ASTM D6877-13
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Monitoring Diesel Particulate Exhaust in the Workplace
Standard Test Method for Monitoring Diesel Particulate Exhaust in the Workplace
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The test method supports previously proposed occupational exposure standards (7, 8) for DPM. A DPM exposure limit has since been promulgated for metal.nonmetal mines, but there currently are no limits for general occupational settings (a proposed limit (7) was withdrawn from the ACGIH Notice of Intended Changes (NIC) list in 2003). In the United States alone, over a million workers are occupationally exposed (9). An exposure standard for mines is especially important because miners' exposures are often quite high. NIOSH (9), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (10) (IARC), the World Health Organization (11) (WHO), the California Environmental Protection Agency (12), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (13) (EPA), and the National Toxicology Program (14) reviewed the animal and human evidence on DPM and all classified diesel exhaust as a probable human carcinogen or similar designation. In 2012, the WHO reclassified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) (15). In addition, in a study of miners, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and NIOSH reported increased risk of death from lung cancer in exposed workers (16 and 17).
5.2 The test method provides a measure of occupational exposure to DPM. Given the economic and public health impact of epidemiological studies, accurate risk assessment is critical. The NIOSH/NCI study of miners exposed to diesel exhaust provides quantitative estimates of lung cancer risk (16 and 17). The test method was used for exposure monitoring. Since publication (in 1996) as NMAM 5040, the method has been routinely used for occupational monitoring (5).
5.3 Studies indicate a positive association between airborne levels of fine particles and respiratory illness and mortality (18-26). The test method and others have been used for EPA air monitoring networks and air pollution studies. Because different methods produce different results, method standardization is essential for regulatory compliance determinati...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) in the particulate fraction of diesel engine exhaust, hereafter referred to as diesel particulate matter (DPM ). Samples of workplace atmospheres are collected on quartz-fiber filters. The method also is suitable for other types of carbonaceous aerosols and has been widely applied to environmental monitoring. It is not appropriate for sampling volatile or semi-volatile components. These components require sorbents for efficient collection.Note 1—Sample collection and handling procedures for environmental samples differ from occupational samples. This standard addresses occupational monitoring of DPM in workplaces where diesel-powered equipment is used.
1.2 The method is based on a thermal-optical technique (1, 2)2. Speciation of OC and EC is achieved through temperature and atmosphere control, and an optical feature that corrects for sample charring (carbonization).
1.3 A portion of a 37-mm, quartz-fiber filter sample is analyzed. Results for the portion are used to calculate the total mass of OC and EC on the filter. The portion must be representative of the entire filter deposit. If the deposit is uneven, two or more representative portions should be analyzed for an average. Alternatively, the entire filter can be analyzed, in multiple portions, to determine the total mass. Open-faced cassettes give even deposits but may not be practical. At 2 L/min, closed-face cassettes generally give results equivalent to open-face cassettes if other dusts are absent. Higher flow rates may be employed, but closed-faced cassettes operated at higher flow rates (for example, 5 L/min) sometimes have uneven deposits due to particle impaction at the center of the filter. Other samplers may be required, depending on the sampling environment (2-5).
1.4 The calculated limit of detection ( LOD) depends on the level of contamination of the media bla...
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Designation: D6877 − 13
StandardTest Method for
1
Monitoring Diesel Particulate Exhaust in the Workplace
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6877; 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.
2
1. Scope approximately 0.2 µg carbon per cm of filter was estimated
when analyzing a sucrose standard solution applied to filter
1.1 This test method covers determination of organic and
portions cleaned immediately before analysis. LODs based on
elemental carbon (OC and EC) in the particulate fraction of
media blanks stored after cleaning are usually higher. LODs
dieselengineexhaust,hereafterreferredtoasdieselparticulate
based on a set of media blanks analyzed over a six month
matter (DPM ). Samples of workplace atmospheres are col-
2
period at a commercial laboratory were OC = 1.2 µg/cm , EC
lected on quartz-fiber filters. The method also is suitable for
2 2
= 0.4 µg/cm , and TC = 1.3 µg/cm , where TC refers to total
other types of carbonaceous aerosols and has been widely
carbon (TC = OC + EC). In practice, the LOD estimate
applied to environmental monitoring. It is not appropriate for
provided by a laboratory is based on results for a set of media
sampling volatile or semi-volatile components. These compo-
blanks submitted with the samples.To reduce blank variability
nents require sorbents for efficient collection.
(due to lack of loading), a manual OC-EC split is assigned at
NOTE1—Samplecollectionandhandlingproceduresforenvironmental
the time when oxygen is introduced. With manual splits, the
samples differ from occupational samples. This standard addresses occu-
2
pational monitoring of DPM in workplaces where diesel-powered equip-
SD for media blanks is typically about 0.02-0.03 µg EC/cm ,
2
ment is used.
givingLODs(3×SDblank)fromabout0.06-0.09µgEC/cm .
1.2 The method is based on a thermal-optical technique (1, The corresponding air concentration depends on the deposit
2
2) . Speciation of OC and EC is achieved through temperature area (filter size) and air volume.
andatmospherecontrol,andanopticalfeaturethatcorrectsfor
1.5 OC-EC methods are operational, which means the
sample charring (carbonization).
analyticalproceduredefinestheanalyte.Thetestmethodoffers
1.3 A portion of a 37-mm, quartz-fiber filter sample is greater selectivity and precision than thermal techniques that
analyzed. Results for the portion are used to calculate the total donotcorrectforcharringoforganiccomponents.Theanalysis
mass of OC and EC on the filter. The portion must be method is simple and relatively quick (about 15 min). The
representative of the entire filter deposit. If the deposit is analysis and data reduction are automated, and the instrument
uneven, two or more representative portions should be ana- is programmable (different methods can be saved as methods
lyzed for an average. Alternatively, the entire filter can be for other applications).
analyzed, in multiple portions, to determine the total mass.
