Cyanide and the toy of the century
If you have followed previous blog posts, you are by now aware of the presence of cyanide in food and water and the importance of monitoring this toxic compound. What you might not be aware of (yet) is the fact that cyanide-containing compounds are part of our everyday life.
I bet you played at least once in your lifetime with LEGO figures and by looking at the yellow-faced figures below far memories will be triggered. And when I say “far”, I’m talking about the glorious time you had assembling a LEGO Castle last weekend. No wonder why LEGO was named “Toy of the Century” by the British Association of Toy Retailers in 2000.
This being said, have you ever asked yourself (or brickipedia) what these colourful bricks are made of?
Since 1963 LEGO elements are produced using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This plastic polymer gives LEGO figures their characteristic hardness and resistance. What you might not know, is that up to 35% of ABS consists of the cyanide-containing compound acrylonitrile.
Before I scrap your plans for the weekend or you start considering buying a gas mask for your upcoming brick construction… don’t panic! ABS is harmless under normal conditions and actually no cyanide is released when you play with it.
One thing though, toxic hydrogen cyanide originates during the combustion of ABS…so don’t burn it!
P.S.: Show some respect for both human and LEGO firefighters!
