Hydrogen cyanide is described as an industrial product with some production chemicals banned.

• A. Hydrogen cyanide is a surgical agent
• B. Hydrogen cyanide is an industrial product with some production chemicals banned
• C. Hydrogen cyanide is a nerve agent
• D. Hydrogen cyanide is not used in bioterrorism

Answer: (B)

Hydrogen cyanide is best understood as a toxic industrial chemical that is tightly regulated because of how dangerous it is and the potential for misuse as a weapon. It works by inhibiting cellular respiration, blocking an essential enzyme and causing rapid oxygen deprivation at the tissue level. Because of this, safety controls are in place in industries that use cyanide, and certain production chemicals involved in cyanide processes are banned to reduce risk and deter illicit use. This makes describing hydrogen cyanide as an industrial product with some production chemicals banned the most accurate statement. It is not a surgical agent, and it is not categorized as a nerve agent, though it has been used historically as a chemical weapon. Saying it is never used in bioterrorism isn’t accurate, given its potential for misuse.