1.6 A method (5040) for DPM based on thermal-optical
Open-faced cassettes give even deposits but may not be
analysis has been published by the National Institute for
practical. At 2 L/min, closed-face cassettes generally give
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Method updates (3,
results equivalent to open-face cassettes if other dusts are
4)havebeenpublishedsinceitsinitial(1996)publicationinthe
absent. Higher flow rates may be employed, but closed-faced
NIOSHManualofAnalyticalMethods(NMAM).Both OCand
cassettes operated at higher flow rates (for example, 5 L/min)
EC are determined by NMAM 5040. An EC exposure marker
sometimes have uneven deposits due to particle impaction at
(for DPM) was recommended because EC is a more selective
the center of the filter. Other samplers may be required,
measure of exposure. A comprehensive review of the method
depending on the sampling environment (2-5).
and rationale for selection of an EC marker are provided in a
1.4 The calculated limit of detection (LOD) depends on the Chapter of NMAM (5).
level of contamination of the media blanks (5). A LOD of
1.7 The thermal-optical instrument required for the analysis
3
is manufactured by a private laboratory. As with most
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
3
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air The carbon analyzer used in the development and performance evaluation of
th
Quality. this test method was manufactured by Sunset Laboratory, 2017 19 Avenue, Forest
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally Grove, Oregon 97116, which i
...
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: D6877 − 03 (Reapproved 2008) D6877 − 13
Standard Test Method for
1
Monitoring Diesel Particulate Exhaust in the Workplace
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6877; 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 determination of organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) in the particulate fraction of diesel
engine exhaust, hereafter referred to as diesel particulate matter (DPM ). Samples of workplace atmospheres are collected on
quartz-fiber filters. The method also is suitable for other types of carbonaceous aerosols, but it aerosols and has been widely applied
to environmental monitoring. It is not appropriate for sampling volatile or semi-volatile components. These components require
sorbents for efficient collection.
NOTE 1—Sample collection and handling procedures for environmental samples differ from occupational samples. This standard addresses occupational
monitoring of DPM in workplaces where diesel-powered equipment is used.
2
1.2 The method is based on a thermal-optical technique (1, 2) . Speciation of organicOC and elementalEC carbon is achieved
through temperature and atmosphere control, and an optical feature that corrects for sample charring.charring (carbonization).
1.3 A portion of a 37-mm, quartz-fiber filter sample is analyzed. Results for the portion are used to calculate the total mass of
organicOC and elementalEC carbon on the filter. The portion must be representative of the entire filter deposit. If the deposit is
uneven, two or more representative portions should be analyzed for an average. Alternatively, the entire filter can be analyzed, in
multiple portions, to determine the total mass. Open-faced cassettes give even deposits but are often may not practical. Closed-face
cassettes give equivalent results be practical. At 2 L/min, closed-face cassettes generally give results equivalent to open-face
cassettes if other dusts are absent. Higher flow rates may be employed, but closed-faced cassettes operated at higher flow rates (for
example, 5 L/min) sometimes have uneven deposits due to particle impaction at the center of the filter. Other samplers may be
required, depending on the sampling environment (2-5).
1.4 The calculated limit of detection (LOD) depends on the level of contamination of the media blanks (5). A LOD of
2
approximately 0.2 μg carbon per cm of filter was estimated when analyzing a sucrose standard solution applied to filter portions
cleaned immediately before analysis. LODs based on media blanks stored after cleaning are usually higher. LODs based on a set
2 2
of media blanks from a analyzed over a six month period at a commercial laboratory were OC = 1.2 μg/cm , EC = 0.4 μg/cm ,
2
and TC = 1.3 μg/cm , where OC,TCEC, and refers to total carbon (TC refer= OC + ECto organic, elemental, ). In practice, the LOD
estimate provided by a laboratory is based on results for a set of media blanks submitted with the samples. To reduce blank
variability (due to lack of loading), a manual OC-EC split is assigned at the time when oxygen is introduced. With manual splits,
2 2
the SD for media blanks is typically about 0.02-0.03 μg EC/cm , giving LODs (3 × SD blank) from about 0.06-0.09 μg EC/cm and
total carbon, respectively. . The corresponding air concentration depends on the deposit area (filter size) and air volume.
1.5 OC-EC methods are operational, which means the analytical procedure defines the analyte. The test method offers greater
selectivity and precision than thermal techniques that do not correct for charring of organic components. The analysis method is
simple and relatively quick (about 15 min). The analysis and data reduction are automated, and the instrument is programmable
(different methods can be saved as methods for other applications).
1.6 A method (5040) for DPM based on thermal-optical analysis has been published by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH). Method updates (3,4) have been published since its initial (1996) publication in the NIOSH Manual
of Analytical Methods (NMAM). Both OC and EC are determined by NMAM 5040. An EC exposure marker (for DPM) was
recommended because EC is a more selective measure of exposure. A comprehensive review of the method and rationale for
selection of an EC
...
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