Group 1

Cyanide:
 Cyanide contains a carbon atom connected to a
nitrogen atom, hence the chemical formula CN.
 Cyanides can be manufactured but they also occur
in nature.
 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.
 A few species of centipedes, millipedes, insects,
beetles, mothsand butterflies secrete cyanide for
defensive purposes in repelling predators such as
toads and birds.
What is hydrogen cyanide?
 At room temperature, hydrogen cyanide is a volatile,
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
What is Cyanide Poisoning?
 A condition that results from exposure to cyanide.

 The lethal dose of Hydrogen Cyanide in Humans is

1mg/kg.
Causes:
 Fires: Smoke inhalation during the burning of
common substances such as rubber, plastic, and silk
can create cyanide fumes
 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.
 Industrial: Occupational exposures du Metal
extraction in mining, electroplating in jewelry
production, photography, plastics and rubber
manufacturing.
Causes
 Medical - Cyanide exposures can result
from alternative and standard medical
treatments.
 Sodium nitroprusside, a medication used
in the treatment of hypertensive
emergencies, contains five cyanide groups
per molecule.
Acute Cyanide Poisoning
 CNS signs and symptoms usually develop rapidly.
Initial
 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
 After systemic poisoning begins, victims may complain
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.
Chronic Cyanide Poisoning
 Exposure over long period of time

 Symptoms will have more gradual onset

Chronic Cyanide Poisoning:
 chronic low exposure to hydrogen cyanide can cause
neurological, respiratory,c ardiovascular, and thyroid
effects.

 CNS symptoms include(headache, dizziness, nausea,

and bitter almond) -low-, moderate-, or high-exposure
through work histories.
Chronic Cyanide Poisoning:
 Some symptoms persisted for 7 months or more after
exposure.

 None of the workers had palpable thyroid gland

abnormalities, but clinical tests revealed decreases in
vitamin B12 absorption and folate levels and
statistically significant increases in thyroid-
stimulating hormone levels
Physical and Chemical Properties:
 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.
 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.
 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  Cauliflower
plants that contain  Broccoli
cyanide are:
 turnips
 cassava
 Lettuce
 sweet potatoes
 kidney beans
 corn
 and it can be found in the
 lima beans
pits or seeds of cherries,
 almonds, plums, apricots, pears and
 Radishes apples.
 cabbage,
Sources:
 Smoke inhalation from structural fires
 Materials such as wool, silk, and synthetic polymers
contain carbon and nitrogen and may produce cyanide
gas when exposed to high temperatures
 intravenous antihypertensive sodium nitroprusside.
Uses:
 Cyanide and cyanide-containing compounds are used
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:
 primary mechanism of cyanide excretion is formation
of thiocyanate within the liver.
 catalyzes the conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate, and
thiocyanate is then excreted via the kidneys
 In general, Cyanide has a high affinity to form complex
with metal
 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.
 Cyanide binds with cytochrome oxidase, the
enzyme responsible for oxidative
phosphorylation, and paralyzes cellular respiration.
Because the tissues cannot use oxygen that is
delivered, aerobic metabolism ceases.
 the tissues cannot use oxygen that is delivered, aerobic
metabolism ceases