Cyanide and hydrogen cyanide are highly toxic. Regulations have been established to require the monitoring of cyanide in industrial and domestic wastewaters and surface waters.

This test method is applicable for natural water, saline waters, and wastewater effluent.

The method may be used for process control in wastewater treatment facilities.

The spot test outlined in Test Methods D2036, Annex A1 can be used to detect cyanide and thiocyanate in water or wastewater, and to approximate its concentration.

1.1 This method is used for determining total cyanide in drinking and surface waters, as well as domestic and industrial wastes. Cyanide ion (CN^-), hydrogen cyanide in water (HCN(aq)), and the cyano-complexes of zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury, nickel, silver, and iron may be determined by this method. Cyanide ions from Au(I), Co(III), Pd(II), and Ru(II) complexes are only partially determined.

1.2 The method detection limit (MDL) is 1.0 μg/L cyanide and the minimum level (ML) is 3 μg/L. The applicable range of the method is 3 to 500 μg/L cyanide using a 200-μL sample loop. Extend the range to analyze higher concentrations by sample dilution or changing the sample loop volume.

1.3 This method can be used by analysts experienced with equipment using segmented flow analysis (SFA) and flow injection analysis (FIA) or working under the close supervision of such qualified persons.

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

1.5 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. Specific hazard statements are given in Note 2 and Section 9.