Standard Test Method for Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica in Workplace Air by Infrared Spectrometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Respirable crystalline silica is a hazard to the health of workers in many industries who are at risk through exposure by inhalation. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers’ exposure, and this is generally achieved by taking workplace air measurements. This standard has been published in order to make available a method for making valid exposure measurements for crystalline silica exposures in industry. It will be of benefit to: agencies concerned with health and safety at work; industrial hygienists and other public health professionals; analytical laboratories; industrial users of silica-containing products and their workers, etc.  
5.2 This standard specifies a generic sampling and analytical method for measurement of the mass concentration of respirable crystalline silica in workplace air using infrared (IR) spectrometric methods. Several different types of sampling apparatus are used to collect respirable dust, according to the occupational hygiene sampling convention. This standard is designed to accommodate a variety of appropriate samplers and sampling materials that are commercially available.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard specifies a test method for collection and analysis of samples of airborne particulate matter for measurement of respirable crystalline silica by infrared (IR) spectrometry.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to the analysis of crystalline silica (the polymorphs quartz, cristobalite and tridymite) over a working range of 0.025 to 0.4 mg/m3 for a 400 L air sample or 0.02 to 0.25 mg/m3 for a 1000 L air sample, depending on the analytical method.  
1.3 The methodology is applicable to personal sampling of the respirable fraction of airborne particles and to static (area) sampling.  
1.4 This test method describes three different procedures for sample preparation and infrared analysis of airborne crystalline silica samples, which are delineated in Annex A1 – Annex A3, respectively: (1) a potassium bromide (KBr) disc IR measurement method, (2) indirect IR analysis after redeposition onto a filter used for measurement, and (3) direct on-filter IR analysis.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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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Publication Date
14-Oct-2014
Technical Committee
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ASTM D7948-14 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica in Workplace Air by Infrared Spectrometry
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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: D7948 − 14
StandardTest Method for
Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica in Workplace
1
Air by Infrared Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7948; 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 D4532 Test Method for Respirable Dust in Workplace At-
mospheres Using Cyclone Samplers
1.1 This standard specifies a test method for collection and
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
analysis of samples of airborne particulate matter for measure-
D6061 Practice for Evaluating the Performance of Respi-
ment of respirable crystalline silica by infrared (IR) spectrom-
rable Aerosol Samplers
etry.
E1370 Guide for Air Sampling Strategies for Worker and
1.2 This test method is applicable to the analysis of crystal-
Workplace Protection
line silica (the polymorphs quartz, cristobalite and tridymite) 3
2.2 ISO Standards:
3
over a working range of 0.025 to 0.4 mg/m for a 400 L air
ISO 7708 Air quality — Particle size fraction definitions for
3
sample or 0.02 to 0.25 mg/m for a 1000 L air sample,
health-related sampling
depending on the analytical method.
ISO 3534-1 Statistics — Vocabulary and symbols — Part 1:
1.3 The methodology is applicable to personal sampling of Probability and general statistical terms in metrology
the respirable fraction of airborne particles and to static (area)
ISO 6879 Air quality — Performance characteristics and
sampling. related concepts for air quality measuring methods
ISO 13137 Workplace air — Pumps for personal sampling
1.4 This test method describes three different procedures for
of chemical and biological agents — Requirements and
samplepreparationandinfraredanalysisofairbornecrystalline
test methods
silica samples, which are delineated in AnnexA1 – AnnexA3,
ISO 15202-1 Workplace air — Determination of metals and
respectively: (1) a potassium bromide (KBr) disc IR measure-
metalloids in airborne particulate matter by inductively
ment method, (2) indirect IR analysis after redeposition onto a
coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry — Part 1:
filterusedformeasurement,and(3)directon-filterIRanalysis.
Sampling
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ISO 15767 Workplace atmospheres – Controlling and char-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
acterizing errors in weighing collected aerosols
standard.
ISO 24095 Workplace air — Guidance for the measurement
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of respirable crystalline silica
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1 Definitions:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
to Terminology D1356.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2 Definitions of General Terms Specific to This Standard:
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.1 respirable crystalline silica (RCS), n—inhaled par-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
ticles of crystalline silica that penetrate into the unciliated
Atmospheres
airways. ISO 24095
3.2.2 chemical agent, n—any chemical element or
1 compound, on its own or admixed as it occurs in the natural
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air
state or as produced by any work activity, whether or not
Quality.
produced intentionally and whether or not commercially avail-
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2014. Published February 2015. DOI:
able.
10.1520/D7948-14.
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
3
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, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D7948 − 14
3.2.3 breathing zone, n—(general definition) space around 3.4.6 sampling train, n—apparatus for collecting airborne
the worker’s face from where he or she takes his or her breath. particles including sampling pump, connecting tubing, respi-
4
EN 1540 (1) rable size selector, and collection medium (for example, a
(technical definition) hemisphere (generally accep
...

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