Cyanide (inorganic) compounds: Sources of emissions
Industry sources
Silver and gold mining operations (water or soil release), chemical processing facilities (water or air release), steel and iron industries (water or air release), metallurgical industries (water release), metal plating and finishing facilities (water release) and petroleum refineries are the largest point sources of cyanide(water or air release).
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Use of pesticides (air, water, soil release) Burning of waste, tobacco products, certain plastics, wool, silk, and paper release cyanide to the air. Metal cleaning facilities tanneries, and photographic facilities may release cyanide to the air or water.
Natural sources
Some plants manufacture certain chemicals which when they decompose release cyanide. One of these chemicals (amygdalin) is found in the pits of apricots, peaches, cherries, apples, pears, and similar fruits and in sweet almonds. Enzymes in the human intestine are capable of releasing cyanide from this chemical, resulting in poisoning. Certain blue-green algae can produce cyanide as they metabolise nitrates.
Transport sources
Perhaps the largest source of mobile emissions of cyanide to the air is motor vehicle exhaust.
Consumer products
Consumer products containing cyanide products are pesticides, rodenticides, and other animal poisons, silver and metal polishes and photographic solutions.
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