hydrogen peroxide). Cyanide remaining in the plating bath is destroyed by treatment with hypochlorite before the liquid is discharged to sewer as trade waste. Before final disposal the remaining metals are precipitated and the resulting sludge may be treated to recover metals or transferred as hazardous waste to secure landfill. Volume score <1% 1 5% 5 10% 10 20% 20% – – – ≥ (% of national tonnes in 2013) 0.001% How much is generated in TOTAL: 108 ACT: 0 NSW: 1 Australia? Waste arising in NT: 0 Qld: 15 SA: 13 2013 (tonnes) Tas: 0 Vic: 26 WA: 52 These water-soluble cyanides are extremely toxic to humans, and toxic effects can also be experienced from fume or mist containing Overview cyanides and gaseous hydrogen cyanide that might exist in equilibrium with the dissolved species. Extreme: Ingestion of small quantities of cyanide leads to failure of Acute toxicity Potential health the central nervous and respiratory systems and rapid death. impacts Low- medium: Long-term exposure to lower concentrations of Chronic toxicity cyanide can affect many body functions. Carcinogenicity Cyanides are not known to be carcinogenic. Reproductive Cyanides do not exhibit reproductive toxicity. toxicity Good ventilation of the workplace and implementation of safe working practices is Workplace essential where cyanides are handled. Codes of conduct exist for transport of cyanides health & safety used in the mining industry. Provision of personal protective equipment may be necessary impacts where spills or leaks occur. Population There are no impacts on the wider community from these industrial chemicals. scale impacts Overview Cyanides are toxic to all animal species. Acute effects can be observed when animals have access Extreme: to tailings dams in which cyanide-containing material is concerned. Acute ecotoxicity Fences can restrict access of many species but birds may still be at Potential risk. environment impacts Chronic High: Cyanides exhibit high long-term chronic toxicity to aquatic life. ecotoxicity Low: Cyanides are destroyed in the environment, mainly by Persistence oxidation, and so are not persistent.
hydrogen peroxide). Cyanide remaining in the plating bath is destroyed by treatment with hypochlorite before the liquid is discharged to sewer as trade waste. Before final disposal the remaining metals are precipitated and the resulting sludge may be treated to recover metals or transferred as hazardous waste to secure landfill. How much is generated in Australia? Volume score (% of national tonnes in 2013) <1% 1 – 5% 5 – 10% 10 – 20% ≥ 20% 0.001% Waste arising in 2013 (tonnes) TOTAL: 108 ACT: 0 NSW: 1 NT: 0 Qld: 15 SA: 13 Tas: 0 Vic: 26 WA: 52 Potential health impacts Overview These water-soluble cyanides are extremely toxic to humans, and toxic effects can also be experienced from fume or mist containing cyanides and gaseous hydrogen cyanide that might exist in equilibrium with the dissolved species. Acute toxicity Extreme: Ingestion of small quantities of cyanide leads to failure of the central nervous and respiratory systems and rapid death. Chronic toxicity Low- medium: Long-term exposure to lower concentrations of cyanide can affect many body functions. Carcinogenicity Cyanides are not known to be carcinogenic. Reproductive toxicity Cyanides do not exhibit reproductive toxicity. Workplace health & safety impacts Good ventilation of the workplace and implementation of safe working practices is essential where cyanides are handled. Codes of conduct exist for transport of cyanides used in the mining industry. Provision of personal protective equipment may be necessary where spills or leaks occur. Population scale impacts There are no impacts on the wider community from these industrial chemicals. Potential environment impacts Overview Cyanides are toxic to all animal species. Acute ecotoxicity Extreme: Acute effects can be observed when animals have access to tailings dams in which cyanide-containing material is concerned. Fences can restrict access of many species but birds may still be at risk. Chronic ecotoxicity High: Cyanides exhibit high long-term chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Persistence Low: Cyanides are destroyed in the environment, mainly by oxidation, and so are not persistent.
hazardous-waste-impacts.docx