Proceedings of the International Cyanide Detection Testing Workshop

Cyanide Detection Testing (CDT)
Used by the BFAR/IMA Laboratories in the Philippines
The use of cyanide to capture marine aquarium
fi sh and food fi sh alive is widespread in the
Asia-Pacifi c region and not only leads to high
mortality rates of the captured fi sh, but also
damages and kills corals and other organisms
on the reefs. The use of cyanide is illegal in all
countries where it is used, but enforcement is
diffi cult.
A cyanide detection test (CDT) developed by
the American Society of Testing and Materials
(ASTM) was adopted by the International
Marinelife Alliance (IMA) and applied to
test marine organisms (mostly aquarium
fi sh and food fi sh species) in the Philippines
under contract with the Philippine Bureau
of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
(APHA 1992, ASTM 1997). A network
of six BFAR/IMA CDT laboratories was
established throughout the Philippines
staffed by chemists. Sampling was conducted
by biologists deputized by BFAR at various
locations including the boats of fi shers, home
ports, distribution points such as airports,
and at export facilities in Manila. Over 48,000
fi sh and invertebrate specimens were tested
Benita Manipula
Former Chief Chemist
International Marinelife Alliance
dragon9262002@yahoo.com
148
for the presence of cyanide by IMA chemists
from 1993 to 2001. The method involves
the digestion of fi sh tissues in sulfuric acid
to liberate hydrogen cyanide gas, and capture
of cyanide ions in sodium hydroxide solution
after refl ux distillation. The chemicals added
to the apparatus facilitate the extraction
of cyanide from fi sh tissues and help to
eliminate interfering substances. Cyanide ion
concentrations were determined using an ion
selective electrode (ISE) linked to an ISE
meter manufactured by Thermo-Orion.
The ASTM ISE method for cyanide ion
detection is internationally recognized. It
has been in use since the early 1980s and is
periodically updated in separate publications
by the ASTM, the American Public
Health Association (APHA), and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA).
The ASTM ISE method has been used by
a variety of organizations. Cyanide testing
should be used to enforce laws against illegal
fi shing and to accredit marine ornamentals
(MO) as being cyanide-free to support a
sustainable MO trade.