New method for cyanide testing in water released by the Standing Committee of Analysts

The Standing Committee of Analysts (SCA) has officially released a new method for cyanide determination in waters and associated materials.

This latest addition to the Methods for the Examination of Waters and Associated Materials—published in February 2025—introduces a segmented flow analysis technique with in-line UV digestion followed by gas diffusion amperometry. The method is now part of the SCA's authoritative Library of Bona Fide Methods, ensuring its status as a rigorously developed and validated approach for water quality testing.

We will be discussing this new method in an upcoming webinar. To find out more, click here.

Key features of the method

• Utilizes UV digestion to break down complex cyanide compounds.
• Employs gas diffusion amperometry, enhancing detection accuracy.
• Designed for analyzing cyanide across various water matrices, including drinking water, wastewater, and natural water bodies.
• Offers a limit of quantification at approximately 6.5 µg/L, with an application range up to 60 µg/L.

The methodology builds upon previous techniques but provides a refined approach that aims to increase sensitivity and reduce intereferences—such as those caused by oxidizing agents or sulphides—by incorporating online treatments with bismuth nitrate. However, it is important to note that only limited performance data is currently available, as this is a newly introduced method.

This publication is significant because it marks a continued effort by the SCA to ensure that environmental and water quality testing remains up to date with scientific advancements. The inclusion of this method in the official library means that laboratories and water monitoring agencies can now adopt it with confidence, knowing that it meets the high standards set by the SCA.

Moreover, as explicitly stated in the document, only methods appearing in this library are considered bona fide methods—meaning they have undergone thorough development and approval by expert working groups. This distinction underscores the importance of using validated methodologies for regulatory and compliance purposes.

What’s next?

With the method now published, laboratories will begin integrating it into their analytical workflows. Further validation studies may expand its applicability, and revisions could follow as more performance data becomes available. Water quality professionals are encouraged to refer to the full method, available here, and to ensure they are following the most recent procedural updates.

This new cyanide determination method represents a step forward in precision and reliability for water testing, reinforcing the importance of standardized analytical approaches in safeguarding water quality.

To learn more about the method, watch our recent webinar on the topic.