Some people are very sensitive to HCN and can smell it very well, but it is known that appr. one third of people cannot smell HCN (this is genetically
determined). I am one of them. I once made some HCN on purpose (from a small spatula of KCN and some luke warm acid) and wafted it towards my nose. No
smell at all. As a test to be sure that my method of wafting works, I made some Cl2 in similar amounts and wafted that towards my nose. I was greeted
with a strong smell of chlorine. So, my conclusion is that I cannot smell HCN.
Then I destroyed the HCN by lighting it. It burns quite well, just keep a flame near the open end of the test tube. |