Hydrogen cyanide decontamination

Hydrogen Cyanide Decontamination. Because of its physical properties, hydrogen cyanide will not remain for long in its liquid state. Decontamination should not, therefore, be necessary. The same is true of cyanogen chloride and cyanogen bromide. 

Skin Contact Wash skin at once to remove cyanide while removing all contaminated clothing including shoes do not delay Skin absorption can take place from cyanide dust, solutions, or hydrogen cyanide vapor. Absorption is slower than with inhalation, often measured in minutes rather than seconds (AC or HCN is absorbed much faster than metal cyanides from solutions such as sodium, potassium or copper cyanide solutions). After going though decontamination on the victim(s), watch him or her for at least one to two hours, if possible, since absorbed cyanide can continue to work into the blood stream. As a final note, wash clothing before reuse, and destroy contaminated shoes. 

C. Decontamination (see p 46). Caution-. Avoid contact with cyanide-containing salts or solutions, and avoid inhaling vapors from vomitus (which may give off hydrogen cyanide gas). 

D. Agent decomposition (see also Table 11-57). Some warfare agents produce toxic by-products during attempts at decontamination or when exposed to acidic environments. GA may produce hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide. GB and GD produce hydrogen fluoride under acidic conditions. Lewisite is corrosive to steel and in nonalkaline conditions may decompose to trisodium arsenate. VX fonns the toxic product EA2192 when undergoing alkaline hydrolysis. 

Solid cyanide compounds will persist until decontamination measures are carried out. All cyanide compounds are slowly inactivated in water. Ingested salts will react with gastric acid to produce hydrogen cyanide gas even after death. 

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