What is Cyanide?
Cyanide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CN-. It is a highly toxic substance that can be found in a variety of forms, including liquid, gas, and solid. Cyanide is used in a number of industrial processes, including mining, pest control, and metal cleaning.
Health Risks of Cyanide Exposure
Cyanide is a very toxic substance that can cause serious health problems if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Exposure to cyanide can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
In severe cases, cyanide exposure can lead to death. Cyanide works by preventing the body from using oxygen, which can quickly lead to organ failure.
Regulations for Cyanide Exposure
There are a number of regulations in place to protect people from exposure to cyanide. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for cyanide in drinking water of 0.2 mg/L. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for cyanide in the workplace of 5 mg/m3.
Measuring Cyanide Levels
The concentration of cyanide in water can be measured in parts per million (ppm). There are a number of kits available to measure cyanide levels in water.
All of those units can be found here: https://www.gas-sensing.com/support/gas-information/cyanide.html
Conclusion
Cyanide is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. There are a number of regulations in place to protect people from exposure to cyanide. If you are concerned about your exposure to cyanide, you should talk to your doctor.