Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical WarfareIntroductionCyanide has been used as a poison for thousandsof years. In World War I, however, possibly because ofinefficient delivery, cyanide was not highly successfulas a chemical warfare agent. The effects of high-dosecyanide are quick, and death occurs within minutes.Antidotes are effective if administered in time (althoughantidotes are unlikely to be available in timewith high-dose exposures).Cyanide is ubiquitous. It is present in some foodsand in the products of combustion of synthetic materials,and it is widely used in industry. The cyanidesof military interest are the volatile liquids hydrocyanicacid (or hydrogen cyanide [HCN], North AtlanticTreaty Organization [NATO] designation: AC) andcyanogen chloride (NATO designation: CK); however,a great number of cyanide compounds actually releaseactive cyanide. Cyanides are stored and used in eitherliquid form or as solid salts (Table 11-1).HISTORICAL USEDiscovery and Ancient Use of CyanideSince the time of ancient Egypt, plants containingcyanide derivatives, such as bitter almonds, cherry laurelleaves, peach pits, and cassava, have been used aslethal poisons. 1,2 Peach pits used in judicial executionsby the ancient Egyptians are on display in the LouvreMuseum, Paris, and an Egyptian papyrus refers tothe “penalty of the peach.” 2 The Romans used cherrylaurel leaves as a method of execution (also knownTABLE 11-1CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CYANIDESProperties Hydrogen Cyanide (AC) Cyanogen Chloride (CK)Chemical and PhysicalBoiling Point 25.7°C 12.9°CVapor Pressure 740 mm Hg 1,000 mg HgDensityVapor 0.99 at 20°C 2.1Liquid 0.68 g/mL at 25°C 1.18 g/mL at 20°CSolid na crystal: 0.93 g/mL at –40°CVolatility 1.1 × 10 6 mg/m 3 at 25°C 2.6 × 10 6 mg/m 3 at 12.9°CAppearance and Odor Gas: Odor of bitter almonds or peach kernals Bitter almonds scent; colorless gas orliquid; irritating to upper airway, eyesSolubilityIn water complete at 25°C 6.9 g/100 mL at 20°CIn other solvents completely miscible in almost all organic Most organic solvents (mixtures aresolventsunstable)Environmental and BiologicalDetection ICAD; M254A1 kit m256A1 kitPersistencyIn soil < 1 h nonpersistentOn material low nonpersistentSkin Decontamination Water; soap and water water; soap and waterBiologically Effective AmountVapor (mg•min/m 3 )Liquid (mg/kg)LC t : 2,500–5,000 (time-dependent)50lD (skin): 10050LC t : 11,00050lD (skin): 10050ICAD: individual chemical agent detectorLCt 50: the vapor or aerosol exposure (concentration • time) lethal to 50% of the exposed populationLD 50: the dose lethal to 50% of the exposed populationNA: not applicable372