Sodium Cyanide: Health Hazards and First Aid Measures

Sodium cyanide is a highly toxic chemical that poses severe health risks to humans. This article aims to comprehensively explore the health hazards associated with sodium cyanide and outline the appropriate first aid measures to be taken in case of exposure.

Health Hazards

Sodium cyanide works by inhibiting respiratory enzymes, leading to intracellular asphyxiation. Acute poisoning can occur through inhalation, oral ingestion, or percutaneous absorption. Ingesting as little as 50 - 100mg of Sodium Cyanide can potentially cause sudden death.

For those who do not die instantly, the clinical course typically unfolds in four stages:

1. Prodromal stage: Symptoms include mucosal irritation, increased and deeper respiration, fatigue, headache. When ingested, there is a numbness on the tip of the tongue and in the oral cavity.

2. Dyspnea stage: Characterized by breathing difficulties, elevated blood pressure, and a bright red appearance of the skin and mucous membranes.

3. Convulsion stage: Seizures, coma, and respiratory failure occur during this stage.

4. Paralysis stage: At this final stage, there is total muscle relaxation, followed by cessation of breathing and heartbeat, ultimately leading to death.

Long - term exposure to low levels of cyanide can result in the development of the neurasthenic syndrome, irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, and may even cause skin rashes.

First Aid Measures

Skin Contact

Immediately remove contaminated clothing and thoroughly rinse the affected area with running water or a 5% sodium thiosulfate solution for at least 20 minutes. Seek medical attention promptly.

Eye Contact

Promptly lift the eyelids and rinse the eyes thoroughly with a large amount of running water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes. After that, seek professional medical help.

Inhalation

Quickly move the affected person away from the contaminated site to an area with fresh air. Ensure that the airway remains unobstructed. If the individual is having trouble breathing, provide oxygen. In case of respiratory and cardiac arrest, immediately initiate artificial respiration (avoid mouth - to - mouth resuscitation) and external chest compressions. Administer amyl nitrite inhalation and arrange for immediate medical treatment.

Ingestion

Have the victim drink plenty of warm water to induce vomiting. Then, perform gastric lavage with a 1:5000 potassium permanganate solution or a 5% sodium thiosulfate solution. Without delay, transfer the victim to a medical facility for further treatment.

Given the extreme toxicity of Sodium cyanide, it is crucial to exercise the utmost caution when handling this chemical. In the event of any exposure, rapid implementation of the appropriate first aid measures can significantly improve the chances of survival and reduce the severity of harm.