2.1 The working range is 0.25 ppm to 25 ppm cyanide.

2.2 The detection limit is about 0.25 ppm cyanide for linear response.

3.1 The following precision and accuracy data are based on 57 quality control samples prepared by the QC department of the OSHA Analytical Laboratory and analyzed there. They were mixed cellulose ester filters spiked with a CN¯ salt solution in the range of 200-400 µg CN¯. The calculated (CV_T) = 0.11 with a standard deviation = 0.10. The mean recovery 0.997.

4.1 Ions that form insoluble silver salts such as Cl¯, I¯, Br¯ (8.1) (i.e., I- conc. greater than 1/10 the CN - conc.). 

4.2 Many transition and heavy metals that form very stable cyanide complexes such as Fe⁺² , Fe⁺³ , Co⁺³ , Ni⁺² , Cu⁺, Ag⁺, Cd⁺, Hg⁺² etc. The extent of complexation is dependent upon the concentration of metal ions present, cyanide concentration and the solution pH (8.1). 

4.3 Sulfide ion. Presence of sulfide ion in the sample solution will poison the electrode. (8.3)

5.1 The procedure is quick and simple and has a large concentration range. 

5.2 High concentration samples can quickly damage the electrode.

5.3 Impinger solutions can easily be lost during collection. 

5.4 Particulate CN¯ collected on a filter converts to HCN upon 
exposure to moisture in the air. Studies show approximately 16% conversion. (8.1) 

5.5 Strong reducing solutions in the atmosphere or sulfide contaminants cause damage to the electrode. (8.1)

6.1 The sample is drawn through a cassette containing a 37-mm mixed cellulose ester membrane filter ahead of a midget impinger containing 10 mL of 0.1 N NaOH. A flow rate of 1.0 L/min and a minimum sampling time of 60 minutes are recommended. the filter is used to collect particulate cyanide while the impinger collects HCN gas. 

6.2 The filter cassettes are plugged. Within 1 hour of sampling, transfer the filter to a screw-cap vial. The vial is sealed with OSHA tape, and sent to the laboratory for analysis. 

6.3 The impinger solutions are transferred to leak-proof vials with Teflon-lined caps. Vinyl or waterproof tape is used around the caps to prevent leakage during shipment. The tape is wrapped around the cap in the direction the cap is turned. The vials are also sealed with an official OSHA seal and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

6.4 Analysis should be completed as soon as possible to avoid losses due to decomposition or volatilization of HCN.

7.1 Apparatus

7.1.1 Cyanide Ion Specific Electrode - Orion Model 94-06 or equivalent.

7.1.2 Orion single-junction reference electrode Model 90-01-00 or equivalent.

7.1.3 Magnetic stirrer and Teflon stirring bars or battery operated stirring rod.

7.1.4 Millivolt meter (with expanded scale)-Orion Ionalyzer 940 or equivalent.

7.1.5 Calibrated personal sampling pump.

7.1.6 Midget impinger and filter cassette assembly.

7.1.7 Associated laboratory glassware including volumetric flasks, plastic beakers, pipettes, etc.

7.2 Reagents

7.2.1 0.1 N NaOH solution - 4.0 g NaOH is added to approximately 600 mL deionized water and the solution is diluted to 1 liter. The solution is stored in a polyethylene bottle.

7.2.2 1000 ppm CN¯ standard solution - 1.88 g NaCN reagent grade or better is added to approximately 600 mL 0.1 N NaOH. The solution is diluted to 1 liter with 0.1 N NaOH and stored in a polyethylene bottle. The solution is stable for at least 6 months.

7.2.3 Lead acetate paper.

7.2.4 Cadmium carbonate. ACS reagent grade or better.

7.3 Safety Precautions

7.3.1 Cyanide compounds are powerful poisons which prevent the utilization of oxygen by the body tissues. Cyanides which contact the skin or eyes should be washed off immediately since they can be absorbed through the skin.

7.3.2 Disposal of samples should be accomplished by pouring down a sink with copious amounts of tap water. In no case should cyanide standards come in contact with acids since this will produce deadly hydrogen cyanide gas.

7.4. Standard Preparation

7.4.1. All previously cleaned glassware is rinsed with 0.1 N NaOH and deionized water prior to use.

7.4.2. Standard solutions are prepared by appropriate dilution of stock 1000 ppm CN¯ solution. All dilutions are made using 0.1 N NaOH. 100 ppm, 25 ppm, 10 ppm, 1 ppm, and 0.1 ppm solutions are made in the following manner:
 

Standard Solution used	Dilution	Final Conc.
1000 ppm CN	10 mL:100 mL	100 ppm CN¯
100 ppm	25 mL:100 mL	25 ppm
100 ppm	10 mL:100 mL	10 ppm
10 ppm	10 mL:100 mL	1 ppm
1 ppm	10 mL:100 mL	0.1 ppm

7.5 Sample Preparation

7.5.1 The volume of each impinger sample solution is measured and recorded. If an analysis other than hydrogen cyanide is to be done, then an aliquot of the sample is measured out for cyanide analysis into a 25 mL volumetric flask and diluted to volume with 0.1 N NaOH. The entire sample may be used as the aliquot if no other analyses are required.

