Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Author:     ranger
Text:       What happens to the gas inside of a prison gas chamber after it 
has done its job?  How do they get rid of it?

Response #:  1 of 1
Author:      Eric Peterson 
Text:        Eric Peterson again -- My source says, that in practice, the gas 
is simply metered out into the atmosphere in small amounts until it is 
dissipated to the point of being non harmful.  Cyanide dissipates in air 
fairly evenly and becomes combined with other gasses to become harmless.  I 
asked if there were any written standards for this process, and he was going 
to try to find some.  When he does, I will let you know.