglobin-forming effect. Methylene blue has a partial methemoglobin-forming effect.
Substances containing sulfur. When substances containing sulfur interact with cyanide, non-toxic thiocyanate compounds are formed. Sodium thiosulfate was found to be the most effective sulfur donor. Introduced intravenously, 20-50 ml of a 30% solution. It reliably neutralizes agents. The disadvantage is the relatively slow action.
The next group of antidotes has the property of converting cyanogen to non-toxic cyanohydrins. This property is observed in carbohydrates. Glucose has a pronounced antitoxic effect, which is recommended to be administered in a dose of 30-50 ml of a 25% solution. In addition, glucose has a beneficial effect on respiration, heart function and increases urine output.
An antidote effect is observed when using cobalt salts, which, when interacting with cyanides, lead to the formation of non-toxic cyano-cobalt compounds.
The effect of antidotes is enhanced when they are used against the background of oxygen barotherapy. It has been shown that oxygen under pressure promotes a more rapid restoration of cytochrome oxidase activity.
There is information about a favorable therapeutic effect unitiol, which is not a donor of sulfur, activates the enzyme rhodonase, and thus accelerates the detoxification process. Therefore, it is advisable to introduce unitiol along with sulfur donors.
Antidote therapy for hydrocyanic acid lesions, as a rule, is carried out in combination: first, methemoglobin-formers are used, then sulfur donors and substances that promote the formation of cyanohydrins.
In addition to the use of antidotes, it is necessary to carry out all general principles treatment of the poisoned (removal of non-absorbed and absorbed poison, prevention of further intake of poison into the organs - by the method of forced removal, symptomatic therapy, resuscitation measures).
STEP TREATMENT
Poisoning develops quickly, therefore health care is urgent.
First aid in the outbreak includes putting on a gas mask on the poisoned person. Then evacuation is carried out outside the outbreak. Those affected in an unconscious state and convulsive stage of intoxication need to be evacuated lying down.
First aid is carried out outside the hearth, which allows you to remove the gas mask. Anticyanogen is introduced - 1 ml intramuscularly, if necessary, cordiamine, mechanical ventilation.
First aid. The anticyant is reintroduced. If it was not prescribed at the stage of first aid, it is desirable to carry out the first injection intravenously in 10 ml of 25-40% glucose solution. Subsequently, 20-50 ml of a 30% sodium thiosulfate solution is injected intravenously. According to the indications, 2 ml of a solution of etymizole and cordiamine are used intramuscularly, mechanical ventilation.
Further evacuation is carried out only after elimination of convulsions and normalization of breathing. On the way, it is necessary to provide assistance in case of relapses of intoxication.
Qualified therapeutic assistance consists primarily of urgent measures: repeated administration of antidotes (anticyanogen, sodium thiosulfate, glucose), injections of cordiamine, etymizole, mechanical ventilation (hardware method). Delayed measures of qualified therapeutic care include the introduction of antibiotics, sulfonamides, desensitizing agents, vitamins.
Those affected in a coma and convulsive state are not transportable. Evacuation of seriously injured patients is carried out in the VPTH, in the presence of neurological disorders - in the VPNG, those who have undergone mild intoxication remain in the medical hospital (OMO).
Specialized care is provided in the relevant therapeutic hospitals (VPTG, VPNG) in full. At the end of the treatment, convalescents are transferred to IPGRL, in the presence of persistent changes in the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory systems, patients are subject to referral to the IHC.

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Organic cyanides have one or more cyano groups: these include cyanohydrins and nitriles. Acetone cyanohydrin (CH3) 2C (OH) CN dissociates completely in solution, forming an equivalent amount of cyanides, as follows from the results of the determination of free cyanides. Of course, it is completely destroyed when detected by other methods. Nitriles are practically not destroyed with the formation of cyanides. In the case of acetonitrile CH3CN and adiponitrile NC (CH2) 4CN, no significant presence of free, simple and total cyanides was found. However, acrylonitrile CH2 CHCN releases about 15% cyanide after UV irradiation. These differences between cyanohydrins and nitriles are very significant and must be taken into account when assessing the environmental impact.

