Cyanide as Ecosystem Toxic Chemical Threat - Essay Example

Cyanide Section 1 Cyanide is a nitrogen- carbon chemical element that acts faster and is potentially dangerous. It combines and with several inorganic and organic compounds and thus exists in several forms; either colorless or in a crystal form and has bitter almond smell (CDC 1). The chemical used in the form of hydrogen cyanide to develop synthetic fibers as well as resins and compounds. Human beings get in contact with the chemical either through breathing, consumption of foods containing the chemical and through the skin absorption. A person exposed to cyanide has various features among them; rapid breathing, dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting and restlessness. Moreover, people exposed to large quantities of cyanide may experience health effects such as low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, respiratory failure resulting to death, convulsions, and slow heart rate (Wilder, 19). However, people who survive this deadly gas over long time may experience or develop heart and brain damage. Human beings get exposed to this deadly chemical by breathing air, eating contaminated food, drinking water, or touching soil contaminated with the cyanide. It gets into the soil, water, or air through industrial or natural processes. However, people who do not work in cyanide related industries get exposed to the chemical when they associate with cigarette smokers. People exposed to the deadly chemical need to move to areas where they will receive fresh air to reduce the possibility of death because of the exposure. The movement should be in relation to the origin or source of the chemical; move outside the building if released inside the building and whereas when released outside, get away from the scene. However, when the option of moving from the area is not possible, one should lie on the ground as low as possible to minimize inhaling a lot of cyanide gas (Barber & Vaughan, 4). In case one gets exposed to the chemical he should remove the clothing and seal them in a plastic bag and inform the health officers when they arrive. Moreover, when the eyes are itching or experiences blurred vision, one should rinse using plenty of water for 10 – 15 minutes. Cyanide in the skin should be thoroughly washed using soap and water. Further, whenever the chemical is swallowed, one should never induce vomiting or take fluids but should seek medical care as soon as possible (Edwards, 4). Cyanide poisoning is treated using specific medicine in conjunction with supportive medical care in hospital. Therefore, victims of cyanide exposure need to seek medical treatment as quick as possible. However, despite the widely recognized health impacts of cyanide, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the level of cyanide in drinking water with the aim of protecting the public from excessive exposure to the chemical, which can be detrimental (EPA, 1). EPA does not wholly condemn the existence of cyanide in the environment more specifically to the drinking water. This shows that the chemical is required to some controllable levels in the human drinking water. Therefore, it has set the recommended level of such chemical in water, and monitors to ensure that such levels are not surpassed. This is after being given the mandate when the Congress accepted and passed the Safety Drinking Water Act in 1997. The recommended level also known as maximum contamination level goals (MCLG); about 0. 2 mg/ L with consideration to the cost benefit as well as capability of the community water systems to detect as well as remove the contaminants by appropriate technologies (EPA, 1). Moreover, the Phase V of the regulation of cyanide demands EPA to constantly review the national primary law for every contaminant as well as revise the law in case there is a need. Moreover, despite the negative attributes associated with cyanide, it is also useful in paper manufacture, plastics, and textile processing which form vital goods used by man in daily life. Conversely, it is used for pest control in New Zealand, as a food additive, for fishing, medical purposes such as in measuring of urine ketone bodies, mining of gold as well as in human poisoning. Section 2 The environment is vulnerable to cyanide since the chemical is found in water, soil, and air, which man constantly meets in daily endeavors. 1) The presence of cyanide in the environment is an acute threat to organisms as well as to the normal function of the ecosystem. It is a severe threat since in large concentrations, the chemical leads to brain damage and thyroid problems (Laitos, 34). In extreme cases, exposure of to the chemical leads to death of the affected individuals thus loss of life. 2. Presence of cyanide in the environment is a chronic environmental threat since the chemical stays long in air, water and soil components before its effects reduce. Therefore, one needs to remain cautious not to stay long in areas with the chemical since its effects are gradual when in low concentrations. 3. The element can be both chronic and acute depending on the level of concentration in the environment. In situations that it is of low or moderate concentrations, its effects may be felt gradually thus accumulating in the body (Stewart, 25). This eventually leads to the brain and nerve problems and later result in death in case the affected person does not seek medical attention immediately. 4 The presence of cyanide in the environment forms a threat to biodiversity and to the entire ecosystem as a whole. When in the environment, cyanide exists in water, soil, and air, which forms ecosystem parts. Just like it affects human beings, exposure of the chemical to other living things leads to health problems and may eventually result in death. Death of such organisms lead to biodiversity loss and thus threatening the ecosystem integrity since other components are lost through death (Wilder, 19). Therefore, functions performed by the lost organisms become stopped, thus affecting energy flow and nutrient cycling. 