Do cyanide leaks threaten the environment and public health?

Pointing out that cyanide, which is an extremely dangerous compound, can lead to significant environmental impacts and public health risks if released into the environment, experts say that cyanide leaks will cause mass fish deaths, pollution of drinking water sources and even damage to agricultural lands.

Stating that cyanide leakage into groundwater can continue for a long time and pollute drinking water resources, Environmental Health Program Head Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller warned that "Cyanide leaking into the groundwater can also be transported throughout the basin where the groundwater is connected."

Üsküdar University Environmental Health Program Head Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller discussed cyanide and possible damages of cyanide due to the suspected leakage in the region after the landslide in the gold mine in Erzincan İliç. Dr. Adil evaluated the issue of mixing with soil and water.

"If cyanide is released into the environment, it can lead to environmental impacts and public health risks"

Stating that cyanide is a chemical that acts rapidly and can potentially have a fatal effect, Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller expressed that "Cyanide is an extremely dangerous compound and can lead to significant environmental impacts and public health risks if released into the environment. In long-term use of cyanide, it may be mixed with soil, water or even air. Cyanide leaks cause mass fish kills, contamination of drinking water sources, and even damage to farmland. Some sources claim that cyanide is relatively safe because it quickly breaks down in surface water, even if it is spilled. However, compounds in which cyanide breaks down can also be harmful."

"The leaked cyanide can also be transported throughout the basin where the groundwater is connected"

Asst. Prof. Adiller expressed that "Cyanide in the soil can dissolve with precipitation and pass into groundwater and surface waters. With this dissolution in water, it can be transported through streams and rivers and stream basins. In addition, cyanide seeping into the groundwater can be transported throughout the basin where the groundwater is connected." Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Ahmet Adiller continued his remarks as follows:

"Cyanide leakage into groundwater can persist for a long time and contaminate drinking water supplies. Cyanide-contaminated groundwater can also contaminate neighboring streams to which it is connected.”

What are the indirect effects of cyanide?

“In addition to the direct effects of cyanide, there are also indirect effects. When cyanide first enters the soil, it can make many minerals in balance in the soil react. Among these substances, there are also highly toxic and carcinogenic substances such as arsenic.

Although cyanide breaks down easily in nature, these substances do not break down in nature in a short time and can be transported between the elements of the environment. In particular, its transportation to agricultural lands and grazing areas causes these substances to pass into nutrients and increase their effectiveness."

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)