THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION
&EPA
PROGRAM M
ETV
Batteiie
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	puWng Tcchnology To Work
ETV Joint Verification Statement
TECHNOLOGY TYPE: PORTABLE CYANIDE ANALYZER
APPLICATION:	DETECTING CYANIDE IN WATER
TECHNOLOGY NAME: Mini-Analyst Model 942-032
COMPANY:	Orbeco-Hellige
ADDRESS:	185 Marine Street	PHONE: 1-800-922-5242
Farmingdale, NY 11735 FAX: 1-631-293-8258
WEB SITE:	http://www.orbeco.com
E-MAIL:	jesposito@orbeco.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV)
Program to facilitate the deployment of innovative or improved environmental technologies through performance
verification and dissemination of information. The goal of the ETV Program is to further environmental protection
by substantially accelerating the acceptance and use of improved and cost-effective technologies. ETV seeks to
achieve this goal by providing high-quality, peer-reviewed data on technology performance to those involved in the
design, distribution, financing, permitting, purchase, and use of environmental technologies.
ETV works in partnership with recognized standards and testing organizations, with stakeholder groups
(consisting of buyers, vendor organizations, and permitters), and with individual technology developers. The
program evaluates the performance of innovative technologies by developing test plans that are responsive to the
needs of stakeholders, conducting field or laboratory tests (as appropriate), collecting and analyzing data, and pre-
paring peer-reviewed reports. All evaluations are conducted in accordance with rigorous quality assurance (QA)
protocols to ensure that data of known and adequate quality are generated and that the results are defensible.
The Advanced Monitoring Systems (AMS) Center, one of seven technology areas under ETV, is operated by
Batteiie in cooperation with EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory. The AMS Center has recently
evaluated the performance of portable cyanide analyzers used to detect cyanide in water. This verification
statement provides a summary of the test results for the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032.
VERIFICATION TEST DESCRIPTION
The verification was based on comparing the cyanide concentrations of water samples determined by the Orbeco
Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 with cyanide concentrations determined by a laboratory-based reference method
(EPA Method 335.1, Cyanides Amenable to Chlorinatiori). Two Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032s were

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tested independently between January 13 and February 4, 2003; and the results were compared to assess inter-unit
reproducibility. Samples used in the verification test included quality control samples, performance test (PT)
samples, lethal/near-lethal concentration samples, drinking water samples, and surface water samples. The results
from the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 were compared with the reference method to quantitatively assess
accuracy and linearity. Multiple aliquots of each test sample were analyzed separately to assess the precision of
both the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 and the reference method. To determine the detection limit, a
solution with a concentration of 0.010 milligram per liter (mg/L) was used. Seven non-consecutive replicate
analyses of this solution were made to obtain precision data with which to determine the method detection limit
(MDL). The Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 was tested by a technical and a non-technical operator to assess
operator bias. Sample throughput was estimated based on the time required to analyze a sample. Ease of use was
based on documented observations by the operators and the Battelle Verification Test Coordinator. The Orbeco
Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 was used in a field environment as well as in a laboratory setting to assess the impact
of field conditions on performance.
QA oversight of verification testing was provided by Battelle. Battelle QA staff conducted a technical systems
audit, a performance evaluation audit, and a data quality audit of 10% of the test data.
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
The following description of the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 was provided by the vendor and does not
represent verified information.
The Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 is a portable colorimeter in which a sample and a reagent are mixed and
analyzed photometrically to provide a quantitative determination of cyanide in the sample. The Orbeco Mini-
Analyst Model 942-032 uses a photodiode detector, and results are reported on a liquid crystal display. Permanent
calibrations for cyanide analysis are stored in the microprocessor memory. The Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-
032 comes with a hard cover carrying case, reagents for 50 samples, pH adjustment and dechlorination reagents,
and four reaction vials. First, the samples are preserved to exactly 0.020 M sodium hydroxide. Then, 1 milliliter
(mL) each of the buffer and 1.75 M hydrochloric acid, provided by Orbeco, are added to 100 mL of preserved
sample. The pH is then adjusted to 6 and 7, as necessary. A 10.0-mL aliquot is taken from the pH-adjusted sample,
and a capsule of powdered reagent is added before the sample vial containing the 10.0-mL sample and powdered
reagent is shaken and set aside for two minutes. In the meantime, a liquid reagent solution is made up in a separate
vial. At the appropriate time, this reagent is added to the original sample vial, and the vial is shaken. After a
15-minute color development period, the sample is placed into the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032, and a
cyanide concentration is displayed in micrograms per liter. However, for consistency with the reference laboratory
results, all data within this report have been converted to milligrams per liter (mg/L). The dimensions of the
Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 are 6 x 4 x 2 inches, and it weighs 340 grams (12 ounces). The Orbeco Mini-
Analyst Model 942-032 operates on four AA batteries. The list prices are $299.00 for the colorimeter and $67.50
for reagents adequate for approximately 50 water samples.
VERIFICATION OF PERFORMANCE
Accuracy: The biases for the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 ranged from 3 to 21% for the PT samples
with concentrations ranging from 0.030 to 0.800 mg/L; 5 to 12% for the surface water samples; 3 to 100% for the
drinking water samples from around the country; and 25 to 94% for the Columbus, OH, drinking water samples.
Since the latter three types of water samples contained no detectable cyanide, they were fortified with 0.200 mg/L
of cyanide to test the performance of the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 in water matrices.
Precision: The relative standard deviations ranged from 2 to 16% for the PT samples; 1 to 8% for the surface
water samples; 1 to 25% for the drinking water samples from around the country; and 2 to 13% for the
Columbus, OH, drinking water samples (except for the non-technical operator's results for the well water analyzed
in the laboratory, which had RSDs over 100%).

