Approximately 60% of people can detect the bitter, almond odor of cyanide. Smoke inhalation from household fires is responsible for most cases of cyanide poisoning in middle and high income countries. Some types of bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants also synthesize cyanide as a source of nitrogen and as a self-defense mechanism.Īdditionally, cyanide is present in smoke from fire, cigarettes, and some industrial settings. However, the quantities of cyanide in these foods are sufficiently low that people do not have to avoid consuming them. It also inhibits other important enzymes and causes damage to the nervous system.īy disrupting cellular respiration, it prevents the body from using oxygen and denies cells of a vital energy source. What does cyanide do to the body?Ĭyanide disrupts the process of cellular respiration by binding to an enzyme called cytochrome oxidase.
It also answers some common questions about cyanide poisoning.īelow are the answers to some common questions about cyanide poisoning. This article discusses how cyanide poisoning takes place and considers its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Out of 3,165 human exposures during 1993–2002, only 2.5% were fatal.
However, deaths from cyanide poisoning are rare. About 35% of all fire victims have toxic levels of cyanide in their blood. People first used cyanide as a chemical weapon during World War I, and various dictators and terrorists have used it since then.Įxposure to high levels of cyanide can result in cyanide poisoning, with fire being the most common source of exposure. Alternatively, it can be in a crystal form, such as potassium cyanide (KCN) or sodium cyanide (NaCN). It can exist as a colorless gas, such as cyanogen chloride (CNCl) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Cyanide is a fast acting deadly chemical that many people know to be a poison. It can be fatal and needs urgent medical attention.Ĭyanides refer to any compounds that comprise the carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond in their structure. Symptoms include vomiting, headache, dizziness, and confusion. Cyanide poisoning results from exposure to various forms of cyanide, present in some types of smoke, industrial fumes, drugs, foods, and more.
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