HYDROGEN

CYANIDE
THE OTHER SILENT KILLER
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goal of this program is to provide
the learner with a thorough
understanding of Hydrogen Cyanide
including the following:
Awareness and Recognition
Prevention
Protection
Detection
Diagnosis & Treatment
COURSE CONTENTS
Chemical Properties
HCN and CO The Toxic Twins
Literature Review
Case Studies & Research
Columbia Fire Department
Fort Worth, Texas
Equipment
Response Protocol
Hands-on Training
Would you work here without
SCBA?

CHLORINE GAS
so then why do it here?
Ammonia Benzopyrine Methane
Dioxin Formaldehyde Ethylene
Chloromethane Oxides of Nitrogen
Benzene Carbonyl Fluoride

Phosgene Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Monoxide
Furfural

Sulfur Dioxide
Bromomethane
PCBs Hydrogen Cyanide
Hydrogen Sulfide
Acetic Acid
Alcohols Acrolein
Chemical Properties
Physical Properties and Health Effects
of Hydrogen Cyanide
 Properties of HCN
Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound with
chemical formula HCN. It is a colourless, extremely
poisonous liquid that boils slightly above room
temperature at 26 C (79F).
HCN has a faint, bitter, burnt almond-like odour that
only some people are able to detect owing to a genetic
trait. The volatile compound has been used as
inhalation rodenticide and human poison. Cyanide ions
interfere with iron-containing respiratory enzymes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_cyanide
Properties of HCN
Exposure Limits
IDLH 50ppm (Carbon Monoxide is 1200ppm)
NIOSH REL 5ppm (Carbon Monoxide is 25ppm)
OSHA PEL 10ppm
EPA AEGL 3 (Life threatening effects or death)
10 minutes 27ppm
30 minutes 21ppm
EPA AEGL 2 (Long lasting effects or impairment)
10 minutes 17ppm
30 minutes 10 ppm
Properties of HCN
Extremely poisonous, Extremely
flammable
LEL 5.6% - UEL 40%
Vapour Density - 0.93 (slightly lighter
than air)
Vapour Pressure 630mmHg
Molecular Weight = 27.03
Ionization Potential = 13.6eV
*Burnt almond odour. Firefighters
Odour Threshold
will not be able to smell HCN = 0.58ppm*
amongst burning materials. 40% of
the population cannot smell HCN.
Properties of HCN
NIOSH Physical Dangers
Hazardous concentrations may develop quickly in
an enclosed environment or poorly ventilated areas
Mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily
formed

24 times more toxic than Carbon Monoxide

Magnifies the toxicity of HCN when

combined with CO (Toxic Twins)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_cyani
de
Health Effects Signs &
Symptoms
MODERATE EXPOSURE SERIOUS EXPOSURE

Headache Dyspnea
Confusion Cardiac
Anxiety dysrhthmia
Blurred vision Seizures
Loss of judgment Coma
Increased Death
respiratory rate
Health Effects
Potential Symptoms: Asphyxia and death
at high levels, preceded by seizures, coma
with abolished deep reflexes and dilated
pupils, paralysis, weakness, dizziness,
numbness, tremor, loss of visual acuity,
headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite, weight loss, increased rate and
depth of respiration, or slow and gasping
respiration, eye irritation, rash, chemical
burns on skin, enlargement of the thyroid
gland. [NIOSH]
Health Effects
Long Term Effects/Repeated Exposures
Respiratory problems
Weakness
Heart disease
Heart attack
Stroke
Brain damage
Thyroid cancer
Health Effects
Workers exposed to concentrations of 4-
12ppm periodically over a period of 7
years showed an increase in symptoms
of headache, weakness, irritation of
throat, change in taste and smells, and
nervous instability [ACGIH 1991]
Workers exposed to low concentrations
of Hydrogen Cyanide have developed
enlarged thyroid glands [NLM 1995]
Health Effects Signs &
Symptoms
Exposure to smaller concentrations can initially cause
respiratory activation (manifested by rapid breathing
and tachycardia) in an attempt to compensate for lack
of oxygen. Early manifestations include headache,
anxiety, blurry vision, and loss of judgment. As cyanide
accumulates further, signs and symptoms of poisoning
reflect the effects of oxygen deprivation on the heart
and brain. These include cardiac dysrhythmias,
seizure, coma, and death.
The time between exposure and incapacitation or
death is typically minutes, but varies depending on the
concentration of cyanide and other toxicants.
OBrien, DJ, Walsh, DW, Cyanide and Smoke Inhalation, 2010
HCN Reference Materials
UN 1051, Class 6 (Subclass 3)
ERG Guide #117 Gases Toxic
Flammable (Extreme Hazard) (Initial
Isolation Zone of 60M for a small
release)
NIOSH Pocket Guide Page #168
NFPA 704 Health 4, Flammability 4,
Reactivity 2
Case Studies and
Research
Lets look at some of the current
studies and stats regarding HCN
Cyanide Poisoning of
Providence RI Firefighters
March 23rd 2006
Firefighter Kenneth Baker was confirmed to have
cyanide poisoning due to a fire call
He suffered a heart attack and died at a structure
fire later that same shift
As a result, all FFs who were at the first call were
tested
8 of 27 firefighters tested had high levels of HCN
in their systems
CLICK HERE FOR PROVIDENCE REPORT
- review pages 2 & 3 of the report
Thyroid Testing During
Physicals
Largo (FL) Fire Rescue Ultra Sound
8 employees with thyroid nodules, 2
resulted in cancer and 1 yet to be
determined
1 aneurysm
1 70% blocked carotid arteries
Las Vegas Fire Department
8 thyroid cancers
3 brain cancers
 Columbia Fire Department
Study
Eight month study monitoring CO and HCN at fire calls
(approximately 40 structure fires)
Found staggering results with extremely high HCN
levels at calls
Found no correlation between CO and HCN production
Worst offenders for HCN production were:
Pot on a stove/cooking fires (average small kitchen fire
produces 75ppm of HCN)
Car fires
Dumpster fires
Overhaul operations
Fort Worth Texas Test Burns
Conducted open-air burn study to capture
HCN levels off of different materials
Significant levels obtained in an open-air

