Cyanide (inorganic) compounds: Health effects
Description
Very small amounts of cyanide in the form of vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin) are needed as part of a healthy diet. Cyanide is very toxic to humans and inhalation exposure can be rapidly fatal. Brief exposures to lower levels may result in shortness of breath, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Exposure to high levels for short periods may result in irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache, pounding of the heart, shortness of breath, harm to the central nervous system, the respiratory system, and the cardiovascular system, and quickly lead to death. Long term exposure to low levels of cyanide may cause deafness, vision problems, and loss of muscle coordination. It may also effect the thyroid gland, which may cause cretinism (retarded physical and mental growth in children), or enlargement and over activity of the gland. These long-term effects are seen in people who eat large amounts of cassava, a cyanide containing vegetable.
Entering the body
Cyanide can enter the body when a person breathes air containing hydrogen cyanide or dust from cyanide compounds. This is most common for people who smoke or work in areas of higher exposure or near to facilities where cyanide compounds are used or produced. Cyanide may also enter the body when a person eats food or drinks water containing it. Cyanide released to the soil may pass into underground water systems. Cyanide is able to pass through the skin.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce cyanide compounds are at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to cyanide by exposure to air from production and processing facilities such silver and gold mining operations, chemical processing facilities, steel and iron industries, metallurgical industries, metal plating and finishing facilities and petroleum. Consumers may also be exposed to cyanide when using consumer products containing cyanide, such as pesticides. People who live in areas of high motor vehicle traffic, smoke, or breath smoke from burning trash are also at higher risk of exposure to cyanide.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For Hydrogen cyanide, eight hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure limit: 11 mg/m3.
For other cyanide compounds, the TWA exposure limit is 5 mg/m3.
Worksafe Australia reports hydrogen cyanide, potassium cyanide, and sodium cyanide are all very toxic by inhalation.
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