"Potassium cyanide or potash poison is a type of cyanide that functions to repel pests. If exposed to humans, this poison can cause acute poisoning to rapid death.”
Cyanide is known as a poison that can cause death in a short time. One form of cyanide is potassium cyanide or potassium cyanide which is often referred to as poison potash.
In Indonesia, potash poison is sold freely and is usually used to eradicate pests or rats. Unfortunately, there are several cases of misusing this chemical compound to poison humans.
Therefore, you should be careful when using this poison, and also be aware of the dangers that lurk.
Important Facts About Potassium Poison
There are several facts about this deadly poison, including:
1. Poisonous form of potash
Potassium poison or potassium cyanide is a chemical compound with the formula KCN. Potassium poison is white and in the form of solid crystals or granules. Commercially, these chemical compounds can control pests, coat metals, and extract gold or silver from ore.
The hydrogen cyanide gas released by potash poisoning has a characteristic odor resembling bitter almonds, or some that describes the smell of musty shoes.
However, most people cannot detect the smell. Thus, in the case of poisoned people, they are rarely able to detect any signs of a hazardous substance.
2. Effects of exposure to poison potash
Exposure to poison potash can be fatal and fast. Potassium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, which is a highly toxic chemical. Well, if inhaled it can interfere with the body's ability to use oxygen.
This substance has effects throughout the body, especially on the organ systems that are most sensitive to low oxygen levels, namely the central nervous system (brain), cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels), and pulmonary system. Potassium exposure can be through skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or swallowing.
3. How cyanide works
Cellular respiration is a vital process in the body that uses oxygen to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main source of energy for cells.
Cyanide can interfere with cellular respiration by binding to cytochrome oxidase, the main enzyme that locks the respiratory chain. This phenomenon can inhibit intracellular respiration and increase lactic acid synthesis.
Cyanide can also bind to other important enzymes and damage the nervous system through lipid peroxidation. The brain and heart are most sensitive to the effects of cyanide because these organs rapidly metabolize oxygen.
4. Symptoms of potash poisoning
The effects that occur after exposure to potash poison can take place quickly. Inhalation of hydrogen cyanide gas can cause symptoms within seconds to minutes, while death from cyanide can also occur within minutes.
Early symptoms of cyanide poisoning include dizziness, rapid breathing, nausea, vomiting, feeling of tightness in the neck and weakness, confusion, restlessness and anxiety. Accumulation of fluid in the lungs can make breathing difficult and exacerbate the symptoms of poisoning.
If the symptoms of poisoning get worse, the effects are fainting, coma, muscle spasms, body spasms, dilated pupils, skin feels cold, clammy, and sweating, until death.
5. First aid when experiencing potash poisoning
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are various first aids for people exposed to potash poison, including:
- Careful observation.
- Administration of supplemental oxygen.
- Supportive care.
All three are sufficient therapy for patients who do not show physical symptoms of cyanide poisoning.
Meanwhile, for patients showing physical symptoms of cyanide poisoning, first aid consists of:
- Administration of antidote drugs under the direction of a doctor.
- Breathing and circulatory support.
- Tests for chemical imbalances in the blood
- Seizure control.
For the record, avoid giving mouth-to-mouth respiratory assistance, and also avoid contact with the patient's vomit contaminated with potash poison.
Those are the facts about potash poison that you should know in order to avoid the dangers of this poison.