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Linearity: The non-technical operator's results from the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 for the PT samples
(0.030 to 0.400 mg/L) plotted against the concentrations of the same samples as determined by the reference
method gives the following regression equation:
y (non-technical operator results in mg/L)=0.797 (± 0.028) x (reference result in mg/L)
+ 0.007 (± 0.006) mg/L with r2=0.991 and N=32.
The data for the technical operator gives the following regression equation:
y (technical operator results in mg/L)=0.820 (± 0.025) x (reference result in mg/L)
+ 0.010 (± 0.006) mg/L with r2=0.993 and N=32.
where the values in parentheses represent the 95% confidence interval of the slope and intercept. Only the
technical operator's intercept is significantly different from zero, and the r2 values are both above 0.99. The
linearity of the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 was not dependent on which operator was performing the
analyses. The slope of the linear regression was significantly less than unity in both instances. This deviation from
unity indicates a low bias in the results generated by the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 compared with the
results produced by the reference method.
Method Detection Limit: The MDL was determined to be 0.004 mg/L for the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-
032 when used by the non-technical operator and 0.005 mg/L when used by the technical operator.
Inter-Unit Reproducibility: A linear regression of the data for inter-unit reproducibility gives the following
regression equation:
y (Unit #1 result in mg/L)=0.976 (± 0.008) x (Unit #2 result in mg/L)
-	0.0009 (± 0.0012) mg/L with r2=0.998 and N=136.
where the values in parentheses represent the 95% confidence interval of the slope and intercept. The slope is just
slightly less than unity, and the intercept is not significantly different from zero. These data indicate that the two
Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032s functioned very similarly to one another.
Lethal/Near-Lethal Dose Response: Samples at 50.0-, 100-, and 250-mg/L concentrations (close to what may be
lethal if a volume the size of a typical glass of water was ingested) were prepared and analyzed by the Orbeco
Mini-Analyst Model 942-032. Upon adding the reagents to the water sample, the color of the sample changed
within five seconds to bright red and then progressed to a dark blue after about five minutes. The change was
much more rapid than for any of the PT samples. The PT samples took about 30 seconds to produce a small
change in the color of the sample and took the full 15-minute reaction time to reach its analysis color of a clear,
light blue. When the samples with lethal/near-lethal concentrations were inserted into the Orbeco Mini-Analyst
Model 942-032 after the full reaction time, the digital readout read "off scale." Even without using the Orbeco
Mini-Analyst Model 942-032, the reagents and vials would be useful for a first responder seeking to find out
whether a toxic level of cyanide is present in a drinking water sample. The presence of such concentrations could
be confirmed within minutes by visual observation of the color development process.
Operator Bias: A linear regression of the data for the operator bias assessment gives the following regression
equation:
y (non-tech result in mg/L)=0.933 (± 0.056) x (tech result in mg/L)
-	0.002 (± 0.008) mg/L with r2=0.890 and N=136.
where the values in parentheses represent the 95% confidence interval of the slope and intercept. The slope of this
regression is less than 10% different from unity, indicating a slight difference in the results produced by the

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operators. The relatively low coefficient of variation was mostly due to the Flagstaff, AZ, samples. The technical
operator generated detectable results, while the non-technical operator did not.
Field Portability: From an operational standpoint, the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 was easily
transported to the field setting, and the samples were analyzed in the same fashion as they were in the laboratory.
No functional aspects of the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 were compromised by performing the analyses
in the field setting. However, performing analyses under extremely cold conditions (sample water temperatures
between 4 and 6°C) negatively affected the performance of the Orbeco Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 cyanide
reagents.
Ease of Use: The manufacturer recommends adjusting the pH of water samples to be analyzed by the Orbeco
Mini-Analyst Model 942-032 to between 6.0 and 7.0. Since gaseous hydrogen cyanide can be released at a pH less
than 9.00, this adjustment is not desirable from a safety standpoint, especially if lethal/near-lethal concentrations
of cyanide are present. The sample preparation instructions were clear, but the liquid pyridine reagent had an
offensive odor, and the granular reagent tablets were difficult to open. Also, the operators thought that it was
inconvenient to keep track of the mixing and waiting times during the analysis.
Sample Throughput: Sample preparation, including measuring volumes and using reagents, took two to three
minutes per sample. After performing the sample preparation, a 15-minute period of color development was
required before sample analysis. Therefore, if only one sample is analyzed, it would take approximately
18 minutes. However, both operators were able to stagger the start of the color development period every two
minutes for subsequent samples, so a typical sample set of 12 analyses took 45 to 50 minutes. Since the color
development reaction takes place in reusable reaction vials, additional vials would have to be purchased to
conveniently analyze large sample sets.
original signed by Gabor J. Kovacs 4/17/03
Gabor J. Kovacs	Date
Vice President
Environmental Sector
Battelle
original signed by Timothy E. Qppelt	4/29/03
Timothy E. Oppelt	Date
Director
National Homeland Security Research Center
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
NOTICE: ETV verifications are based on an evaluation of technology performance under specific, predetermined
criteria and the appropriate quality assurance procedures. EPA and Battelle make no expressed or implied
warranties as to the performance of the technology and do not certify that a technology will always operate as
verified. The end user is solely responsible for complying with any and all applicable federal, state, and local
requirements. Mention of commercial product names does not imply endorsement.

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