This fact sheet provides information on the legislation covering cyanide in Western Australia as well as safe handling, storage, disposal, health effects, first aid and safety issues relating to fires involving cyanide.
Cyanide is a rapidly acting, poisonous chemical that can exist as a solid, solution (liquid) or gas. All forms of cyanide are poisonous.
Cyanide salts are used in metallurgy, mainly gold extraction, electroplating and metal cleaning. In manufacturing cyanide is used to make paper, textiles and plastics.