ASTM D5049-90

Standard Test Method for the Screening of Cyanides in Waste (Withdrawn 1999)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is applicable to the screening of cyanides in waste liquids, sludges, semisolids, and solids. The following test methods are included: Sections Test Method A---Chloramine T 12 through 14 Test Method B---Prussian Blue 15 through 17 Test Method C---Cyantesmo Paper 18 through 20 Test Method D---Gas Detector Tube 21 through 25
1.2 This test method is designed and intended as a preliminary test to complement the more sophisticated quantitative analytical techniques that may be used to determine cyanide concentration. This test method offers, to the user, the option and the ability to "screen" waste for potentially hazardous levels of cyanide when the more sophisticated techniques are not available and the total waste composition is unknown.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems 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 information is given in Section 8 and 18.5.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1989
• Withdrawal Date: 31-Jan-1999
• ICS: 13.030.30 - Special wastes
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5049-23 - Standard Practice for Screening of Cyanides in Waste
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

ASTM D5049 90 0757510 0057962 2
AMBAIOAN SOCIETV POR TEôTlNO AND MATERIALS
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Standard Test Method for
the screening SP Cyanides sri waste’
This standard is issued under the fixed designation B 5049; thc numbcr immediately following the desigiiation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of lait revkion. A number in parentheso indicates the year of last nrpprovd, A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4, Summary of Test Methods
1.1 This test method is applicable to the screening of 4.1 Test Method A, Chloramint+TMethod-The presence
cyanides in waste liquids, sludges, semisolids, and solids. The of cyanides can be observed when cyanides react with
following test methods are included: chloramine-T reagent at pH 8 to form cyanogen chloride.
The addition of barbituric acid to cyanogen chloride gives
Sections
intensive red color. This test method will indicate cyanides
Test Mcthod A-ChIonimine T I2 through 14
amenable to chlorination,
Test Mcthod B-Prussian Blue 15 through 17
Tcsi Method C-Cyoiitcsmo Paper 18 through 20
4.2 Test Method BI Prussian Blue Method-The pH of a
Test Method D-Gas Detector Tube 21 through 25
sample is adjusted. to pH 12 with NaOH and subsequently,
1.2 This test method is designed and intended as a
solutions of ferrous sulfate and ferric chloride are added. By
preliminary test to complement the more sophisticated
the addition of concentrated sulfuric acid in the presence of
quantitative analytical techniques that may be used to
cyanides, a deep blue color (Prussian blue) is produced. This
determine cyanide concentration. This test method offers, to
test method will indicate the presence of free cyanide and
the user, the option and the ability to “screen” waste for
many of the complex cyanides.
potentially hazardous levels of cyanide when the more 4.3 Test Method C., Cyantesmo Paper Methail-A portion
sophisticated techniques are not available and the total waste
of the sample is acidified in a flask or test tube releasing the
composition is unknown. simple hydrogen cyanide gas from cyanides. The presence of
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
hydrogen cyanide gas is indicated by a color change in the
safity problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility cyanide screening paper that is held just above the solution.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safity and This test method wili indicate dissociable,cyanide that could
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory readily evolve hydrogen cyanide gas.
to use. Specific hmrd information is given
limitations prior 4.4 Test Method O, Gas Detector Tube Method-A por-
in Section 8 and 18.5. tion of the sample is acidified in a beaker to release cyanide
as hydrogen cyanide gas. The gas is funneled through a
detector tube creating a color stain in the tube in proportion
2. Referenced Documents
to the concentrationeof cyanide gas in the vapor. A definite
2.1 ASTM Standards:
color change in the detector tube indicates a positive
D 1 193 Specification of Reagent Wate9
presence of cyanide. This test method will indicate
D 2036 Test Methods for Cyanides in Wate?
dissociable cyanide that could readiiy evolve hydrogen cya-
E 200 Practice for Preparation, Standardization, and
nide gas.
Storage of Standard Solutions for Chemical Analysis4
2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
5. Significance and Use
21 CFR Part 1308’
5.1 This test method is intended for use by those in the
waste management industries to determine the presence of
3. Terminology
potentially hazardous cyanides.
3.1 Description of Term Spec$c to This Standard:
6. Interferences
3. i. 1 screening method-a preliminary, qualitative, or
semiquantitative test, developed from classical qualitative 6.1 Common interferences in the analysis for cyanide
and quantitative techniques, that is designed to efficiently Include oxidizing agents, sulfides, aldehydes, glucose, and
give the user specific information about a waste that will aid other sugars, high concentration of carbonate, fatty acids,
in determining waste identification, process compatibility, thiocyanate, and other sulfur containing compounds,
and safety in handling.
6.2 It is beyond the scope of these test methods to describe
procedures for overcoming ail of the possible interferences
that may be encountered. Test Methods D2036 can be
I This test mctliod is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-34 on
referenced for interferences and their possible elimination.
Wnste Disposal and is the direct responsibility of Subcornmitee B34.02 on
Physical and Chcrnical Characterization.
7. Reagents and Materiais
Currcnt edition approved March 30, 1990. Pu
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