Cyanides
Cyanides are classified as blood agents. They are called blood agents because they produce their effects by interfering with oxygen utilization at the cellular level. The Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) that could be possible terrorist’s weapons are: Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanogen Chloride.
Their Military Designations are: AC (hydrocyanic acid) and CK (cyanogen chloride). Both of these substances are liquids, but they vaporize (evaporate) at about 73°F and 23°C, so they will be in a gaseous form under standard temperature and pressure (STP). AC has an odor of bitter almonds; CK is pungent. AC vapor is lighter than air, whereas CK gas is heavier than air. Inhalation is the usual route of entry of these chemicals. Initial symptoms are rapid shallow breathing, followed by vertigo and nausea. Progressive symptoms include a decrease in respiratory rate, convulsions, cessation of breathing, and cardiac arrhythmia over 2 to 4 minutes depending on the dose and exposure time. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning include:
  • Dryness and burning of the throat
  • Dyspnea, or shortness of breath
  • Hyperpnea, rapid shallow breathing
  • Apnea, lack of breathing
  • Convulsion and coma
  • Cardiovascular collapse
  • Death

Decontamination is usually not necessary because cyanide evaporates rapidly, but skin under cyanide-contaminated clothing should be washed with soap and water.

For water transportation facts, the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard are most likely to be of assistance, while the Federal Aviation Administration is the best source for data on air traffic. The safety of our Nation does not rest entirely with the Department of Homeland Security, but with each citizen’s vigilance and timely reporting to their local law enforcement agency any suspicious activities of any person in and around one of the possible “targets of opportunity” mentioned above. See also the National Response Center’s guidance on page B-7.