Organic cyanides are converted in the body into thiocyanates, the content of which in the urine of animals increases after poisoning.

Nitriles - organic cyanides (acrylonitrile, acetonitrile, isobutyl nitrile) are transported in cans with a volume of up to 60 liters, made of sheet steel with a minimum wall thickness of 1 mm and having a double closure system (two plugs, one of which is screwed), or in steel drums with a wall thickness of at least 1 25 mm and having a similar closing system.

Nitriles (also called organic cyanides) are organic compounds that contain a characteristic cyanide group (- CN) and have the general formula RCN. When hydrolyzed, they form an acid that contains this number of carbon atoms. Nitriles are very dangerous, because when heated, decomposing, they release hydrogen cyanide.

The most potentially dangerous is skin contact with aromatic amino and nitro compounds (aniline, nitrobenzene), as well as with chlorinated hydrocarbons, organic phosphorus insecticides, organic cyanides.

Organic cyanides are generally not hydrolyzed to hydrogen cyanide.

Amines, as well as anilines, which are a special case of amines, have been described in Sec. Here we consider nitro compounds (RNO2, section RCN), also called organic cyanides (section. Many other compounds containing nitrogen, briefly mentioned in section.

Cyanides or nitriles have a general structure R - C N. Although structurally they can be considered as esters of hydrocyanic acid, the properties of nitriles differ markedly from those of esters. Hydrocyanic acid is so weak that organic cyanides cannot be obtained by reacting hydrocyanic acid with alcohols.

The first member of the nitrile series is formonitrile or hydrocyanic acid, HCN. This compound has both the properties of a weak acid and the properties of a nitrile. Hydrocyanic acid is extremely poisonous; its toxicity is partly based on the formation of a strong complex with hemoglobin. Organic cyanides are less toxic and many have a pleasant scent.

Thick wire (- 3 mm) red copper is calcined in an oxidizing flame gas burner until the flame ceases to be interrogated in green color... When introduced into the burner flame, the flame turns green due to the formation of volatile copper halide. This is a very sensitive test for C1, Br and I, but much less sensitive for F. Organic cyanides, and in the absence of halogens, also give this reaction.

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Lovers of detective stories have heard about such a poison as potassium cyanide. The smell of almonds, the tangled story, the murders - a classic set of famous bestsellers. However, books are not always a true reflection of reality. In fact, now human poisoning with potassium cyanide is rare and occurs most often in production.

Potassium cyanide is the most famous salt of hydrocyanic acid

About poison

Hydrocyanic acid

What is potassium cyanide? There is a group of cyanides, which are derivatives of hydrocyanic acid. This acid is a colorless liquid with a strong almond odor. In the seeds of some plants (peaches, cherries, apricots, plums) there is a substance called glucoside. At the time of decomposition, the glucoside releases hydrocyanic acid. Therefore, if you eat too many of these berries or fruits, you can get poisoned.

Potassium cyanide is the most famous salt of hydrocyanic acid. Like other cyanides, it is poisonous.

About the features of potassium cyanide

Lethal dose potassium cyanide for humans - 1.7 mg / kg. But this does not mean that if this dose is ingested, a person will definitely die. Sometimes people survived after significant doses due to the characteristics of the body. This poison has interesting properties. If a person who has drunk poison has a stomach filled with food that contains a lot of sulfur (meat, eggs, etc.) or carbohydrates (cakes, pastries), then the poison is absorbed slowly.

Therefore, Grigory Rasputin did not die immediately, as soon as poison was poured on him. His stomach was full of pastries, which prevented the poison from absorbing. What does he look like? It is a white crystalline powder, similar to granulated sugar. Its peculiarity is the strong smell of almonds.

In the seeds of some plants (almond, apricot, peach, cherry, plum, bird cherry, laurel) there is a substance called glucoside

The use of potassium cyanide

This poison is isolated from some plants or produced synthetically. The scope of its use is varied, therefore, the small risk of poisoning is not paid attention to. The use of poison is possible both in industry and in agriculture.

