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Cyanide:
y Cyanide contains a carbon atom connected to a
nitrogen atom, hence the chemical formula CN. y Cyanides can be manufactured but they also occur in nature. y In the natural environment, cyanide containing chemicals are produced by a wide range of organisms and plants as part of their normal metabolism. Bacteria and fungi are known producers of cyanide. y A few species of centipedes, millipedes, insects, beetles, mothsand butterflies secrete cyanide for defensive purposes in repelling predators such as toads and birds.
colorless -to-blue liquid (also called hydrocyanicacid). It rapidly becomes a gas that can produce death in minutes if breathed. Hydrogen cyanide is used in making fibers, plastics, dyes, pesticides, and other chemicals, and as a fumigant to kill rats. It is also used in electroplating metals and in developing photographic film
1mg/kg.
Causes:
y Fires: Smoke inhalation during the burning of
common substances such as rubber, plastic, and silk can create cyanide fumes y Plants containing cyanide include apricot pits and a type of potato called cassava. Fortunately, only chronic or massive ingestion of any of these plants or pits can lead to serious cyanide poisoning. y Industrial: Occupational exposures du Metal extraction in mining, electroplating in jewelry production, photography, plastics and rubber manufacturing.
Causes
y Medical - Cyanide exposures can result
from alternative and standard medical treatments. y Sodium nitroprusside, a medication used in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies, contains five cyanide groups per molecule.
Initial y symptoms are nonspecific and include excitement, dizziness,nausea, vomiting, headache, and weakness. As poisoningprogresses, drowsiness, tetanic spasm, lockjaw, convulsions,hallucinations, loss of consciousness, and coma may occur
of shortness of breath and chest tightness. Pulmonary findings mayinclude rapid breathing and increased depth of respirations. Aspoisoning progresses, respirations become slow and gasping; abluish skin color may or may not be present. Accumulation of fluid in the lungs may develop.
exposure.
abnormalities, but clinical tests revealed decreases in vitamin B12 absorption and folate levels and statistically significant increases in thyroidstimulating hormone levels
y Hydrogen cyanide (AC) is a pale blue or colorless liquid below 78 F and a colorless gas at higher temperatures. It has a bitter almond odor and is highly volatile and flammable at room temperature. y Sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are white powders which may have a bitter almond-like odor. In the presence of moisture, either can form hydrogen cyanide. y Cyanogen compounds can generate cyanides. Cyanogen chloride (CK) is a colorless liquefied gas that is heavier than air and has a pungent, highly irritating odor. It is soluble in water and organic solvents.
Cyanide Sources
Some of the common plants that contain cyanide are: y cassava y sweet potatoes y corn y lima beans y almonds, y Radishes y cabbage,
y Cauliflower y Broccoli y turnips y Lettuce y kidney beans y and it can be found in the pits or seeds of cherries, plums, apricots, pears and apples.
Sources:
y Smoke inhalation from structural fires y Materials such as wool, silk, and synthetic polymers
contain carbon and nitrogen and may produce cyanide gas when exposed to high temperatures y intravenous antihypertensive sodium nitroprusside.
Uses:
y Cyanide and cyanide-containing compounds are used y y y y y y
in : pesticides and fumigants plastics, photographic developing mining. Dye, textile and pharmaceutical industries also use cyanides. Cyanide is also used in the manufacture of nylon, plasticglass, perfume, soaps, fertilizers, paints
Importance:
of thiocyanate within the liver. y catalyzes the conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate, and thiocyanate is then excreted via the kidneys
y In general, Cyanide has a high affinity to form complex with metal y In side the body, CN ions form complexes with metallic cations at the catalytic sites of several important enzymes thus inhibiting their function. The most severe, life-threatening clinical effects are caused by binding to the ferric (+3)ions of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (cytochrome a-a3). Cytochrome a-a3 mediates the transfer of electrons to molecular oxygen, the final step in oxidative phosphorylation.
enzyme responsible for oxidative phosphorylation, and paralyzes cellular respiration. Because the tissues cannot use oxygen that is delivered, aerobic metabolism ceases. y the tissues cannot use oxygen that is delivered, aerobic metabolism ceases