CNA reported that on the morning of July 17, Thai police held a press conference to announce the death of 6 people in a hotel room in Bangkok, including 4 Vietnamese people, which was a murder and then suicide by poisoning.
Police said traces of cyanide were found in cups and bottles in room 502 of the hotel where the bodies were discovered on July 16.
What is cyanide?
Cyanide is a quick-acting poison that can cause death, according to the New York State Health Department. They were used as chemical weapons for the first time in World War I. Low cyanide content is found in nature and in products we often eat and use.
Cyanide can be produced by a number of bacteria, fungi and algae. Cyanide is also found in cigarette smoke, vehicle emissions, and in foods such as spinach, bamboo shoots, almonds, semina, nuts, and cassava flour.
What are the properties of cyanide?
There are several chemical forms of cyanide. Hydrocyanide is a light blue or colorless liquid at room temperature and is a colorless gas at higher temperatures. It has a bitter almond smell.
Cyanide and potassium cyanide are white powders that can smell bitter almonds. Cyanide Chloride is a colorless, heavier-than-air liquefied gasoline with a strong smell.
Although some cyanide compounds have a characteristic smell, smell is not a good way to tell if cyanide is present. Some people cannot smell cyanide. Other people may initially smell it but will gradually get used to it.
How is cyanide used?
Historically, cyanide has been used as a chemical weapon. Cyanide and cyanide compounds are used in pesticides and disinfectants, plastic, electrification, optical development and mining. Dyeing and pharmaceutical companies also use cyanide.
Some industrial processes such as steel production, chemical industry and wastewater treatment can produce cyanide. During the process of clotting water, cyanide and chloride can be created at low levels.
How can humans be exposed to cyanide?
People can come into contact with low levels of cyanide in their daily lives from food, smoking and other sources.
Eating or drinking foods containing cyanide can affect health.
Breathing cyanide, especially in poor ventilation, is most likely to cause damage.
Fatal exposure to cyanide is only due to accidental or intentional actions.
Due to its fast-acting properties, cyanide can be used as a terrorist.
How does cyanide work in the body?
After contact, cyanide quickly enters the bloodstream. The body processes a small amount of cyanide in turn with a large amount. With a small dose, cyanide in the body can be converted into thiocyanate, which is less harmful and excreted in urine.
In the body, cyanide in small amounts can also be combined with another chemical to form vitamin B12, helping to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells.
With large doses, the body's ability to convert cyanide into thiocyanate is overwhelmed.
High doses of cyanide prevent cells from using oxygen and eventually these cells will die.
The heart, respiratory system and central nervous system are most susceptible to cyanide poisoning.
What are the specific signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning?
The health effects of high-level exposure to cyanide can start after a few seconds to a few minutes. Some signs and symptoms of cyanide exposure include: Fatigue, drowsiness, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, unconsciousness, convulsions, stopped heartbeat.
The severity of the impact on health depends on the path and duration of exposure, dosage, and form of cyanide.
Handling method
If you have come into contact with cyanide, follow these steps:
Quickly move out of the area where you think you are exposed.
Quickly remove any clothes that may contain cyanide and put them in a sealed bag to protect yourself and others from further exposure.
Quickly rinse any cyanide on your skin with a large amount of soap and water, and rinse your eyes with a large amount of water.
If needed, seek immediate medical attention. Cyanide poisoning can be further treated by medical experts.
