# Cyanide--  Generic or Brand Name?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 8, 2001, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809 "2001-05-08T22:06:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![loislane138](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@loislane138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loislane138)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2001, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809/21 "2001-05-10T03:59:59Z")

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When melting, styrofoam releases cyanide gas. The structual type of styrofoam is what I’m talking about, I’m not sure if dixie cup foam and sheet stock styrofoam is the same, though.

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**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\
**Post date:** [May 10, 2001, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809/22 "2001-05-10T06:05:22Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by loislane138 \*  
> When melting, styrofoam releases cyanide gas. The structual type of styrofoam is what I’m talking about, I’m not sure if dixie cup foam and sheet stock styrofoam is the same, though.

Do you have a cite?  
AFAIK, styrofoam is polystyrene blown with either HFCs or butane and contains no nitrogen whatsoever. So unless someone (who will become very rich) has found a method for atmospheric nitrogen fixation, I’d take that with a pinch of salt…unless you smell the almonds and start to suffer from cyanosis, then head for the amyl nitrate 😉

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**Author:** ![loislane138](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@loislane138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loislane138)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2001, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809/23 "2001-05-11T23:41:24Z")

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> **[Page Not Found - Southern Medical Association](https://sma.org/page-not-found/)**

“ìBurnt outî Styrofoam will produce cyanide gas. Although not generally associated with acute disease, long-term exposure may lead to symptoms. The symptoms most commonly reported in long-term exposure are breathing difficulty, headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, a bitter or almond taste in the mouth, hoarseness, conjunctivitis, palpitations, chest pains, weight loss, weakness, sleep disturbances, and altered mental status.11”  
I know this is a reputable source since the same author states:  
“Saws can cause lacerations and amputations.”

🙂

"

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**Author:** ![JamesCarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@JamesCarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamesCarroll)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809/24 "2001-05-12T00:29:37Z")

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You can try here:

[http://www.oitlnet.com/cyanides/potcyan.htm](http://www.oitlnet.com/cyanides/potcyan.htm)

It comes in 50kg drums. Apparently for the secret government agency looking to stock up…

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**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2001, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyanide-generic-or-brand-name/64809/25 "2001-05-12T00:53:20Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by JamesCarroll \*  
> It comes in 50kg drums. Apparently for the secret government agency looking to stock up…

I wonder how much it would cost to get _that_FedExed from India.

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