ASTM D4979-19
(Practice)Standard Practice for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
Standard Practice for Physical Description Screening Analysis in Waste
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is intended for use by those in the waste management industries to aid in describing the physical characteristics of waste.
5.2 This practice has two uses. One is to visually screen wastes being received at the laboratory to identify 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 practice 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard and warning information is given in 8.1.6.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4979 − 19
Standard Practice 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 4. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice is used to identify wastes by describing 4.1 Samples are inspected and the physical appearance is
recorded, including color, turbidity, viscosity, physical state,
certain physical properties. It has been developed as a rapid but
layering, and any other observable attribute (for example,
effective means for visually screening wastes when received in
texture).
the laboratory or during collection at the sampling site.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Significance and Use
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5.1 This practice is intended for use by those in the waste
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
management industries to aid in describing the physical char-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
acteristics of waste.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 This practice has two uses. One is to visually screen
Specific hazard and warning information is given in 8.1.6.
wastes being received at the laboratory to identify discrepan-
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
cies between the waste, manifest, and historical descriptions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
The other use is to visually examine soil and water samples
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
while they are being collected. This information, along with
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
professional judgment during sample collection, can be used to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
increase the knowledge of the site contamination by increasing
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
or reducing the number of samples collected based on visible
indication of contamination or lack of visible indication of
2. Referenced Documents
contamination. For example, if a soil or groundwater sample is
2
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
also show that the sampling parameters need to be increased or
3.1 Definitions:
decreased.Thismayreduceoreliminatetheneedforadditional
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
sampling trips to the field.
Terminology D5681.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6. Apparatus
3.2.1 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi-
6.1 Disposable Spatula or Eye Dropper.
quantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the user
6.2 Clear Glass Sample Containers.
specific information about a waste that will aid in determining
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han-
7. Sampling
dling.
7.1 Samples should be obtained in clean, clear glass con-
tainers.
1 NOTE 1—If chemical analysis at the laboratory is required, follow the
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
sitesamplingplananduseadditionalsamplecontainersappropriateforthe
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on
required testing.
Screening Methods.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally
7.2 Liquid samples may require time to stabilize (that is,
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4979 – 12. DOI:
until layers reform).
10.1520/D4979-19.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.3 It may be helpful to pick up the sample container and
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
tilt, rotate, swirl, or invert it or to manipulate the sample with
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. a clean, disposable spatula or eye dropper.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4979 − 19
7.4 In the laboratory, if necessary,
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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 − 12 D4979 − 19
Standard Test Method Practice 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 9.1.6.
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 practice 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, 2012Feb. 1, 2019. Published December 2012February 2019. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20082012
as D4979 – 08.D4979 – 12. DOI: 10.1520/D4979-12.10.1520/D4979-19.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4979 − 19
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 example, frozen
material should be allowed to thaw completely.
9. Procedures
9.1 Inspect the waste sample and describe the physical attributes noting the following areas.
9.1.1 Color—Describe the visual color of the sample. If more than o
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