Process for the detoxification of aqueous solutions containing cyanohydrins and/or nitriles

A process for the detoxification of an aqueous solution which contains a cyano compound which is a cyanohydrin or a nitrile and mixtures thereof each of said cyanohydrin and nitrile having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, whereby said cyanohydrin and nitrile is converted into the corresponding non-toxic hydroxycarboxylic acid or carboxylic acid, and which in addition contains a manganese compound, comprising carrying out a perhydrolysis reaction of 5.degree. to 80.degree. and a pH value of from 8 to 12, wherein said peroxide compound used for perhydrolysis is one or more peroxide compounds selected from the group consisting of alkali metal percarbonates and perborates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and alkaline earth metal peroxides, the said peroxide compound being added in solid form or dissolved or suspended in water to the solution to be detoxified or formed in situ in the said solution from hydrogen peroxide and a source of a metaborate and a source of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal or formed in situ from hydrogen peroxide and a source of an alkaline earth metal.