How dangerous is the poison in the explosion in Tianjin?

Sodium cyanide exists in conditions that are usually in the form of white crystalline or small granules, easily fatal if inhaled or swallowed.

The unbelievably dangerous level of poison in the Tianjin explosion

Sodium cyanide is mainly used in the production of chemicals, separation of gold and silver in the ore and electroplating industry . When dissolved or burned, this dangerous toxin releases hydrogen cyanide gas and causes obstructing the body's ability to use oxygen. Exposure to sodium cyanide can cause death very quickly, systematically affecting the whole body, especially those sensitive to low oxygen concentrations such as the central nervous system (brain), heart system vessels (heart and blood vessels) and respiratory system (lungs).

Sodium cyanide.(Photo: diytrade.com)

Hydrogen cyanide has a bitter almond smell (sometimes described as an old shoe smell), but most of us can't detect it and the smell of gas doesn't give a warning about toxic levels. Sodium cyanide does not smell when in a dry state.

Sodium cyanide can be released into the atmosphere in the form of droplets, aerosol. They can contaminate water , food, agricultural products and harm humans through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, skin or eye contact.

The biogenic sodium cyanide hydrogen cyanide is flammable, toxic and corrosive when exposed to acids or water. Containers of sodium cyanide will explode if water or heat resistance occurs.

Affects people

Symptoms after inhaling hydrogen cyanide gas produced from sodium cyanide will appear from a few seconds to a few minutes and cause death in a very short time. During short contact (less than 8 hours), initial toxicity symptoms include dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, rapid breathing, suffocation, anxiety . Severe intoxicated people will be comatose , muscle spasms, convulsions, pulmonary edema and death. Signs of hypoxia may be due to sodium cyanide poisoning.

If exposed to eyes, toxins cause redness, pain and severe burns. For the gastrointestinal tract, it causes nausea, burning or corrosion into the esophagus and stomach. People exposed through the skin will experience irritation, skin damage, sores, burning sensations and pain.

The explosion is equivalent to more than 20 tons of TNT, causing more than 700 people to be injured and thousands of people homeless.(Photo: BBC)

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the decontamination process can be done by locating the hazardous area and taking advantage of the wind to release air. Rescue workers or people present must wear personal protective clothing (PPE). Medical cleaning solutions, water and soft brushes will be useful tools for decontamination from PPE. At this point, the victim needs to be taken out quickly, remove clothes and clean the skin contact with toxins then take to the medical center.

China for the first time confirmed the presence of sodium cyanide poison at the chemical warehouse explosion in Tianjin Industrial Park. The amount of sodium cyanide stored here is 700 tons, 70 times higher than the permitted level.

According to CNN, toxic containers were disabled by using hydrogen peroxide and some other measures. One-meter-high walls were erected in case of a chemical reaction when it rained.

Wen Wurui, head of the Tianjin Environmental Protection Agency, said on August 13 that chemical concentrations were higher than normal, but they would not harm humans unless exposed to long-term exposure. . Until yesterday, the level of toxicity has decreased to normal levels and not dangerous to health.

The shocking explosion at the dangerous cargo warehouse in Tianjin on the night of 12/8 took the lives of 112 people. 95 people are still missing.