EPA 7.3.3.2

EPA SW‑846 Section 7.3.3.2 – Reactive Cyanide, Solid Wastes

Applicability: This section describes the procedure used to determine whether a solid waste contains reactive cyanide—that is, cyanide that can generate hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when exposed to water under mild conditions. The method defines specific sample handling, acidification, and measurement steps to assess whether a solid waste leaches out free or loosely bound cyanide capable of evolving HCN, which is critical for determining if the waste exhibits the Reactivity characteristic under 40 CFR 261.23.

Purpose: The purpose of this section is to determine whether a solid waste contains cyanide that can generate toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas under mildly acidic conditions, thereby exhibiting the RCRA reactivity characteristic.