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Disease/Syndrome Asphyxiation, chemical Category Acute Poison Acute/Chronic Acute-Severe Synonyms Toxic asphyxiation Biomedical References Search PubMed Comments Chemical asphyxiants include hydrogen cyanide (HCN), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and carbon monoxide (CO). HCN and H2S combine with enzymes to disrupt respiration at the cellular level, while CO binds with hemoglobin to block the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Other findings may include confusion, ataxia, weakness, and tachycardia that can progress to bradycardia and asystole. [5MCC, Current Consult, p. 1078, 1091, Ford, p. 706] Latency/Incubation Seconds to hours Diagnostic History; signs of brain hypoxia; carboxyhemoglobin level; ICD-9 Code 986 Related Information in Haz-Map Symptoms/Findings Symptoms/Findings associated with this disease: arrhythmia bradycardia confusion convulsion dizziness dyspnea, acute headache incoordination nausea, vomiting stupor and coma syncope tachycardia weakness Job Tasks High risk job tasks associated with this disease: Agitate or pump liquid manure or enter manure pit Enter silo one to ten days after filling with silage Operate internal combustion engine with inadequate ventilation Use sodium cyanide to recover silver from x-ray film Work in confined space Work with toxic chemicals that could be spilled or released Agents Hazardous agents that cause the occupational disease: Acetone cyanohydrin Carbon monoxide CYANIDES Cyanogen Cyanogen bromide Cyanogen chloride Cyanogen iodide Hydrogen cyanide Hydrogen sulfide Potassium cyanide Sodium cyanide Chemical asphyxiants, occupational & non-occupational

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