ASTM D4979-12
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
Standard Test Method for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in describing the physical characteristics of waste.
5.2 This test method has two uses. One is to visually screen wastes being received at the laboratory to identifying discrepancies between the waste, manifest, and historical descriptions. The other use is to visually examine soil and water samples while they are being collected. This information, along with professional judgment during sample collection, can be used to increase the knowledge of the site contamination by increasing or reducing the number of samples collected based on visible indication of contamination or lack of visible indication of contamination. For example, if a soil or groundwater sample is collected “up gradient” of the area of known or suspected contamination to obtain site background concentrations, and the sample appears contaminated, the up gradient area can be relocated during that sampling event. Visual observation could also show that the sampling parameters need to be increased or decreased. This may reduce or eliminate the need for additional sampling trips to the field.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to identify wastes by describing certain physical properties. It has been developed as a rapid but effective means for visually screening wastes when received in the laboratory or during collection at the sampling site.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard and warning information is given in 9.1.6.
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Designation: D4979 − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4979; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 5. Significance and Use
1.1 This test method is used to identify wastes by describing 5.1 This test method is intended for use by those in the
certain physical properties. It has been developed as a rapid but waste management industries to aid in describing the physical
effective means for visually screening wastes when received in characteristics of waste.
the laboratory or during collection at the sampling site.
5.2 This test method has two uses. One is to visually screen
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
wastes being received at the laboratory to identifying discrep-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ancies between the waste, manifest, and historical descriptions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
The other use is to visually examine soil and water samples
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
while they are being collected. This information, along with
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard and
professional judgment during sample collection, can be used to
warning information is given in 9.1.6.
increase the knowledge of the site contamination by increasing
or reducing the number of samples collected based on visible
2. Referenced Documents
indication of contamination or lack of visible indication of
2
contamination. For example, if a soil or groundwater sample is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
collected “up gradient” of the area of known or suspected
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
contamination to obtain site background concentrations, and
the sample appears contaminated, the up gradient area can be
3. Terminology
relocated during that sampling event. Visual observation could
3.1 Definitions:
also show that the sampling parameters need to be increased or
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in the document refer to
decreased.Thismayreduceoreliminatetheneedforadditional
Terminology D5681.
sampling trips to the field.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6. Interferences
3.2.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi-
quantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user
6.1 Opaque sample containers require removal of a repre-
specific information about a waste that will aid in determining
sentative sample sufficient for complete observation. It is
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han-
recommended that a representative portion be transferred to a
dling.
clean, dry, clear container.
7. Apparatus
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1 Disposable Spatula or Eye Dropper.
4.1 Samples are inspected and the physical appearance is
recorded, including color, turbidity, viscosity, physical state,
7.2 Clear Glass Sample Containers.
layering, and any other observable attribute (for example,
8. Sampling
texture).
8.1 Samples should be obtained in clear glass containers.
8.2 Liquid samples may require time to stabilize (that is,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
until layers reform).
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on
Screening Methods.
8.3 It may be helpful to pick up the sample container and
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2012. Published December 2012. Originally
tilt, rotate, swirl, invert it or to manipulate the sample with a
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4979 – 08. DOI:
clean, disposable spatula or eye dropper.
10.1520/D4979-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
8.4 In the laboratory, if necessary, allow the sample to come
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
to room temperature in a sealed container. For example, frozen
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. material should be allowed to thaw completely.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4979 − 12
9. Procedures 9.1.5 Layering—Describe any layering in terms of rough
percentages of the total sample. Record the color, turbidity, and
9.1 Inspect the waste sample and describe the physical
physical state of each layer. Describe multilayered samples by
attributes noting the following areas.
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4979 − 08 D4979 − 12
Standard Test Method for
1
Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4979; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method is used to identify wastes by describing certain physical properties. It has been developed as a rapid but
effective means for visually screening wastes when received in the laboratory or during collection at the sampling site.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific hazard and warning information is given in 8.1.69.1.6.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in the document refer to Terminology D5681.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semiquantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user specific
information about a waste that will aid in determining waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in handling.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Samples are inspected and the physical appearance is recorded, including color, turbidity, viscosity, physical state, layering,
and any other observable attribute (for example, texture).
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in describing the physical
characteristics of waste.
5.2 This test method has two uses. One is to visually screen wastes being received at the laboratory to identifying discrepancies
between the waste, manifest, and historical descriptions. The other use is to visually examine soil and water samples while they
are being collected. This information, along with professional judgment during sample collection, can be used to increase the
knowledge of the site contamination by increasing or reducing the number of samples collected based on visible indication of
contamination or lack of visible indication of contamination. For example, if a soil or groundwater sample is collected “up
gradient” of the area of known or suspected contamination to obtain site background concentrations, and the sample appears
contaminated, the up gradient area can be relocated during that sampling event. Visual observation could also show that the
sampling parameters need to be increased or decreased. This may reduce or eliminate the need for additional sampling trips to the
field.
6. Interferences
6.1 Opaque sample containers require removal of a representative sample sufficient for complete observation. It is
recommended that a representative portion be transferred to a clean, dry, clear container.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on Screening
Methods.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2008Sept. 1, 2012. Published October 2008December 2012. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20032008
as D4979 – 95D4979 – 08.(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D4979-08.10.1520/D4979-12.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4979 − 12
7. Apparatus
7.1 Disposable Spatula or Eye Dropper.
7.2 Clear Glass Sample Containers.
8. Sampling
8.1 Samples should be obtained in clear glass containers.
8.2 Liquid samples may require time to stabilize (that is, until layers reform).
8.3 It may be helpful to pick up the sample container and tilt, rotate, swirl, invert it or to manipulate the sample with a clean,
disposable spatula or eye dropper.
8.4 In the laboratory, if necessary, allow the sample to come to room temperature in a sealed container. For
...
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