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Review
. 2017 Jul;24(19):15929-15948.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-9081-7. Epub 2017 May 16.

Cyanides in the environment-analysis-problems and challenges

Ewa Jaszczak  1 , Żaneta Polkowska  2 , Sylwia Narkowicz  2 , Jacek Namieśnik  2
Affiliations
Review

Cyanides in the environment-analysis-problems and challenges

Ewa Jaszczak et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Cyanide toxicity and their environmental impact are well known. Nevertheless, they are still used in the mining, galvanic and chemical industries. As a result of industrial activities, cyanides are released in various forms to all elements of the environment. In a natural environment, cyanide exists as cyanogenic glycosides in plants seeds. Too much consumption can cause unpleasant side effects. However, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is the most common source of cyanide. Live organisms have the ability to convert cyanide into less toxic compounds excreted with physiological fluids. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge on the behaviour of cyanide in the environment and its impact on the health and human life.

Keywords: Cyanide determination; Cyanide in food; Cyanide ion; Cyanide toxicity; Cyanides in the environment; Tobacco smoke.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Sources of cyanide in the environment
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cyanide forms and species
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Tobacco smoke components
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Processes of cyanide transformations occurring in water and soil
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Catabolism and detoxification of cyanogenic glycosides
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Basic processes involved in the metabolism of cyanide
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Schematic representation of the impact of cyanides on the human body
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Toxicity of cyanide forms
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
Interfering substances in the determination of cyanide ions
Fig. 10
Fig. 10
a, b Sample preparation
Fig. 11
Fig. 11
Information on the use of traps to trap tobacco smoke constituents
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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