5 However, the presence of cyanide does not target specific ecosystems or species. This is because the effect of the chemical in the environment affects a wide variety of organisms ranging from one species to another and from one ecosystem to another. Therefore, the chemical forms a threat to the entire earth ecosystem as well as to the entire living organisms. This is because it affects vital organs such as the brain and thyroid glands in living organisms. Section 3 1) The likelihood of the chemical being released into the environment and cause serious problems is high. This is because apart from the natural sources of the element certain forms of algae, fungi, and bacteria, certain fruit stones and seeds as well as plants such as cassava, large amounts of cyanide is produced from combustion or pyrolysis of certain elements in an oxygen deficient environment (Edwards, 7). This is common in the internal combustion of engines as well as tobacco smoking. Moreover, burning of certain plastics more so those derived from acrylonitrile, which emit hydrogen peroxide during burning or heating. Moreover, the element may be manufactured in industries from ammonia and methane in conjunction with oxygen and use of platinum as a catalyst. 2)The consequences of exposure of the chemical to the environment seems so severe in that in most instances it leads to the damage of essential body organs such as the brain and thyroid tissues (Edwards, 9). In extreme cases, presence of cyanide in large concentrations and over a long period might lead to death of various organisms and thus loss of critical biodiversity. 3) The ecosystem threat posed by the presence of cyanide in the environment is not bound to time and scale of coverage (Stewart, 29). This is because the element exists in various forms such as gaseous and solid form. Existing in gaseous form makes the extent of coverage of the element undefined since it can cover large areas of ecosystems within a short time, thus extending the extent of damage and impacts over a wide region. It can also dissolve in water or get in the soil thus affecting various organisms found in these ecosystems. 4) Despite the threat posed by cyanide, some remedies to curb the situation exist. These include; moving away from the source of cyanide, shelter, or taker cover, lie low on the ground, remove clothing, and disposing of the clothes, washing the body with lots of water to minimize the impact of the chemical on the body (Stewart, 28). These measures ensure minimal contact or exposure to the dangerous chemical. Moreover, more effort should be directed at minimizing production of the elements by controlling the sources for instance, setting limits to quantities to be produced. This will significantly reduce the concentration of cyanide in the environment. Section 4 1) Mitigation of the impacts of cyanide in the environment is possible through taking precautionary measures when handling products containing cyanide. For instance, one needs to handle foods such as cassava and stone fruits with care to ensure that the level of generation cyanide is minimized. This might be done through constant monitoring and taking precautionary measures to prevent massive or potential release of the element in the environment. Situations that may lead to generation of cyanide require constant control to report any release in the environment as quick as possible (Wilder, 20). 2) I would determine the chemical threats I contribute to the environment through my actions by constantly monitoring and evaluating of my actions in the environment. For instance, I would take time and walk around my compound every week to assess the impacts of my actions to the environment in the entire week (Wilder, 21). In case I find my actions have contributed to environmental chemical pollution, I would reconsider such actions and seek ways of controlling such impacts or stopping the activities whenever possible. 3) Respective government agencies dealing with toxic chemicals need to take precautionary measures whenever there is a looming threat of cyanide in the environment (Stewart, 27). For instance, industries responsible for generation of cyanide need close supervision to ensure that the quantities of the element produced are put under strict control. Moreover, violators of such laws need should be made to pay for such impacts and their licenses reviewed from time to time. The Indiana University needs to initiate teaching programs to the students on ways of dealing with cyanide in situations when one gets exposed to the chemical. Moreover, students must be trained on the importance of avoiding activities and actions that contribute or increase concentration of the chemical in the environment. Consequently, suppliers’ retailers and manufactures of cyanide products must take precaution when dealing with the product to ensure that minimal effects result from handling of the chemical. Section 5 The presence of cyanide in the environment is a looming crisis since it has been established to contribute to health problems and death in most times. Most organisms perish when exposed to cyanide irrespective of the concentration or time span (Stewart, 32). For instance, Germans used cyanide during the World War II, which lead to massive death of people. Moreover, the chemical is used in controlling pests, mining of gold as well as industries with the resultant effect of being released into the ecosystem. The resultant effect of such exposure may lead to gradual problems, which may pronounce with time, thus leading to death. Therefore, maximum care and various measures adopted to curb the situation before it results in massive ecosystem degradation and extinction of some species. Works Cited Barber, Charles VictorPratt, Vaughan R. "Poison And Profits. (Cover Story)." Environment 40.8 (1998): 4. CDC. Facts about Cyanide. Emergency Preparedness and Response. Retrieved 08. 10. 2012 from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/cyanide/basics/facts.asp Combined Exposures to Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide in Army Operations: Internal Report. Washington: National Academies Press, 2007. Edwards, Rob. "Toxic Wave." New Scientist Archive 165.2226 (2000): 12. New Scientist Archive. EPA. Basic Information about Cyanide in drinking Water. Retrieved 08. 12. 2012. from http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/cyanide.cfm Laitos, Jan G. "The Current Status Of Cyanide Regulations." Engineering & Mining Journal (00958948) 213.2 (2012): 34. Stewart, Charles E. Weapons of Mass Casualties and Terrorism Response Handbook. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett, 2006. Print. 34 Wilder, Ellen. "Cause Of Death: Cyanide Poisoning." E: The Environmental Magazine 7.6 (1996): 19. 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