Cyanide Inhalational Death After Mixing Organic Herbicides.

Abstract

Hydrogen cyanide (HC) is one of the most dangerous toxic agents that exist. Death can occur seconds after its inhalation. HC causes hypoxemia, especially in the central nervous, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Obtaining a lactate level is very important when there is a suspicion of HC toxicity. Levels of 10 mmol/L or more is a sensitive and specific indicator of HC toxicity with high correlation with the HC blood level. Hydroxycobalamin is an effective antidote requiring rapid administration. We present a fatal case of HC inhalation after mixing several organic herbicides despite hydroxycobalamin administration.