They can affect you when breathed or passed through skin. Widely used in industrial processes as reactant or catalysers. These are introduced into waterways from spills, industrial discharges, improper disposals, leaking automobiles, runoff from city streets, and leaking tanks and landfills. Normally not found at high concentration in water, they nevertheless tend to concentrate in component such as clay sediments and living organism like mollusks and shellfish. Being not degradable, they persist in the environment, causing long term pollution no Cyanides Cyanide affects the ability of our tissues to use oxygen.
Health effects are similar whether cyanides are breathed, ingested, or come in contact with skin.
Symptoms of severe intoxication are difficult breathing, irregular heart beat, uncontrolled movement. Most cyanides come from industrial processes and are hazardous. They generally present a bitter almond smell.