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May 30, 2006

Study: More education needed on cyanide dangers

PROVIDENCE -- Firefighters, medical personnel, and the general public need more education on the dangers of cyanide poisoning, according to the results of a 90-page study released this afternoon by a Providence Fire Department task force.

The group investigated the issue for two months, finding that "overwhelming evidence exists that cyanide is present in fire smoke more commonly and in greater quantities than previously believed," according to the report.

The task force was formed in March days after nearly two dozen city firefighters, including one who suffered a heart attack, were tested for cyanide poisoning at building fires.

Aside from training, other task force recommendations include the acquisition of cyanide detection equipment. City officials plan to work with a Connecticut company to devise better testing protocols.

-- With reports from Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:25 PM | Permalink

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