The Facts About Cyanides A copy of the The Facts About Cyanides
(General Information) is available in Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF, 67 KB, 4pg.) Note to reader: This fact sheet is
intended to provide general awareness and education on a
specific chemical agent. For information on preparedness and
response (e.g., for first responders and emergency medical
personnel), please refer to the following Department resources:
- Chemical Terrorism Preparedness and Response Card (PDF, 45KB,
7pg.) - Chemical Terrorism Wall Chart (PDF, 97KB, 1pg.) What are
cyanides? Cyanides are fast-acting poisons that can be lethal.
They were used as chemical weapons for the first time in World
War I. Low levels of cyanides are found in nature and in
products we commonly eat and use. Cyanides can be produced by
certain bacteria, fungi and algae. Cyanides are also found in
cigarette smoke, in vehicle exhaust, and in foods such as
spinach, bamboo shoots, almonds, lima beans, fruit pits and
tapioca. What are the properties of cyanid