Hydrogen cyanide facts for kids
Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound that is very toxic, meaning it's extremely dangerous. It's also known as prussic acid. It belongs to a group of chemicals called cyanides.
Hydrogen cyanide can be a colorless gas or a pale blue liquid. It has a faint, bitter almond-like smell, but not everyone can smell it. Because it's so poisonous, it's important to be very careful around it.
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What is Hydrogen Cyanide?
Hydrogen cyanide is a simple molecule made of three different atoms: hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen. Its chemical formula is HCN. This means each molecule has one hydrogen atom, one carbon atom, and one nitrogen atom joined together.
How is it Found?
Hydrogen cyanide can be found in a few places:
- Naturally: Small amounts are found in some plants, especially in the seeds of fruits like apples, cherries, and apricots. It's also in bitter almonds. When these parts are crushed or digested, enzymes can release hydrogen cyanide.
- Man-made: It is produced in factories for many different uses.
Uses of Hydrogen Cyanide
Even though it's dangerous, hydrogen cyanide is very useful in industry.
- Making Plastics: A lot of hydrogen cyanide is used to make important plastics like acrylic glass (Plexiglas) and nylon. These materials are used in many everyday items, from windows to clothing.
- Pest Control: Because it's so toxic, it has been used as a fumigant to kill pests like insects and rodents in large spaces, such as ships or warehouses. However, this must be done with extreme care due to its danger to humans.
- Other Chemicals: It's also a building block for making other chemicals, including some pesticides and medicines.
Why is it Dangerous?
Hydrogen cyanide is very toxic because it stops the body's cells from using oxygen. This means that even if you breathe in oxygen, your body can't use it to make energy. This can quickly lead to serious health problems or even death.
How it Affects the Body
If a person breathes in hydrogen cyanide gas or absorbs it through their skin, it can quickly enter their bloodstream. It then travels to cells throughout the body, especially those in the brain and heart, which need a lot of oxygen. When these cells can't get oxygen, they stop working properly.
Symptoms of exposure can include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
Because it's so dangerous, hydrogen cyanide is handled only by trained professionals in very controlled environments.
Images for kids
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Hydrogen cyanide molecule
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