|
Compound Name |
Hydrogen cyanide,
hyrocyanic acid, prussic acid, AC (military code) |
|
Formula |
HCN |
|
Molar Mass |
27.02 g |
|
Melting Point |
13.2 C |
|
Boiling Point |
25.7 C |
|
Freezing Point |
-13.3 C |
|
Decomposition Point |
66 C |
|
Density as liquid |
0.687 g/cc |
|
Density as a Vapor |
0.93 times the weight
of air |
How Lethal is Hydrogen Cyanide??
|
Concentration (mg/m3) |
Effect |
|
300 |
Immediately Lethal |
|
200 |
Lethal after 10
minutes |
|
150 |
Lethal after 30
minutes |
|
120-150 |
Fatal after 30-60
minutes |
|
50-60 |
Endurable for 20
minutes to 1 hour without effect |
|
20-40 |
Light Symptoms after
several hours |
A form of Hydrogen Cyanide known as Zyklon-B was used in the Nazi gas Chambers during the holocaust. This gas chamber at Auschwitz was one of the chambers that used Zyklon-B. The gas was pumped in through the window. Due to the closed space of the chamber the gas could not disperse and a lethal dose was administered almost immediatly
How hydrogen cyanide works as a lethal agent:
When Hydrogen Cyanide is absorbed into the blood stream, either through absorption or inhalation, it acts upon the enzyme cytochrome oxidase. When the HCN reacts with the enzyme it disalows the transfer of oxygen from the red blood cells to organs in the body. The body deteriorates quickly due to lack of oxygen and a build up of carbon dioxide, eventually causing asphyxiation. In very high doses Hydrogen Cyanide will cause the blood vessels to rapidly contract, simulating a heart attack.
