What are Hydrogen cyanide and Hydrogen chloride classified as?

Hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride are classified as blood agents. Blood agents are chemicals that are absorbed into the bloodstream and interfere with the body's ability to use oxygen, often leading to suffocation at a cellular level. These substances disrupt cellular respiration, which can be particularly harmful and rapidly life-threatening.

Hydrogen cyanide, for instance, inhibits the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is crucial for oxygen utilization in cells, causing cellular asphyxiation. Hydrogen chloride, while primarily recognized for its irritating properties in gaseous form, can also act in a systemic manner when absorbed, impacting respiratory and other bodily functions similar to blood agents.

The definitions of the other classifications help contextualize why blood agents is the correct choice here. Choking agents typically cause damage to the lungs and respiratory system. Irritants are agents that cause immediate discomfort or inflammation upon contact. Pathogens refer to microorganisms that can cause disease, which does not apply to these chemicals. Each of these other classifications operates through different biological mechanisms than those exploited by blood agents.