Did you know? Some foods we consume naturally contain cyanide, such as cassava and fresh bamboo shoots. Which, if not consumed in large quantities, can be life-threatening. They can be treated and consumed if cooked to reduce the amount of toxins.
Cyanide is a dangerous substance that many people know about its dangers and acute toxicity. It is classified as a type 3 hazardous substance according to the Hazardous Substances Act of 1992. If possessed without permission, there is a penalty of both imprisonment and fines. The most widely known is potassium cyanide, which appears as crystals or white powder. When in liquid form, http://ufabet999.app it is clear or a colorless gas with a pungent odor and is severely toxic when burned.
It can be irritating when inhaled and may cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abnormal blood circulation, cardiac arrest, cerebral edema, seizures, and unconsciousness, and may cause death very quickly.
Did you know ? Cyanide also occurs in nature.
Cyanide found in plants is in the form of toxic cyanogenenic glycosides. Which are naturally occurring toxic compounds in some plants, such as cassava, various types of rice such as cassava, black soap, fresh bamboo shoots, lima beans, and bitter almonds.
- Cassava is found in the form of linamarin and lotaustralin at 80-90 percent and the rest is found in the form of free cyanide or hydrogen cyanide. If raw cassava is eaten, the head, roots and leaves are poisonous and can be fatal. It affects the heart and blood vessels, causing less oxygen to enter brain cells. If plants containing this substance are eaten fresh, it causes vomiting, shortness of breath, convulsions. Muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, the breath smells of cyanide and can cause death. Symptoms of acute poisoning include dizziness, headache, stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Fresh bamboo shoots are highly nutritious, but you should avoid eating raw bamboo shoots or undercooked bamboo shoots. Because raw bamboo shoots contain substances that can turn into cyanide, which is toxic to the body and can cause harm to the body. The body’s mechanism is that if you take in a small amount, you can excrete it through the urine. However, if you take in a large amount, it may bind to substances in red blood cells instead of oxygen. Causing oxygen deficiency, unconsciousness, and death. Recommendations for boiling bamboo shoots, whether pickled bamboo shoots or canned bamboo shoots, especially fresh bamboo shoots , are that you should boil the water for at least 10 minutes to reduce cyanide by 90.5%.
However, there is no concern in eating these vegetables and fruits if they are washed thoroughly and cook to the highest temperature. Whether boiled, baked, fried, roasted or dried. They can be consumed as usual. Meanwhile, cassava flour itself goes through a manufacturing process such as milling after removing the shell. Which reduces the amount of cyanide to a level that is not harmful to consumption.
How to avoid cyanide
- No smoking
- Eat clean, well-cooked food.
- Store containers containing household chemicals in a tightly closed and suitable manner.
- Those working with chemicals should use the smallest chemical container possible, which may help reduce exposure to toxic substances in the event of an accident, as well as reduce the chances of contact and inhalation.
- Persons working with chemicals should not remove clothing or equipment that may be contaminate with cyanide from the workplace or take it home.
- Install a smoke detector, as cyanide can come in the form of smoke.
- Always wear protective equipment when working with chemicals or entering areas contaminated with cyanide.
- People who are at high risk of toxic exposure should see a doctor and have regular health check-ups.