METHOD OF MAKING AQUEOUS SOLUTION CONTAINING CYANHYDRIN AND/OR NITRILE HARMLESS

The invention relates to a process for detoxifying aqueous solutions containing cyanohydrins, in particular glycolonitrile and/or nitriles, which additionally contain decomposition catalysts for peroxide compounds, in particular manganese compounds, by perhydrolysis of the cyano compounds at temperatures of 5 to 80 DEG C and pHs of 8 to 12, with one or more peroxide compounds selected from the group comprising the alkali metal percarbonates, alkali metal perborates and alkaline earth metal perborates and the alkaline earth metal peroxides, the peroxide compounds mentioned being added as such to the solution to be detoxified or are formed in situ in the solution to be detoxified. Sodium percarbonate is preferably used. The process according to the invention is more effective and more economical than the previously known process using hydrogen peroxide.