Nine People Transported for Cyanide Exposure in Colo.

AURORA, Colo. --

Nine people, including eight emergency responders, were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning after they were exposed to potassium cyanide.

A man made a cryptic, vague 911 call just before 9 a.m. saying he had cyanide in a glass of water. He did not give his identity, his location, nor his intention with the cyanide, said Aurora fire Capt. Allen Robnett.

However, using his cell phone number, officers were able to track down his name and learn that there was an active warrant for his arrest. The warrant had his last known address -- the Skyview RV Park, Unit 57, at 16051 E. Colfax Avenue near Laredo Street.

Two police officers went to the trailer park and talked to the man, who apparently drank some cyanide and spilled the rest as police tried to confiscate it, according to doctors at University Hospital.

Robnett added Hazmat investigators don't know how much cyanide was exposed.

At first, firefighters transported the man and two police officers to the hospital. But while decontaminating the RV, the hazardous materials team transported four additional officers and two medics as a precaution, Robnett said.

However, none of the first responders showed any symptoms, Robnett said.

University Hospital said it evaluated nine people -- and admitted two to the hospital. The man was admitted to the intensive care unit in fair condition, and an officer was admitted for observation, said Erika Matich, a spokeswoman with the University of Colorado Hospital.

The other seven people were evaluated, treated and released, Matich said.

Parts of the trailer park were also shut down as Hazmat crews tried to control the exposure.

"The cops were in and out, telling us we couldn't go in. They had that area blocked off, they had that area blocked off and they had the other ... I mean it was pretty much containment," said witness Mike Hargrove.

Exposure to potassium cyanide can lead to death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, potassium cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide gas, a highly toxic chemical asphyxiant that interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen. Exposure to potassium cyanide can be rapidly fatal. It immediately affects organs most sensitive to low oxygen such as the brain, the heart and the lungs.

Dr. Andrew Ternay, an expert in counterterrorism and murder, said that a single teaspoon of potassium cyanide is lethal enough to kill an adult.

"The last minute or two you are in convulsions," he said. "It is not a pretty way to die. You would shut down a third of the chemical reactions in your body and you die."

The most infamous use of cyanide as a lethal gas was in the German concentration camps during the Holocaust.

Ternay said it is not difficult to acquire cyanide and that the chemical has many practical uses such as mining and electroplating.

Potassium cyanide is not generally used for making meth, but it has been used in other parts of the country as a component in booby traps around meth labs, a law enforcement source said.

Robnett said at this time the man is not going to be charged with any crimes. He could not get into details but cited a medical reason as to why charges would not be pursued at this time.

"We still have the option to go in a different direction at a later time," he said.

"For people who survive cyanide poisoning, there's no lasting harm or side effects," said Dr. Eric Lavonas, associate director for the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.

Robnett said a private company that specializes in Hazmat cleanups has been contracted to do the cleanup. He added it might decide to scrap the trailer if it is too saturated with cyanide or if the cost of the cleanup is greater than the value of the trailer.