What is sodium cyanide?

Like potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide is considered to be extremely toxic, just a small amount can kill an adult in a snap.

So how to identify and handle promptly, save lives of victims in a snap?

What is sodium cyanide compound?

According to Wikipedia, Sodium cyanide has the chemical formula: NaCN , which is an extremely toxic chemical compound . Immediate medical attention is needed in the case of cyanide poisoning, as it is very quickly fatal. Like the similar compound, Potassium cyanide, NaCN smells similar to almond, but not everyone can smell it due to genetic characteristics.

Like potassium cyanide, this compound is used for plating or polishing chemically. They are widely used in jewelry industry, in gold mining industry to separate gold from gold ore.

Sodium cyanide is a deadly, toxic substance that requires only an extremely low dose.

How dangerous is sodium cyanide?

Assoc.Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Con (Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences, VNU) stated that Sodium cyanide is a toxic, lethal substance requiring only extremely low doses . Along with potassium cyanide , the sodium cyanide compound is listed as one of the top poison in the world.

Normally, when exposed to Sodium cyanide will be poisoned even if the poisoned person does not know he or she is infected with cyanide. Here are the identification signs, which are divided into 3 phases:

1. Stage 1: The agitation stage, the infected person will have signs of anxiety, agitation, rapid breathing and confusion.
2. Stage 2: The infected person will start to have convulsions, trouble breathing, lower blood pressure and hyperventilation.
3. Stage 3: Also the last stage: Reduced muscle tone and loss of reflexes, cardiovascular collapse, hypoxemia in the blood and death.

If signs of the above are detected, a helper should quickly take the person who is poisoned with sodium cyanide to the nearest medical facility for timely emergency. This chemical is a poison that can react quickly, within 2 hours if not treated promptly will cause death. These signs of chemical poisoning need to be very attentive to quickly detect and treat toxins promptly.

Cyanide compounds are generally extremely dangerous. When poisoned in large amounts, the brain and heart will be seriously damaged before leading to death.

How to give first aid when poisoning with sodium cyanide?

According to Wikipedia, when poisoned with sodium cyanide, it is necessary to first aid the victim by breathing in oxygen. In workshops where sodium cyanide is used, Potassium cyanide is often available with a first aid kit in case of toxicity, including amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, methylene blue and sodium thiosulfate.

Glucose has the ability to significantly slow down the toxic process of cyanide compounds, while protecting cells by creating chemical bonds with sodium cyanide. However, it is important to remember that glucose is not able to detox when poisoned with sodium cyanide.

Assoc.Prof. Pham Due Due (Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital) warns that, when cyanide poisoning occurs, people cannot handle it themselves but have to hurry to the medical facility for intensive treatment and use. antidote .

When going to the emergency room, place the patient on their side safely (with the lower half lying on their stomach, the side tilted to the side) when the patient has seizures. Do not allow the patient to fall.Do not use hard objects to insert the victim's mouth into convulsions, but should be replaced with a soft object such as a towel .