Hydrogen Cyanide HCN

Introduction of hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound which can take the form of a colourless gas with a bitter almond smell, or a particularly volatile white-blueish liquid – its aqueous solution is called hydrocyanic acid. Very soluble in water and ethanol, hydrogen cyanide is a product which is corrosive to steel and can attack some rubbers, plastics and coatings. It is also a highly toxic compound which can be fatal and very flammable and form explosive mixtures in contact with the air.

Professional use of hydrogen cyanide (HCN)
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is used as an intermediate product in the industrial sector for producing chemical products such as cyanuric chloride, cyanides (notably used to extract gold), methyl methacrylate (production of acrylic plastic), adiponitrile or triazines (production of pesticides). It is also used to produce insecticides and rodenticides.

Risks of hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide is a gas that is extremely toxic when inhaled (for humans, the fatal dose is 1.5 mg/kg in liquid form, 100 mg/kg for cutaneous exposure and 546 ppm after being inhaled for 10 minutes). It is also very flammable in its liquid and vapour state. Hydrogen cyanide is also very dangerous for the environment.

Effects on the body
Nervous system disorders, headaches, vomiting, cold sweats, low blood pressure, convulsions, paralysis, respiratory arrest in case of acute intoxication (exposure lasting several minutes)
Vertigo and chest tightness, convulsions, pulmonary oedema, cardio-vascular arrest (short exposure)
Irritation, pain, redness, oedema affecting the eye, even corneal opacity and blindness.