In general, most people may think that cyanide is a distant thing. In fact, Is unknowingly present in our daily lives. For example, apple seeds, apricots, peaches, pears, and bitter almonds. Cyanide can also be found in the tubers and leaves of cassava and bamboo shoots. Therefore, we should never eat the seeds of these fruits, including raw cassava or bamboo shoots. We should also eliminate cyanide by simple methods such as boiling and cooking. In addition, cyanide can also be found in cigarettes.
Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical that can act quickly after being ingested. Inhibits cell function, preventing the cells from using oxygen, which can be fatal. Has a distinctive odor called bitter almond and can be found in many forms, including:
- Hydrogen cyanide gas is a colorless gas that can be found in burning plastics, melamine, animal hair, and artificial leather. It is commonly found in fires.
- Cyanide salts are white crystals or powders, such as Sodium and Potassium. They are commonly used in industrial applications, metal plating, and chemical synthesis, such as UFABET, flux, paint, and some insecticides. They are also found in some household chemicals, such as nail polish remover containing acetonitrile, and silver cleaners.
- The natural source of hydrogen cyanide is a sugar-like compound called amygdalin, which is found in fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts such as apricots, peaches, bean sprouts, corn, mangoes, cherries, potatoes, and soybeans.
Symptoms of chronic exposure to small amounts of cyanide include headache, taste disturbances, vomiting, chest pain, stomach pain, and restlessness. Vision loss is especially common in those who smoke regularly. Accumulation of cyanide from eating excessive amounts of certain plants, such as cassava, can cause numbness, loss of balance, hearing loss, and optic nerve atrophy, all of which can be relieved by taking vitamin B12.
How to protect yourself
- Avoid eating seeds from fruits such as apple, apricot, peach, pear, and bitter almonds.
- If eating cassava or bamboo shoots, they should be cooked thoroughly before eating.
- In case of fire, crouch down, cover your nose, and crawl to avoid inhaling smoke containing.
In fact, Is not far from you or your family. It is hidden in many household items, including vegetables and fruits that we eat. Therefore, learning about cyanide and how to protect yourself from this dangerous substance is important for you to study.