7.5.2 Filter samples are transferred to a 50 mL plastic beaker and desorbed with 25 mL 0.1 N NaOH for at least 30 minutes with occasional agitation. If an analysis other than cyanide is to be done, then an aliquot of the sample is measured out for cyanide analysis into a 25 mL volumetric flask and diluted to volume with 0.1 N NaOH. The entire sample may be used as the aliquot if no other analyses are required.

7.5.3 A bulk sample is prepared by weighing out 1 g of the sample and dissolving it in enough 0.1 N NaOH to give a total volume of 25 mL.

7.5.4 Sulfide ion contamination of the sample solution is determined by touching a drop of the sample solution to a piece of lead acetate paper. Discoloration of the test paper indicates sulfide ion contamination. If no sulfide is indicated, proceed to 7.6. (8.2)

7.5.5 Sulfide ion contamination can be removed from the sample solutions by addition of a small amount (spatula tip) of cadmium carbonate to the sample. The solution pH must be in the range 11-13. After each addition of cadmium carbonate, the sample is swirled and rechecked for sulfide ion presence prior to addition of more cadmium carbonate. (Note: Avoid a large excess of cadmium carbonate and long contact times.)

7.5.6 When a drop of liquid no longer discolors the strip of 
lead acetate paper, solids are removed by filtering the sample solution through a plug of glass wool contained in a small glass funnel. The funnel is not rinsed since the sample has already been diluted to volume.

7.6 Analysis

7.6.1 The cap is removed from the CN¯ ion specific electrode. (Note: The electrode should be stored dry with a cap over the end.) Polish the end of the electrode with some deionized water and a polishing strip (94-82-01) for about 30 seconds. This will remove build-up and improve 
electrode response. Do this before and after electrode use.

7.6.2 The single-junction reference electrode is filled with saturated KC1 filling solution (90-00-01). (Note: The reference electrode should be stored empty and dry as response time will be quicker.) It should be stored dry only after it has been thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.

7.6.3 The potentiometer, Orion 940 Ionalyzer or Altex SelectIon 5000, is used following manufacturer's instructions. Plug the electrodes into the appropriate jacks on the back of the instrument.

7.6.4 Samples and standards are placed in 50 mL polyethylene beakers, Each is analyzed in the relative mV or concentration mode. (Note: See instrument instructions for use of either mode. See table 1 for the instructions for the Orion 940.) A battery operated stirring rod is inserted into the solution before each analysis. The reproducibility of sample concentration is dependent on constant electrode temperature and constant stirring rate.

7.6.5 The electrodes are placed into the solution at about the same depth each time, making sure the stirring rod does not contact the electrodes.

7.6.6 Electrodes should be removed from solutions reading higher than the 25 ppm CN¯ standard and an aliquot should be taken and diluted to 25 mL with 0.1 N NaOH for analysis. Failure to remove the electrode immediately will cause damage to the electrode@ and shorten its life. If the electrode is exposed to a sample of high concentration it should be quickly removed from the solution, polished with a polishing strip and rinsed well. Check its response in a standard solution to be sure it is giving a reproducible reading before proceeding.

7.6.7 Electrode voltage readings are allowed to stabilize for each sample. They stabilize faster in higher concentration solutions than in lower ones. The stable reading is recorded. Between samples, the electrodes are rinsed with deionized water and carefully blotted dry prior to introduction into the next one to avoid contamination. If the next sample is not immediately ready for determination, the electrodes should be placed in 0.1 N NaOH solution to reduce electrode stabilization time.

7.6.8 Typical voltage readings for 1, 10, and 25 ppm CN standard solutions are -115 mV, -175 mV, and -200 mV ±20 mV. Standards should be read at the beginning of the sample run and also at the end. Selected standards should be read between sample determinations to bracket sample values obtained.

7.6.9 The 1 ppm CN¯ standard mV reading should be logged into the QC worksheet near the bench along with the I.S.E. and reference electrode ID numbers. The analyst initials and date should be included.

7.7 Calculations

7.7.1 Since the instrument was calibrated in the concentration mode the readings are simply plotted versus concentration of standards in ppm using the colorimetric or AA least squares plotting programs. Both of these curves give the sample ppm of CN.

7.7.2 The equation for calculating the air concentration of CN¯ in mg/m³ is:

mg	=	(sample ppm × dilution factor - blank ppm) × 25 ml
m³		Air Volume (L)

7.7.3 The equation for calculating the air concentration of HCN gas in ppm is:

(result from equation in 7.7.3) × (1.038) × (0.906)

where the gravimetric factor = 1.038 for HCN from CN and the ppm in air conversion factor = 0.906 for HCN.

This may be entered in the Auto AA program by combining the factors and entering the result as a "gravimetric factor" of 0.9404. [0-9404 = (1-038)(0-906)]