• Application in the production of plastics and other products.
• The poison is contained in the reagents that are needed for the development of the photo.
• Cyanide salts have found use in working with minerals.
• The poison in the form of gases is necessary for processing grain storage, and getting rid of rodents.
• There was also a not entirely humane use of this poison during the war. The Nazis produced the Cyclone gas - B.

Poisoning

How does the poison act on the human body, what symptoms do the patient develop? If hydrocyanic acid compounds get into it, then the enzyme cytochrome oxidase is blocked, This leads to the fact that the body does not absorb oxygen, which is why a person dies from asphyxia.

How long does the poison last?

How quickly does the poison act, and a person dies after being poisoned? Does this poison have an antidote? The properties, the effect of the poison on the human body depends on its concentration:

• 0.1 mg / l - death within an hour;
• 0.12 - 0.15 mg / l - death within half an hour;
• 0.2 mg / l - death in 10 minutes.

Symptoms of poisoning make themselves felt after a couple of seconds, if cyanide has entered through the lungs: the victim has inhaled vapors. If he got through the stomach, then the symptoms appear after a few minutes. When high doses of potassium cyanide enter the human body, the action of the poison is instantaneous: the person immediately loses consciousness, it is paralyzed respiratory system, refuses to work the heart. The poison also penetrates the skin. Then death occurs in 40 - 90 minutes.

At the first stage of poisoning, a feeling that squeezed chest

Poisoning symptoms

If a relatively small dose of potassium cyanide has entered the human body, death does not occur immediately, the victim can still be saved. The symptoms of poisoning are as follows. The action of the poison is divided into four stages.

• The first stage, symptoms: a sore throat, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, a taste of metal, the mouth grows numb, saliva flows, vomits, even vomits, dizzy, a feeling that the chest is squeezed, a person's breathing is frequent. If the victim goes out into the street, he will feel better.
• The second stage, symptoms: a person is lethargic, his chest squeezes more and more, shortness of breath, eyes bulge, pupils dilate, a person experiences a feeling of fear.
• The third stage, symptoms: seizures, a person bites the tongue, involuntary bowel movements and Bladder, fainting.
• The fourth stage, symptoms: all reflexes and sensitivity are lost, breathing is rare, confused, then stops.

Chronic poisoning symptoms

Poisoning does not always develop quickly. If a person works with cyanide compounds, then he may have chronic poisoning. What are the symptoms of the effect of the poison?

• often hurts and dizzy;
• insomnia;
• memory deteriorates;
• heart hurts;
• a person is losing weight;
• frequent urination;
• sweat is released.

These are not all the symptoms, there are many of them: both a neurasthenic symptom and diseases thyroid gland, and peeling of the skin, itching, etc.

Poisoning sign: a slight smell of almonds

How to help the victim

First aid

If you find and help a person in time, introduce an antidote, he can be saved. How to understand that the victim took exactly potassium cyanide? He has a slight almond scent from his mouth. For the experienced physician, the symptoms of poisoning will also lead to the idea of ​​poison. The hospital will take blood for analysis and determine the amount of cyanide in the blood, so the smell is not the only way to suspect poisoning. What to do? You need to call the ambulance and report your suspicions.

• Take the person out into the street.
• Rid the patient from clothing if it is saturated with poison. It is better to cut and remove so that the poisoning does not intensify. Wipe the victim's body with soap and water.
• If the poison has entered the human body with food, drink, it is necessary to rinse the stomach: give a lot of drink and induce vomiting.

If he stops breathing, you can only do chest compressions. Artificial respiration is undesirable, otherwise the person who provides assistance will also be poisoned.

There is an antidote against potassium cyanide

Treatment

If a person is poisoned, the properties of the poison are such that urgent medical attention is needed.... The physician will immediately try to alleviate the patient's condition, make it easier for him to breathe, using a tube in the larynx, etc. But the main help is the antidote. The antidote must be injected into a vein, it can be taken orally. There is an antidote against potassium cyanide, and more than one. They are divided into three groups.

