Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanides : Human Health Aspects

This publication, part of a series from the International Programme on Chemical Safety, evaluates the risks that cyanides present to human health.

Cyanides include a wide range of compounds of varying degrees of chemical complexity, all of which contain the CN moiety.

Cyanides are widely used in industry, and hydrogen cyanide gas is also used as a fumigant.

The principal natural sources of cyanides are over 2000 plant species, including fruits and vegetables that contain cyanogenic glycosides, such as cassava and sorghum.