Determination of Hydrogen Cyanide in Air by Ion Chromatography

Abstract

This paper describes a new procedure for the determination of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentrations in air. Airborne HCN is entrained in an impinger containing aqueous alkali and subsequently converted to sodium formate; the latter is quantitatively measured by ion chromatography. The collection procedure, reaction conditions, and chromatographic method are described. Interferences and the use of ion exchange resins for sample clean-up were investigated also. The precision and accuracy of spiked and air samples are presented.