• The first antidote is sugar: a doctor injects glucose into a vein. It converts cyanide into non-hazardous compounds.
• The second known antidote is sodium thiosulfate. As soon as it enters the body, the poison is converted into thiocyanates, which are safe for humans.
• The third antidote is drugs (nitroglycerin, amyl nitrite, methylene blue) that act with poison and form cyanmethemoglobin.

If the victim managed to administer the antidote immediately after the poison has entered the body (the first minutes), he is saved. An hour later, the treatment is repeated. After severe poisoning, the victim will not immediately return to normal. Within 2-3 weeks, he has changes in the neuropsychic sphere, and for a whole month the pressure will jump, tachycardia and pain in the heart are possible.

Prevention of poisoning

You cannot buy potassium cyanide at a pharmacy, even with a prescription. It is made only in special laboratories. Therefore, poisoning occurs at work. The only prevention is compliance with safety measures. The company must ensure that employees know the safety measures and comply with them.

If the concentration of hydrocyanic acid exceeds the norm, an alarm is triggered. Another important point is preparing employees for non-standard situations. They must react quickly in case of poisoning and provide the victim with the necessary medical assistance.

Potassium cyanide is the most infamous poison. He gained his fame thanks to the authors of detective novels, who often "used" this poisonous substance in their works. However, in nature there are poisons that act much faster and more efficiently than potassium cyanide. Obviously, the popularity of this substance is also due to the availability of purchase at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries, when it could be easily purchased at any pharmacy. But what are cyanides today? What types of toxic substances from this family are there? Where are they used and is it possible to get poisoning with this poison today? It is about these questions and there will be a speech in this article.

What it is

Potassium cyanide is chemical compound, derived from hydrocyanic acid. The cyanide formula is KCN. This substance was first obtained by the Swedish chemist Karl Wilhelm Scheele in 1782, and in the middle 19th century German chemist Robert Wilhelm Bunsen developed a technique for the industrial synthesis of poison. It was assumed that this substance will be used not for the purpose of killing their own kind, but for the control of agricultural pests and in the leather industry. Hydrocyanic acid derivatives are often used as a coloring pigment in paints.

Nevertheless, at the beginning of the 20th century, the French military first used cyanide as a chemical weapon. Despite the fact that the gas attack in the battles on the banks of the Seine did not bring the expected result, some German scientists considered the "prospects" of using cyanide in military operations. During the Second World War, the Nazis were already making extensive use of more advanced modifications of cyanide-based poisonous substances in concentration camps and in some areas of the front.

Cyanide types

Most people probably know what potassium cyanide is and what effect it has on the human body. However, few people know that the poisonous family can contain both organic and inorganic cyanides.

The first group is mainly used in pharmacology and agriculture (in the fight against harmful insects). The second group is widely used in chemical industry and photo printing, leather and textile production, as well as in the mining and electroplating industry.

What does it look like

People who know what cyanide is describe it as a translucent powder with a crystalline structure. This substance is completely soluble in water. However, due to the fact that stronger acids are able to easily displace hydrocyanic acid from the compound, this poisonous substance is considered an extremely unstable compound. As a result of the ongoing reactions, the elements of the cyano group CN volatilize, therefore the initial compound loses its poisonous properties... Humid air can have a negative effect on the toxic effect.

Smell

It is believed that potassium cyanide has a specific smell of rancid almonds, however, not all people are able to catch it. This is due to the individual characteristics of the olfactory apparatus of each person.

Where is cyanide found

What is cyanide in nature and where can it be found? In its pure form, cyanide potassium does not exist in nature, however, poisonous compounds of cyano groups - amygdalin, can be found in apricot, cherry, peach and plum pits. They can be found in almonds. Elderberry leaves and shoots also contain amygdalin.

