Chemistry - The Worship of Zumdahl

Society of Chemistry Undergraduate Majors (SCUM)

The following link will give you a taste of the rather impressive demonstrations performed by the SCUM of Iowa State University:

• Chemistry Club Homepage

Ames Laboratory

I was recently a research assistant employed by the Fossil Energy Department of Ames Laboratory, a government-owned, contractor-operated, U. S. Department of Energy laboratory managed by Iowa State University. My research involved the development of an integrated sampling and analysis system suitable for on-line monitoring of mercury (Hg) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) in advanced coal-based gasifiers. The objectives of this project were to

• summarize current technology for monitoring Hg and HCl in gaseous effluents,
• identify analytical techniques for such determinations in high-temperature, high-pressure gases from coal-based systems for producing electrical power,
• evaluate promising analytical approaches, and
• produce reliable on-line monitors which are adaptable to plant-scale diagnostics and process control.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE, ANHYDROUS, STABILIZED

HEALTH EFFECTS

Inhalation:
Irritant/chemical asphyxiant/toxic
50 ppm (parts per million) immediately dangerous to life or health.

Acute exposure- Death has been reported in a human from exposure to 500
milligrams per cubic meter for three minutes. Massive doses may result in
immediate unconsciousness, often with convulsions and death. Low levels
may result in irritation of the nose and throat, a bitter almond odor on the
breath, a burning taste, feeling of constriction of the throat, blotchy skin
eruptions of the face, salivation, nausea with or without vomiting, anxiety,
confusion, vertigo, giddiness, weakness, headache, rapid pulse, palpitations,
ataxia, lower jaw stiffness, lactic acidosis, and opisthotonos. Respitory
rate and depth usually increase initially, becoming slow and gasping.
Cyanosis, coma, convulsions, and bradycardia occur in some cases.
Involuntary micturition and defecation may occur. Paralysis may follow
the convulsive stage. The eyeballs may protrude and the pupils may be
unreactive; damage to the optic nerves and retina and blindness are possible.
The mouth may be covered with foam, which is sometimes blood-stained,
indicitive of pulmonary edema. If death occurs it is usually within four
hours and may be due to respitory arrest or tissue anoxia. Other symptoms
may include chest pain, cherry-red coloring, irregular speech, and a
transient stage of central nervous system stimulation with hyperpnea and
headache.

Chronic exposure- Exposure to low levels of hydrogen cyanide over long
periods of time is reported to cause irritation of the nose, leading to
obstruction, bleeding, sloughing and possible perforation, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, change in taste and smell, headache, weakness, dizziness,
effort dyspnea, abdominal colic and nervous instability. Chronic exposure
may also interfere with iodine uptake by the thyroid gland, and lead to
thyroid enlargement.

Gosh I loved that job! *smirk*

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