Q Team:
Read this, these plants should be illegal to grow, trust me I am not just venting here. The entire "Hydrangeas" plant, including the flower buds, is quite toxic to pets and humans. All parts of Hydrangea contain traces of "cyanide". Accidental ingestion could cause shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and a rapid pulse. Severe cases of poisoning could also lead to convulsions and death.
Facts About Cyanide:
Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms.
Cyanide can be a colorless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN).
Cyanide sometimes is described as having a “bitter almond” smell, but it does not always give off an odor, and not everyone can detect this odor.
.
Hydrogen cyanide, under the name Zyklon B, was used as a genocidal agent by the Germans in World War II.
The extent of poisoning caused by cyanide depends on the amount of cyanide a person is exposed to, the route of exposure, and the length of time that a person is exposed.
Breathing cyanide gas causes the most harm, but swallowing cyanide can be toxic as well.
Cyanide gas is most dangerous in enclosed places where the gas will be trapped.
Cyanide gas evaporates and disperses quickly in open spaces, making it less harmful outdoors.
Cyanide gas is less dense than air; so it will rise.
Cyanide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. When this happens, the cells die.
Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and brain than to other organs because the heart and brain use a lot of oxygen.
Immediate signs and symptoms of exposure to cyanide
People exposed to a small amount of cyanide by breathing it, absorbing it through their skin, or eating foods that contain it may have some or all of the following signs and symptoms within minutes:
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid breathing
Rapid heart rate
Restlessness
Weakness
Exposure to a large amount of cyanide by any route may cause these other health effects as well:
Convulsions
Loss of consciousness
Low blood pressure
Lung injury
Respiratory failure leading to death
Slow heart rate
Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to cyanide.
Long-term health effects of exposure to cyanide
Survivors of serious cyanide poisoning may develop heart, brain and nerve damage.
Cyanide poisoning is treated with specific antidotes and supportive medical care in a hospital setting. Antidotes for cyanide poisoning are most useful if given as soon as possible after exposure. Clinicians should treat suspected cases accordingly and not wait for laboratory confirmation. The most important thing is for victims to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
How you can get more information about cyanide
You can contact one of the following:
Regional poison control center: 1-800-222-1222
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Response Hotline (CDC)
800-CDC-INFO
888-232-6348 (TTY)