The danger to the human body when using these products is hydrocyanic acid, which is formed during the breakdown of amygdalin. Death can occur after consuming only one gram of the substance, which corresponds to about 100 grams of apricot kernels.

In everyday life, cyanide can be found in reagents used in photographic laboratories, as well as in preparations for cleaning jewelry. Some of this substance is used in insect traps. Cyanides are added to artistic paints having azure shades. Through interaction with iron, also found in gouaches and watercolors, they give a deep blue color.

Risk of poisoning

Hydrocyanic acid salts and cyanides - very toxic substances, which can cause the most severe forms of poisoning. People who work in mining and ore processing mines and in electroplating shops are most likely to get poisoned by cyanide. Here, potassium or sodium cyanides are used in technological processes when metals are catalyzed.

The risk of getting poisoned by such poisonous substances is also among people who are in the zone of toxic emissions from these enterprises. Thus, in the territory of Romania and Hungary in the early 2000s, as a result of accidental emissions from mining and processing enterprises into the Danube River, residents of the vicinity of the floodplain suffered.

Employees of special laboratories in which these substances are used as reagents are at risk of getting toxic cyanide poisoning.

Human exposure

Under the influence of the poison, the cell enzyme is blocked - cytochrome oxidase, which is responsible for the assimilation of oxygen in the cell. As a result, the cells are filled with oxygen, but they cannot assimilate it. This leads to the fact that in the body there is a violation of vital metabolic processes. The effect of such an impact is tantamount to suffocation.

Cyanides are poisonous if ingested with food or water, poisoning can result from inhalation of the vapors of the solution. Cyanides can penetrate damaged skin.

Even in small quantities, they are extremely dangerous for the health of living organisms. Due to their high toxicity, the use of these drugs is controlled with particular rigor.

Poisoning symptoms

Mild cyanide poisoning is accompanied by sore throat, dizziness, drooling, vomiting, and panic attack. In more severe forms, bitterness in the mouth increases, heart pains appear, a person loses consciousness, convulsions and paralysis of the respiratory tract begin. Severe poisoning is usually accompanied by uncontrolled urinary incontinence and bowel movements, excessive redness of the skin and mucous membranes. After these manifestations, death occurs.

First aid

To provide adequate assistance, it is necessary first of all to establish how the poison could have entered the victim's body. If the poisoning occurs through the skin, then it is necessary to change clothes, on which, most likely, particles of the poisonous substance remained. The victim himself must be wiped off with soapy water.

If the poison has entered the body along with food, then first of all it is necessary to induce vomiting and rinse the stomach. To do this you need to drink a large number of water with the addition of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) or baking soda... After washing the stomach, the victim is given any sweet drink. To relieve the symptoms of poisoning, the victim must be removed to fresh air.

If the victim is unconscious, it is necessary to monitor his heartbeat and breathing. If there is no breathing, artificial respiration should be given. However, a person conducting such events should exclude possible poisoning with poison vapors and seek medical help.

In any case, you need to call ambulance... Only medical worker with special education and experience can take adequate treatment measures. Arriving doctors must be informed that the cause of the poisoning is hydrocyanic acid. In this case, the doctor will inject intravenously an antidote - sodium thiosulfate. The antidote helps to reduce the harmful effects of the poison. If necessary, the doctor will take resuscitation measures and hospitalize the victim for further treatment.

Antidotes

The lethal dose for humans is considered to be 17 mg per kilogram. total weight body. Death occurs just a few minutes after a sufficient amount of poison has entered the body. However, this number is deemed to be conditional. The degree of poisoning depends on the route of ingestion, the physical characteristics of the person and the food consumed. With regular ingestion of small doses of cyanide poison, poisoning occurs gradually, over a long time.

It has been proven that when cyanide enters the body, ordinary glucose is a kind of antidote to the toxic property of the substance. Sugar promotes instant oxidation of hydrocyanic acid compounds and potassium salts. Therefore, people who come into contact with toxic compounds usually carry several lumps of sugar with them. At the first symptoms of poisoning, they eat it in order to neutralize the action of poisonous compounds.