Hydrogen Cyanide in Service

1. Hydrogen Cyanide in Service Michael Magda Livonia Fire & Rescue, Western Wayne County HMRT

2. Presentation Content • Toxic gases generated by fire • Hydrogen Cyanide in smoke • Health effects of HCN • ToxiRAE II HCN monitor

3. Toxic Gases Generated by Fire

4. Clark County Fire Fighter Fatality • Crews operating at the scene of a commercial dice factory fire • Heavy smoke and fire conditions • All crews are instructed to utilize standard PPE • SCBA are used by all responders

5. Clark County Fire Fighter Fatality • What are some of the hazards present? • As a Incident Commander, what types of injuries or conditions may you expect?

6. Clark County Fire Fighter Fatality • All crews are ordered out of the structure. • As crews leave the factory, they remove their SCBA masks. • A Fire Captain removes his mask as he walks out of the smoke. He collapses outside the structure. • He is in cardiac arrest.

7. Clark County Fire Fighter Fatality • The Captain did not survive his injuries • Coroner ruled this fatality due to cyanide toxicity. • Clark County Fire Department • Captain Frank E. Testa, April 11, 1970

8. 2005 Fire Statistics • In 2005, there were 1,602,000 fires reported in U.S. • 511,000 structure fires • 3,105 civilian deaths • 15,325 civilian injuries • $9.2 billion in property damage • 87 firefighter deaths in all types of fires • >4000 firefighters injured by smoke inhalation • It is estimated up to 80% of all fire fatalities are attributable to smoke inhalation

9. Anatomy of Fire Smoke • Toxic composition of smoke varies from fire to fire • Nature of the burning materials • Temperature • Oxygen level • Ventilation • Conditions of high temperature and low oxygen enhance degradation of synthetics quickening chemical release

10. Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Chloride Nitrous Gases Phosgene Hydrogen Sulfide Sulfur Dioxide Acrolein Ammonia Formaldehyde Glutaraldehyde Acetaldehyde Benzaldehyde Benzene Various PNAs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons) Toxic Gases Generated by Fire

11. Cyanide Toxicity in Smoke • Historically, carbon monoxide asphyxiation has been considered the primary cause of deaths of those overcome by smoke • Focus of gas monitoring • There is mounting evidence that hydrogen cyanide is directly responsible for many more deaths than previously assumed • Cumulative effect with CO worse than either individually

12. “ Cyanide toxicity from smoke inhalation in a structural or enclosed space fire is the most likely cause of cyanide toxicity that EMS & fire professionals will encounter” JEMS Communications Summer 2004

13. Hydrogen Cyanide in Smoke

14. Cyanide Producing Materials • Cyanide production in a fire • Hydrogen cyanide is produced by incomplete combustion of nitrogen and carbon containing substances (-C≡N) • Natural Fibers (wool, silk, cotton, paper) • Synthetic polymers (nylon, polyurethane) • Synthetic rubber • Melamine (resins for molding, laminating, etc.)

15. HCN Releasing Polymers • Synthetic polymers found extensively in structures • Insulation • Cushioning • Carpets • Bedding (mattresses and pillows) • Building materials • Materials can burn up to 2-3 times hotter and faster than natural materials • Quicker flashovers increase speed of HCN release

16. Sources of Cyanide • Other small scale uses: • Photography labs • Blue printing • Engraving computer chips • Cleaning or reconditioning of jewelry • Found at clandestine drug lab • manufacturing phencyclidine (PCP)

17. Key Cyanide Studies • Two independent studies performed on HCN toxicity • Paris France (1988-89) • 109 fire victims( 66 survivors and 43 fatalities) 144 controlled individuals (drug intoxication and CO poisoning) • Dallas County Texas • 144 smoke inhalation patients at University of Texas Health Science Center Emergency Department 43 deceased individuals at Dallas County medical examiners office.

18. Key Cyanide Studies • Final Conclusion: • Cyanide and carbon monoxide were both important determinants of smoke inhalation - associated morbidity and mortality. • Cyanide concentrations were directly related to the probability of death. • Cyanide may have dominated over CO as a cause of death in some fire victims. • Cyanide and CO may have potentiated the toxic effects of one another

19. Health Effects of HCN

20. Health Effects of HCN • Small amounts are present in the environment and in humans. • Normal levels of whole blood are between 0 to 20 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl). • Cyanide levels as low as 50 ug/dl in the blood have proven to be toxic, and blood cyanide levels of 250 – 300 ug/dl fatal. • Symptoms of cyanide poisoning mimic the signs and symptoms of a myocardial infarction. 

21. Early Signs and Symptoms • Early signs and symptoms of exposure to low concentrations of cyanide include: • Rapid breathing • Dizziness • Weakness • Nausea/vomiting • Eye irritation • Pink or red skin color • Rapid heart rate • Perspiration

22. HCN Rapid breathing Dizziness Weakness Nausea/vomiting Eye irritation Pink or red skin color Rapid heart rate Perspiration CO Rapid breathing Dizziness Weakness Nausea/vomiting Eye irritation Pink or red skin color Rapid heart rate Perspiration HCN or CO PoisoningAcute S & S

23. Late Signs and Symptoms • Later signs of exposure to moderate-high concentrations include: • Loss of consciousness • Respiratory arrest • Cardiac arrest • Coma • Seizures

24. Chemical Properties • hydrocyanic acid • colorless gas or liquid • faint odor of bitter almonds • chemical warfare agent • blood agent

25. Chemical Properties • Categorized as a blood agent. • Enters the blood stream and prevents intracellular oxygen utilization • chemical asphyxiation even in the presence of adequate oxygen in the atmosphere. • (DOT) classifies • 6.1 poison. • NFPA • Health 4, Flammability 4 and Reactivity 2.

26. NIOSH Facts • Exposure Limits: • NIOSH REL: ST 4.7 ppm (5 mg/m3) [skin] OSHA PEL†: TWA 10 ppm (11 mg/m3) [skin] • IDLH: • 50ppm • Target Organs: • central nervous system, cardiovascular system, thyroid, blood • Exposure Routes: • inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

27. NIOSH Facts • Time Weighted Average: • Carbon Monoxide - 35 ppm.....Hydrogen Cyanide - 4.7 ppm • IDLH: • Carbon Monoxide - 1200 ppm.....Hydrogen Cyanide - 50 ppm • Lower Explosive Limit: • Carbon Monoxide - 12.5%.....Hydrogen Cyanide - 5.6% • Upper Explosive Limit: • Carbon Monoxide - 74 %.....Hydrogen Cyanide - 40 %

28. ToxiRAE II HCN

29. ToxiRae II (HCN)

30. ToxiRAE II (HCN)

31. ToxiRAE II (HCN)

32. ToxiRAE II (HCN)

33. ToxiRAE II (HCN)

34. ToxiRAE II (HCN) Questions!