Cyanide is routinely analyzed in water samples, often to demonstrate regulatory compliance; however, improper sample collection or pretreatment can result in significant positive or negative bias potentially resulting in unnecessary permit violations or undetected cyanide releases into the environment.

1.1 This practice is applicable for the collection and preservation of water samples for the analysis of cyanide. This practice addresses the mitigation of known interferences prior to the analysis of cyanide. Responsibilities of field sampling personnel and the laboratory are indicated.

1.2 The sampling, preservation and mitigation of interference procedures described in this practice are recommended for the analysis of total cyanide, available cyanide, weak acid dissociable cyanide, and free cyanide by Test Methods D 2036, D 4282, D 4374, D 6888, D 6994, D 7237, D 7284, and D 7511. The information supplied in this practice can also be applied to other analytical methods for cyanide, for example, EPA Method 335.4.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.