Which of the following industries is most likely to produce cyanide waste?

The metal finishing industry is most likely to produce cyanide waste due to the processes involved in electroplating, metal cleaning, and metal coating, where cyanide compounds are often used as part of the chemical solutions. Cyanide is commonly employed in these processes for its ability to dissolve metals and facilitate plating on surfaces, particularly for metals such as gold and silver.

The chemical reactions in metal finishing can generate significant amounts of cyanide waste, making it a critical area of concern in environmental compliance. The management and disposal of cyanide-bearing waste must adhere to strict regulations due to the highly toxic nature of cyanide to humans and aquatic life.

In contrast, while the pulp and paper mills, food processing, and textile manufacturing industries may deal with a variety of chemicals, they do not typically incorporate cyanide in their standard processes to the same extent as metal finishing. Therefore, the likelihood of cyanide waste generation is significantly lower in these sectors.