Potassium Cyanide Powder and Pills

Is this the first time you are coming across potassium cyanide powder and pills? 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 which has the formula KCN is an inorganic compound. With a similar appearance as sugar, it is a colorless crystalline compound that is highly soluble in water. Some of its uses are mining of precious metals such as gold, electroplating and organic synthesis. Other uses include jewelry for gilding and chemical buffing. Entomologists also use potassium cyanide as a killing chemical in collection jars since it kills most insects within seconds.

Reports also show that a number of prominent people have ended their life using potassium cyanide which includes members of the Nazi party.

The production of potassium cyanide

Companies that produce the chemical treat hydrogen cyanide with a 50% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. After this, they evaporate the solution in a vacuum. Reports suggest that the authorized industries produce approximately 50000 potassium cyanide tons each year.

Cyanide is a potent cellular respiration inhibitor that affects the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase and blocks oxidative phosphorylation which prevents 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 potassium cyanide lethal dose is said to be 200-300 mg. note that the chemical is very toxic. Its moist solid produces hydrogen cyanide because of hydrolysis. The gas tastes like bitter almonds. Not everyone has the ability to taste/smell it which makes it even more dangerous.

Potassium cyanide routes of exposure

Your body can be exposed to potassium cyanide by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact and eye contact.

The uses of Potassium cyanide powder and pills

When most people hear the term potassium cyanide, the first thing that comes to mind is suicide. The reason why this chemical is popular is because it’s painless and quick.

Potassium cyanide is important for treating heat in ore floatation to extract precious metals such silver and gold and electroplating. People also use potassium cyanide as an analytical chemical reagent used in manufacturing nitriles, organic acrylonitrile, organic glass pharmacy, photograph, etching among others.

Once potassium cyanide enters the body, it forms a permanent bond with cytochrome c oxidase an electron that prevents and accepts the cells electron transport path. As a result, your cells are prevented to use the oxygen in the blood meaning the cells cannot produce energy needed by the body.

How potassium cyanide works

It works by releasing hydrogen cyanide gas which is a very toxic chemical asphyxiate that reduces the body’s ability to use oxygen. Being exposed to this chemical can be severely fatal. It causes full-body effects especially affecting the vital organ systems which are sensitive to low levels of oxygen such as the CNS and the pulmonary system. Most people usually ship potassium cyanide as pills.

The effects of potassium cyanide in small doses

• Issues breathing
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Potassium cyanide effects in high doses

When you are exposed to high doses of potassium cyanide will likely go into a coma then convulsions and then death. One way to help counter these effects is taking glucose in large amounts. Glucose binds to the cyanide fast thus disconnecting it to the cells bond. However, it is not always a guarantee that glucose will counter these cyanide effects completely but it will definitely help counter the effects.

Symptoms of a potassium cyanide overdose/poisoning

There is a chance you are suffering from a potassium poisoning/overdose if you experience dilated or red eyes, ruddy or pink colored cheeks and a severe case of bluish skin color.

Potassium cyanide side effects

From above, you must know that potassium cyanide is a very toxic and poisonous chemical. It is a quick acting poison even in small doses. Avoid exposing yourself to potassium cyanide because it is very toxic. If your skin gets exposed to potassium cyanide, you will experience a burning sensation, tissue damage, pain and irritation. Additionally, you will experience tissue damage and redness to the eye if it’s exposed to potassium cyanide.

If you ingest potassium cyanide, it can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, irritation, nausea or corrosion in the stomach lining. How toxic potassium cyanide is depends on the acidity of your stomach since the chemical must react with the acid to form hydrogen cyanide the deadly gas.

Inhaling potassium cyanide has several severe effects as well. The mild effects include anxiety, confusion, nausea, weakness, headache, short breath, dizziness, palpitations, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and more.

Severe effects include seizures, coma, dilated pupils, shock, and fluid in the lungs, temporary blindness, slow respirations and low blood pressure.

You should note that the CNS is the most sensitive to potassium cyanide. The cardiovascular system is less sensitive and you require higher potassium cyanide doses to achieve similar effects as the CNS. In extreme poisonings, the skin will be clammy, cold and diaphoretic.

What is potassium cyanide’s time course?

The effects of potassium cyanide occur rapidly after any exposure. After inhaling the hydrogen cyanide gas, you will experience its side effects within seconds and death will occur in minutes.

What is the legal status of potassium cyanide powder and pills?

Since potassium cyanide is a very fatal chemical, it remains to be a controlled substance in many nations. You need to have a legal authority to buy these chemicals.

Can you purchase potassium cyanide powder and pills online?

You can buy potassium cyanide powder and pills online. However, when doing that, 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 obtain them even for the vendors. Always do a proper research and verify whether the vendor you intend to buy from is legitimate. You should read many reviews and consult with a chemical specialist before making a purchase.