What is Cyanide?
Cyanide is one of the deadliest poisons, which can cause death to those who come into contact within a few minutes or hours of exposure, depending on the level and route of exposure. When cyanide enters the body, it prevents cells from utilizing oxygen, causing a stop to the cellular oxidative phosphorylation process that generates ATP. Since cyanide can enter the body through various routes, such as skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion, cyanide poisoning can manifest many clinical features, including itching, abnormal redness of the skin, swelling, confusion, headache, high or low blood pressure, seizure, loss of consciousness, vomiting, kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.
Cyanide in Your Daily Life
While cyanide may not be considered a common substance in everyday life, it permeates our lives in ways we may not realize. For instance, the seeds or pits of certain fruits, such as apples, apricots, peaches, pears, and bitter almonds, contain cyanide and should be avoided. Cyanide is also present in raw bamboo shoots and cassava; boiling or cooking them is imperative before consumption. Additionally, natural cyanide is present in tobacco, which may explain why a study found that the level of cyanide in cigarette smokers’ blood is 2.5 times higher than that of non-smokers.
Symptoms
The symptoms of cyanide poisoning vary depending on the route and severity of exposure. Listed below are examples of symptoms caused by cyanide exposure:
- Itching
- Abnormal redness of the skin
- Swelling
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- Altered sense of taste
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
- Seizure
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Kidney failure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart failure
Chronic Cyanide Exposure
People exposed to small amounts of cyanide over an extended period may experience symptoms such as headache, abnormal taste, vomiting, chest pain, stomach pain, and anxiety.
Chronic exposure to cyanide can lead to progressive vision loss in male cigarette smokers from natural cyanide present in tobacco. Overconsumption of cassava can also cause chronic exposure to cyanide, resulting in symptoms such as numbness, poor muscle control, hearing loss, and optic atrophy. It's crucial to avoid regularly consuming cassava.
How to Protect Yourself from Cyanide
For cyanide poisoning prevention, it's essential to follow these guidelines:
- Avoid ingesting the seeds of apples, apricots, peaches, pears, and bitter almonds, as they contain cyanide.
- Ensure eating only adequately cooked cassavas and bamboo shoots. Although the amount of natural cyanide may not always be lethal, with repeated exposure, it could be harmful to our health.
- If the source of cyanide poisoning is from combustion, crawl on the floor to avoid the toxic gas and immediately evacuate the area.
Cyanide Exposure First Aid
Skin Contact
- If cyanide comes into contact with the skin, it's essential to immediately wash the affected area with clean water and soap for at least 15 minutes. Rescuers should wear protective suits and respirators during the decontamination process, if available
- Remove cyanide-contaminated clothing as fast as possible to avoid further skin absorption. Use scissors to cut away contaminated clothing.
Eye Contact
- If cyanide enters the eyes, flush / rinse the chemical out of your eyes for at least 15-20 minutes. Do not rub your eyes. Remove contact lenses before washing your eyes. See a doctor as soon as possible.
Inhalation or Ingestion
- Immediately call an ambulance for emergency medical services since cyanide poisoning requires prompt first aid and medical attention.
- Move the affected person to a well-ventilated area, e.g., outdoors or near an open window for fresh air.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
- If the person is unconscious and not breathing, administer CPR immediately. However, avoid giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as this could expose the rescuers to harm.
- Wait for the medical help to arrive and prepare to give information about the person’s symptoms.