Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is described by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a colorless or pale-blue liquid or gas with a bitter, almond-like odor. It is a liquid below 78°F (25.6°C) and a colorless gas above 78°F (25.6°C).

It is a precursor to many chemical compounds and is produced on an industrial scale for use in many industries. Hydrogen cyanide is used commercially for fumigation, electroplating, mining, chemical synthesis, and the production of synthetic fibers, plastics, dyes and pesticides. It has also been used as a chemical warfare agent in the past and has the military designation of AC.

NIOSH reports that exposure to hydrogen cyanide can be fatal. It interferes with the body’s use of oxygen and may cause harm to the brain, heart, blood vessels and lungs. As such, workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrogen cyanide with the level of exposure depending upon factors such as the dose, duration and work being done. Routes of potential exposure include ingestion, inhalation, skin contact and eye contact.

Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to hydrogen cyanide according to NIOSH include:
• Workers who commercially fumigate ships and buildings
• Agricultural workers who fumigate outdoor pests in areas such as fruit orchards
• Factory workers in industries that manufacture acrylic fibers, synthetic rubber and plastics
• Steel and iron workers who work in plants that harden iron and steel

To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).

These are just a few of the many things to know about hydrogen cyanide and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.

Clark Seif Clark [ Ссылка ]
EMSL Analytical, Inc. [ Ссылка ]
LA Testing [ Ссылка ]
Zimmetry Environmental [ Ссылка ]
Healthy Indoors Magazine [ Ссылка ]

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