Cyanide Measurement and Analysis (CN)

Cyanide, one of the most toxic chemicals, is composed of carbon and nitrogen. There are organic and inorganic varieties in nature. It is also produced with a number of chemical buffers and used in various fields. Most organic cyanides are non-toxic and are used in medicine. There are some plants, insects and bacteria that naturally produce cyanide. For example, almonds, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, potatoes, beans, cabbage and corn produce cyanide compounds in natural ways.

In industry, sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide salts are used in iron and steel industry, mining industry and a few other sectors, mainly due to storage and transportation safety. The gas form of cyanide is also frequently used in plastic production, acrylic fiber and synthetic rubber applications. Liquid hydrocyanic acid boils at 28 and smells like bitter almonds.

One area of ​​application of cyanide is gold and silver enrichment processes in mining. However, cyanide is mixed with the soil and drinking water of the gold exploration area and is always the subject of discussion. Although the enterprises claim otherwise, the wastes generated after gold production harm human health and the environment.

Industrial flue gases emitted to the atmosphere include cyanide. The Regulation on the Control of Industrial Air Pollution, issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, obliges enterprises to carry out cyanide measurements and analyzes. In addition, the criterion to be taken as basis for these measurements is shown in the regulation.

As in all flue gas measurements, accredited laboratories perform cyanide measurements in accordance with the following standards:

• TS CEN / TS 15675 Air quality - Measurement of constant source emissions - EN ISO / IEC 17025: Application of 2005 to periodic measurement
• TS EN 15259 Air quality - Measurement of constant source emissions - Requirements for measuring zones and locations, purpose, plan and reporting of measurement