ASTM D4913-00(2005)e1
(Practice)Standard Practice for Determining Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide by Direct Reading, Length of Stain, Visual Chemical Detectors
Standard Practice for Determining Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide by Direct Reading, Length of Stain, Visual Chemical Detectors
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
General—Hydrogen sulfide is nearly ubiquitous. It occurs naturally in volcanic gases, in sulfur springs and fumaroles, in decaying of plant and animal protein, and in intestines as a result of bacterial action. Hydrogen sulfide is a serious hazard to the health of workers employed in energy production from hydrocarbon or geothermal sources, in the production of fibers and sheets from viscose syrup, in the production of deuterium oxide (heavy water), in tanneries, sewers, sewage treatment and animal waste disposal, in work below ground, on fishing boats, and in chemical operations, including the gas and oil industry.
In 29 CFR 1910.1000, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration designates that worker exposure to certain gases and vapors must not be exceeded in workplace atmospheres at concentrations above specific values, averaged over a certain time span. Hydrogen sulfide is included in this list. Refer also to NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide.
This practice will provide means for the determination of airborne concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.
This practice provides means for either personal or area sampling and for short-term or time-weighted average (TWA) measurements. Refer to Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the Work Environment.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide gas by visual chemical detectors. Included under visual chemical detectors are: short-term detector tubes (1), long-term detector tubes (2), and length-of-stain dosimeters (3). Diffusion tubes are not included under this practice because they are not direct reading, and spot tests are not included because of their poor accuracy. The results are immediately available by visual observation, thus no analytical equipment is needed.
1.2 This practice reflects the current state-of-the-art for commercially available visual length-of-stain detectors for hydrogen sulfide. Any mention of a specific manufacturer in the text or references does not constitute an endorsement by ASTM.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 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.
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Designation: D4913 – 00 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Practice for
Determining Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide by Direct
Reading, Length of Stain, Visual Chemical Detectors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4913; 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.
´ NOTE—This practice was corrected editorially in October 2005.
1. Scope D4490 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
Gases or Vapors Using Detector Tubes
1.1 This practice covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide
D4599 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
gas by visual chemical detectors. Included under visual chemi-
2 Gases or Vapors Using Length-of-Stain Dosimeters
cal detectors are: short-term detector tubes (1), long-term
2.2 Other Documents:
detectortubes (2),andlength-of-staindosimeters (3).Diffusion
CFR 1910.1000 Federal Occupational Safety and Health
tubes are not included under this practice because they are not
Standard Title 29, Part 1910.1000, Subpart Z, and Part
direct reading, and spot tests are not included because of their
1926.55, Subpart D
pooraccuracy.Thesampleresultsareimmediatelyavailableby
NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Occupa-
visual observation, thus no analytical equipment is needed.
tional Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide, 1977
1.2 This practice reflects the current state-of-the-art for
Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the
commercially available visual length-of-stain detectors for
Work Environment Adopted by the American Conference
hydrogen sulfide. Any mention of a specific manufacturer in
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, latest issue
the text or references does not constitute an endorsement by
2.3 ANSI Standard:
ASTM.
ANSI/ISEA 102–1990(R1998) Gas Detector Tube Units-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Short-Term Type for Toxic Gases and Vapors in Working
standard.
Environments
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
method, refer to Terminology D1356.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Practice
2. Referenced Documents
3 4.1 In general, the length-of-stain visual detectors described
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in this practice consist of a sealed glass tube filled with a
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
reactive chemical dispersed on a granular material or a paper
Atmospheres
strip.Thisreactivematerialissensitivetohydrogensulfideand
D3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-
changes color upon exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. These
ganic Compound Vapors (Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-
detectors are designed so that the length of the color change in
sorption Method)
the tube is related to the concentration of hydrogen sulfide
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 onAir Quality
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD22.04onWorkplaceAtmospheres.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2005. Published January 2006. Originally Code of Federal Regulations, available from the U.S. Government Printing
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4913 - 00. DOI: Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE,
10.1520/D4913-00R05E01. Washington, DC 20401.
2 5
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), U.S. Depart-
this standard practice. ment of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161.
3 6
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Inc. (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Suite 600, Cincinnati, OH 45240.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D4913 – 00 (2005)
under conditions of sampling volume or sampling time speci- concentration is helpful. Detector tubes made by one manufac-
fied by the manufacturer. These detectors are typically cali- turer must not be used with pumps made by a different
brated by the manufacturer on an individual lot basis. Three manufacturer (10).
general types of detectors are in current use.
