Zyklon B

E2306

Zyklon B was a cyanide-based pesticide infamously used by Nazi Germany as a chemical agent for mass murder in extermination camps during the Holocaust.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Zyklon B to Nazi concentration camps 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf chemical weapon
cyanide-based pesticide
pesticide
activationMethod opening of canisters in enclosed spaces
associatedWithCrime crimes against humanity
associatedWithEvent Nazi genocide
bannedFor civilian use in many countries after World War II
chemicalComposition hydrogen cyanide
classifiedAs weapon of mass destruction
considered highly controversial and infamous chemical product
contains hydrogen cyanide
stabilizers
warning odorant
deliveryMethod released in sealed chambers
developedBy Degesch
developedInCountry Germany
effectOnVictims rapid suffocation and death
form solid carrier impregnated with hydrogen cyanide
gasReleased hydrogen cyanide gas
historicalSignificance symbol of industrialized mass murder during the Holocaust
introducedAsPesticide 1920s
legalStatus use as a weapon is prohibited under international law
mechanismOfAction inhibition of cellular respiration
notableUse Holocaust
mass murder of Jews
mass murder of Roma
mass murder of other prisoners
odor added warning odorant in commercial pesticide form
physicalStateAtRoomTemperature solid pellets or discs
relatedTo Holocaust
chemical warfare
hydrogen cyanide
releaseTriggeredBy exposure to air
storageForm sealed metal canisters
toxicTo humans
insects
usedAs chemical agent for mass murder
fumigant
pesticide
usedBy Nazi Germany
usedByOrganization SS
usedDuring World War II
usedFor disinfestation of buildings
disinfestation of ships
disinfestation of warehouses
usedIn AuschwitzBirkenau
surface form: Auschwitz concentration camp

Majdanek
surface form: Majdanek concentration camp

other Nazi extermination camps

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Degesch notableProduct Zyklon B
IG Farben produced Zyklon B
IG Farben supplied Zyklon B
this entity surface form: Zyklon B to Nazi concentration camps
subject surface form: Auschwitz-Birkenau