ASTM D7521-16

Standard Test Method for Determination of Asbestos in Soil

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This analysis method is used for the testing of soil samples for asbestos. The emphasis is on detection and analysis of sieved particles for asbestos in the soil. Debris identifiable as bulk building material that is readily separable from the soil is to be analyzed and reported separately.  
5.2 The coarse fraction of the sample (>2 to  
5.3 This test method does not describe procedures or techniques required to evaluate the safety or habitability of buildings or outdoor areas potentially contaminated with asbestos-containing materials or compliance with federal, state, or local regulations or statutes. It is the investigator's responsibility to make these determinations.  
5.4 Whereas this test method produces results that may be used for evaluation of sites contaminated by construction, mine, and manufacturing wastes; deposits of natural occurrences of asbestos; and other sources of interest to the investigator, the application of the results to such evaluations and the conclusions drawn there from, including any assessment of risk or liability, is beyond the scope of this test method and is the responsibility of the investigator.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to: (1) identify asbestos in soil, (2) provide an estimate of the concentration of asbestos in the sampled soil (dried), and (3) optionally to provide a concentration of asbestos reported as the number of asbestos structures per gram of sample.  
1.2 In this test method, results are produced that may be used for evaluation of sites contaminated by construction, mine and manufacturing wastes, deposits of natural occurrences of asbestos (NOA), and other sources of interest to the investigator.  
1.3 This test method describes the gravimetric, sieve, and other laboratory procedures for preparing the soil for analysis as well as the identification and quantification of any asbestos detected. Pieces of collected soil and material embedded therein that pass through a 19-mm sieve will become part of the sample that is analyzed and for which results are reported.  
1.3.1 Asbestos is identified and quantified by polarized light microscopy (PLM) techniques including analysis of morphology and optical properties. Optional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identification and quantification of asbestos is based on morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Some information about fiber size may also be determined. The PLM and TEM methods use different definitions and size criteria for fibers and structures. Separate data sets may be produced.  
1.4 This test method has an analytical sensitivity of 0.25 % by weight with optional procedures to allow for an analytical sensitivity of 0.1 % by weight.  
1.5 This test method does not purport to address sampling strategies or variables associated with soil environments. Such considerations are the responsibility of the investigator collecting and submitting the sample. Appendix X2 covering elements of soil sampling and good field practices is attached.  
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Other units may be cited in the method for informational purposes only.  
1.7 Hazards—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcinogens. Breathing asbestos fibers can result in disease of the lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Precautions should be taken to avoid creating and breathing airborne asbestos particles when sampling and analyzing materials suspected of containing asbestos.  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2016
• ICS: 13.080.05 - Examination of soils in general
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.07 - Sampling, Analysis, Management of Asbestos, and Other Microscopic Particles

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7521 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Asbestos in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7521; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
as the standard. Other units may be cited in the method for
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to: (1) identify
informational purposes only.
asbestosinsoil,(2)provideanestimateoftheconcentrationof
1.7 Hazards—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcino-
asbestos in the sampled soil (dried), and (3) optionally to
gens. Breathing asbestos fibers can result in disease of the
provide a concentration of asbestos reported as the number of
lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
asbestos structures per gram of sample.
Precautions should be taken to avoid creating and breathing
1.2 In this test method, results are produced that may be
airborne asbestos particles when sampling and analyzing
usedforevaluationofsitescontaminatedbyconstruction,mine
materials suspected of containing asbestos.
and manufacturing wastes, deposits of natural occurrences of
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
asbestos (NOA), and other sources of interest to the investiga-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tor.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This test method describes the gravimetric, sieve, and priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
other laboratory procedures for preparing the soil for analysis
as well as the identification and quantification of any asbestos
2. Referenced Documents
detected. Pieces of collected soil and material embedded
2
thereinthatpassthrougha19-mmsievewillbecomepartofthe
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sample that is analyzed and for which results are reported.
C136Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates
1.3.1 Asbestosisidentifiedandquantifiedbypolarizedlight
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
microscopy (PLM) techniques including analysis of morphol-
D3670Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of
ogy and optical properties. Optional transmission electron
Methods of Committee D22
microscopy(TEM)identificationandquantificationofasbestos
D6281Test Method forAirborneAsbestos Concentration in
is based on morphology, selected area electron diffraction
Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by
(SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Some
TransmissionElectronMicroscopyDirectTransfer(TEM)
informationaboutfibersizemayalsobedetermined.ThePLM
D6620Practice for Asbestos Detection Limit Based on
andTEMmethodsuse different definitions and size criteriafor
Counts
fibers and structures. Separate data sets may be produced.
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
1.4 This test method has an analytical sensitivity of 0.25 %
Sieves
by weight with optional procedures to allow for an analytical
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
sensitivity of 0.1 % by weight.
ASTM Test Methods
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.5 This test method does not purport to address sampling
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
strategies or variables associated with soil environments. Such
3
2.2 EPA Standards:
considerationsaretheresponsibilityoftheinvestigatorcollect-
EPA 600/R-93/116Method for the Determination of Asbes-
ing and submitting the sample. Appendix X2 covering ele-
tos in Bulk Building Materials
ments of soil sampling and good field practices is attached.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Analysis of Asbestos. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved May 1, 2016. Published May 2016. Originally Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7521 – 13. DOI: Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004, http://
10.1520/D7521-16. www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7521 − 16
4
2.3 ISO Standards: 3.1.6 fiber (transmission electron microscopy,
...

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: D7521 − 13 D7521 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Determination of Asbestos in Soil
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7521; 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 covers a procedure to: (1) identify asbestos in soil, (2) provide an estimate of the concentration of asbestos
in the sampled soil (dried), and (3) optionally to provide a concentration of asbestos reported as the number of asbestos structures
per gram of sample.
1.2 In this test method, results are produced that may be used for evaluation of sites contaminated by construction, mine and
manufacturing wastes, deposits of natural occurrences of asbestos (NOA), and other sources of interest to the investigator.
1.3 This test method describes the gravimetric, sieve, and other laboratory procedures for preparing the soil for analysis as well
as the identification and quantification of any asbestos detected. Pieces of collected soil and material embedded therein that pass
through a 19-mm sieve will become part of the sample that is analyzed and for which results are reported.
1.3.1 Asbestos is identified and quantified by polarized light microscopy (PLM) techniques including analysis of morphology
and optical properties. Optional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identification and quantification of asbestos is based on
morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Some information about
fiber size may also be determined. The PLM and TEM methods use different definitions and size criteria for fibers and structures.
Separate data sets may be produced.
1.4 This test method has an analytical sensitivity of 0.25 % by weight with optional procedures to allow for an analytical
sensitivity of 0.1 % by weight.
1.5 This test method does not purport to address sampling strategies or variables associated with soil environments. Such
considerations are the responsibility of the investigator collecting and submitting the sample. Appendix X2 covering elements of
soil sampling and good field practices is attached.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. Other units may be cited in the method for
informational purposes only.
1.7 Hazards—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcinogens. Breathing asbestos fibers can result in disease of the lungs
including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Precautions should be taken to avoid creating and breathing airborne asbestos
particles when sampling and analyzing materials suspected of containing asbestos.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C136 Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3670 Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of Methods of Committee D22
D6281 Test Method for Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission
Electron Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
D6620 Practice for Asbestos Detection Limit Based on Counts
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and Analysis
of Asbestos.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2013May 1, 2016. Published January 2013May 2016. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7521
– 13. DOI: 10.1520/D7521-1310.1520/D7521-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. 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 ----------------------
D7521 − 16
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting a
...