6.2.2 The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) has a voluntary
4.1.1 Short-Term Detector Tubes—A given volume of air
certification program for short-term detector tubes for hydro-
(specified by the manufacturer) is pulled through the tube by a
gen sulfide. This program consists of independent laboratory
pump in a time period on the order of 1 to 10 min. The
verification of sampling pump precision and of detector tube
length-of-stain is related to the amount of air sampled and the
performance. The pump and tube units certified under this
hydrogen sulfide concentration during the sample period.
program are listed in the SEI Approved Equipment List. The
4.1.2 Long-Term Detector Tubes—The air sample is pulled
certification test protocol is similar to that used in the now
through the tube at a slower, constant flow rate (specified by
discontinued NIOSH Certification Program (11,12,13).
the manufacturer) by an electrical pump over a 1- to 8-h time
6.2.3 In some sampling situations, particularly when testing
period. The length of color change and the sampling time are
for hazardous hydrogen sulfide concentrations in confined
used to estimate the time weighted average (TWA) concentra-
spaces, a remote sampling line and adapter can be used. This
tion of hydrogen sulfide.
allows placement of the detector tube in the potentially
4.1.3 Length-of-Stain Dosimeter Tubes—This detector type
hazardous area to be tested while the operator is in a safer area.
samples the atmosphere to be tested by diffusion; no pump is
6.3 Procedure:
required. Sampling times are on the order of 1 to 8 h and the
6.3.1 Carefully follow the instruction sheet of the manufac-
stain length as a function of sampling time is related to the
turer for the proper use of hydrogen sulfide short-term detector
TWA concentration of hydrogen sulfide.
tubes (see Practice D4490).
4.2 Information on the correct use of detector tubes and
6.3.1.1 Check the pump for leaks, total volume, and flow
length-of-stain dosimeters is presented.
rate in accordance with the instruction manual for the pump.
Also check the sampling line for leaks (if used).
5. Significance and Use
6.3.1.2 Remove one detector tube from the box and break
5.1 General—Hydrogen sulfide is nearly ubiquitous. It
off both tips.
occurs naturally in volcanic gases, in sulfur springs and
6.3.1.3 Insert the detector tube into the tube holder of the
fumaroles, in decaying of plant and animal protein, and in
pump or onto the sample line, making sure that it is properly
intestines as a result of bacterial action. Hydrogen sulfide is a
oriented.
serious hazard to the health of workers employed in energy
6.3.1.4 Face the mounted detector tube into the atmosphere
production from hydrocarbon or geothermal sources, in the
tobetested.Sampleanappropriatevolumeofairbypullingthe
production of fibers and sheets from viscose syrup, in the
pump handle out the required number of strokes, if using a
production of deuterium oxide (heavy water), in tanneries,
piston pump, or squeezing the pump the proper number of
sewers, sewage treatment and animal waste disposal, in work
below ground, on fishing boats, and in chemical operations, times, if using a bellows-type or bulb-type pump.
including the gas and oil industry.
6.3.1.5 If hydrogen sulfide is present, the indicator chemical
5.2 In 29 CFR 1910.1000, the Federal Occupational Safety
in the tube will change color from white to brown or gray. The
and Health Administration designates that worker exposure to
length of stain, correlated with the volume of air sampled, will
certain gases and vapors must not be exceeded in workplace
indicatetheconcentration.Mostdetectortubesnowhavedirect
atmospheres at concentrations above specific values, averaged
reading concentration scales printed on the tube.
over a certain time span. Hydrogen sulfide is included in this
6.3.1.6 For the most reliable estimate of the hydrogen
list. Refer also to NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Stan-
sulfide concentration, the maximum number of pump strokes
dard, Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide.
(as specified by the manufacturer) should be taken so that the
5.3 This practice will provide means for the determination
stained length is between 20 and 80 % of the total indicating
of airborne concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.
chemical length. At very low or very high concentrations, this
5.4 This practice provides means for either personal or area
is not always possible.
sampling and for short-term or time-weighted average (TWA)
6.4 Interferences—Whenusingleadsaltsastheimpregnant,
measurements. Refer to Threshold Limit Values for Chemical
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mercaptans can interfere
Substances in the Work Environment.
with accurate measurements, particularly at low hydrogen
sulfide concentrations. Sulfur dioxide, if present at comparable
6. Detector Tubes, Short-Term (1,4-9)
concentrations to hydrogen sulfide, will give a positive inter-
6.1 General—Short-term detector tubes are used for grab-
ference, that is, will increase the length of stain; however,
sampling. They allow determination of hydrogen sulfide con- sulfur dioxide by itself will cause no stain. Mercaptans at or
centrations in approximately five min.
near their TLV levels will not interfere, but at high concentra-
6.2 Apparatus: tion
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