CYANIDE

About:

• Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly chemical that can exist in various forms. Cyanide can be a colorless gas, such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) or cyanogen chloride (CNCl), or a crystal form such as sodium cyanide (NaCN) or potassium cyanide (KCN).
  
  
• Cyanide is released from natural substances in some foods and in certain plants such as cassava, lima beans and almonds.
  
  
• Cyanide is used in the extraction and polishing of gold, and for gold-plating. The ornament industry uses the chemical to give gold its reddish yellow colour, believed to be the “original” colour of the metal, and for ridding it of impurities.
  
  
• Cyanide gas is used to exterminate pests and vermin in ships and buildings.