Is this the first time you are hearing about potassium cyanide tablets and powder? If so, there is no need to worry. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the chemical.
What is potassium cyanide?
Potassium cyanide, with the formula KCN, is an inorganic compound. Similar in appearance to sugar, it is a colorless crystalline compound that is highly soluble in water. Some of its uses are the extraction of precious metals such as gold, electroplating, and organic synthesis. Other uses include jewelry for gilding and chemical polishing. Entomologists also use potassium cyanide as a lethal chemical in collection jars, as it kills most insects within seconds.
Reports also show that a number of prominent people took their own lives using potassium cyanide, including members of the Nazi party.
The production of potassium cyanide
The companies that produce this product treat hydrogen cyanide with a 50% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. After that, they evaporate the solution under vacuum. Reports suggest that licensed industries produce about 50,000 tons of potassium cyanide every year.
Cyanide is a potent inhibitor of cellular respiration that affects mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase and blocks oxidative phosphorylation, preventing your body from oxidizing food to form crucial energy. Lactic acidosis then occurs as a result of anaerobic metabolism.
What is the lethal dose of potassium cyanide?
The lethal dose of potassium cyanide would be between 200 to 300 mg. Note that the chemical is highly toxic. Its wet solid produces hydrogen cyanide due to hydrolysis. The gas tastes like bitter almonds. Not everyone has the ability to taste/smell it, which makes it even more dangerous.
Routes of exposure to potassium cyanide
Your body can be exposed to potassium cyanide through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and eye contact.
Uses of Potassium Cyanide Powder and Tablets
When most people hear about potassium cyanide, the first thing they think about is suicide. The reason this chemical is popular is because it is quick and painless.
Potassium cyanide is important for treating heat during flotation of ore to extract precious metals such as silver and gold and electroplating. People also use potassium cyanide as an analytical chemical reagent used in the manufacture of nitriles, organic acrylonitrile, pharmacy for organic glass, photography, engraving, etc.
Once potassium cyanide enters the body, it forms a permanent bond with cytochrome c oxidase, an electron that blocks and accepts the transport path of cells from cells. As a result, your cells cannot use oxygen from the blood, which prevents them from producing the energy needed by the body.
How Potassium Cyanide Works
It releases hydrocyanic acid, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that reduces the body’s ability to use oxygen. Exposure to this chemical can be seriously fatal. It causes effects throughout the body, especially vital organs that are sensitive to low oxygen levels, such as the central nervous system and pulmonary system. Most people usually ship potassium cyanide in pill form.
The effects of potassium cyanide in small doses
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Headaches
The effects of potassium cyanide in high doses
When exposed to high doses of potassium cyanide, you will likely fall into a coma, then convulsions, then death. One way to combat these effects is to take glucose in large amounts. Glucose binds to cyanide quickly, disconnecting it from the cell’s bond. However, glucose is not always guaranteed to completely counteract these effects of cyanide, but it will certainly help counteract them.
Symptoms of Potassium Cyanide Overdose or Poisoning
If you experience dilated or red eyes, reddish or pink cheeks, and a severe case of bluish skin color, you may be suffering from potassium poisoning/overdose.
Side effects of potassium cyanide
With what has been said above, you should know that potassium cyanide is a very toxic chemical. It is a fast-acting poison, even in small doses. Avoid exposing yourself to potassium cyanide as it is very toxic. If your skin is exposed to potassium cyanide, you will experience a burning sensation, tissue damage, pain, and irritation. In addition, you will experience tissue damage and redness in your eyes if they are exposed to potassium cyanide.
If you ingest potassium cyanide, it can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, irritation, nausea, or corrosion of the stomach lining. The toxicity of potassium cyanide depends on the acidity of your stomach since the chemical must react with acid to form hydrogen cyanide, the deadly gas.
Inhalation of potassium cyanide also has several serious effects. Mild effects include anxiety, confusion, nausea, weakness, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, vomiting, loss of consciousness, etc.
Serious effects include seizures, coma, dilated pupils, shock and fluid in the lungs, temporary blindness, slow breathing and low blood pressure.
Note that the CNS is most sensitive to potassium cyanide. The cardiovascular system is less sensitive and you need higher doses of potassium cyanide to get CNS-like effects. In extreme poisoning, the skin will be clammy, cold, and diaphoretic.
What is the time course of potassium cyanide?
Potassium cyanide has rapid effects after any exposure. After inhaling hydrogen cyanide gas, you will feel its side effects within seconds and death will occur within minutes.
What is the legal status of potassium cyanide powder and pills?
Since potassium cyanide is a very deadly chemical, it remains to be controlled in many countries. You must have legal authority to purchase these chemicals.
Can you buy potassium cyanide powder and tablets online?
You can buy potassium cyanide powder and pills online. However, while doing so, be very careful. You might be buying potassium cyanide but from an illegitimate seller. This way, you will end up with substandard products. Since these chemicals are rare, it is not always easy to get them, even for the sellers. Always do proper research and check if the supplier you intend to buy from is legitimate. You should read many reviews and consult a chemical specialist before making a purchase. Those from the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Spain and the rest of Europe, Australia, Asia and parts of Africa are covered by our buyer protection and guaranteed express delivery.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.