Potassium cyanide vapour pollution scaring people of 'Bandar'

Machilipatnam, Apr 21 (UNI)The gold covering industry in this town is posing a grave environmental problem of pollution as potassium cyanide vapours are emitted during the process of electro plating.

According to a survey, potassium cyanide is being used indicscriminately in the gold covering units and the 'deadly' chemical was also being sold freely without proper permission from authorities.

People living in the town, which is also known as 'Bandar', have been urging the authorities to regulate the indiscriminate use of potassium cyanide. The toxic vapurs have taken a heavy toll of cattle also.

When inhaled, the higly toxic vapours cause damage to skin, eyes, respiratory tract, the central nervous system and the thyroid gland, besides the gastro-intestinal tract.

Workers in the gold covering industry often suffer due to constant exposure to these vapours. Due to this, it is mandatory that they undergo periodic medical examination.

UNI