environment
Highest levels were recorded at incipient

stages of fire production and during

smoldering periods
This study confirmed what was being readily

assumed about HCN levels in air during fires

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORT WORTH STUDY
Prevention, Protection &
Detection
Lets look at how we can protect
ourselves from HCN exposure
Prevention and Protection
Most important prevention tool is AWARENESS
we need to be educated on HCN
Recognizing Signs & Symptoms of exposure
PPE (use & cleaning)
Monitoring for HCN
Establishing action levels
Reporting levels and exposures
Decontamination procedures
HCN Standard Operating Guideline (CLICK
HERE FOR DRAFT SOG) PLEASE REVIEW
Detection
Sensit P100 Single
Gas HCN detector
Located on
secondary vehicles
To be used at all fire
related calls
Can be used to
monitor the
atmosphere at
incidents as well as
readings off of PPE
Operational Implementation
HCN air monitoring shall be conducted at all fire
occurrences and will help determine:
Scene perimeter and the locations of rehab, accountability,
other agencies, etc. (extremely valuable tool for the ISO)
The need for on scene gear decontamination and/or
replacement (worst offenders for HCN retention are
balaclavas and helmet ear flaps)
The severity of smoke inhalation cases for firefighters and
civilians (signs and symptoms)
When we can operate off-air at an occurrence (action
levels)
LETS DISCUSS EACH OF THESE POINTS IN DETAIL
Review
HCN is more dangerous than Carbon Monoxide
The IDLH of CO is 1200 ppm, while the IDLH of
HCN is 50 ppm
Low CO levels present a false security to the
presence of HCN
HCN has a short half-life, this can make it difficult
to fully diagnose the level of exposure
Early detection is imperative to the safety of
personnel
HCN symptoms in lower level exposures are
similar to heat related illness and CO poisoning
Review cont..
HCN symptoms in severe or acute cases
mirror that of a heart attack
More firefighter and civilian deaths are
being linked to HCN poisoning
Poor firefighter PPE usage leads to
increased exposure of HCN and CO
Wear your SCBA at all fire calls
PROTECT YOURSELF!
Additional Resources & Info
AFTERMATH VIDEO - CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Very informative video about HCN exposure,
repsonse and treatment
37 minutes long

Smoke, Dr. David Penney CLICK HERE

TO READ
Cyanide and Modern Fires, EMD Serano
Pharmaceuticals CLICK HERE TO READ
Additional Resources & Info
www.firesmoke.org
Great resource for HCN and smoke related
material
Articles
Research studies
Etc.

Login to access all the available information

Username: joness@burlington.ca
Password: firefighter
Final
thought..
How many of us have been
somewhere like this?

38 PPM of
HCN!
-Actual incident photo and monitoring
results from Columbia FD Study