ASTM D6209-13

Standard Test Method for Determination of Gaseous and Particulate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air (Collection on Sorbent-Backed Filters with Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric Analysis)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) as defined by this test method are compounds made up of two or more fused aromatic rings.  
5.2 Several PAH are considered to be probable human carcinogens.  
5.3 PAH are emitted in the atmosphere primarily through wood or fossil fuel combustion.  
5.4 Two- and three-ring PAH are typically present in urban air at concentrations ranging from 10 to several hundred nanograms per cubic metre (ng/m3); those with four or more rings are usually found at concentrations of a few ng/m3 or lower.  
5.5 PAH span a broad spectrum of vapor pressures (for example, from 1.1 × 10–2 kPa for naphthalene to 2 × 10–13 kPa for coronene at 25°C). Table 1 lists some PAH that are frequently found in ambient air. Those with vapor pressures above about 10–8 kPa will be present in the ambient air substantially distributed between the gas and particulate phases. This test method will permit the collection of both phases. However, particulate-phase PAH will tend to be lost from the particulate filter during sampling due to desorption and volatilization.TABLE 1 Formulae and Physical Properties of Selective PAH    
Compound
(Common Name)  
Formula  
Molecular
Weight  
Melting
Point,
°C  
Boiling
Point,A
°C  
Vapor
Pressure,
kPa at
25°C    
Naphthalene  
C10H8  
128.18  
80.2  
218  
1.1 × 10 –2  
Acenaphthylene  
C12H8  
152.20  
92-93  
265-280  
3.9 × 10–3  
Acenaphthene  
C12H10  
154.20  
90-96  
278-279  
2.1 × 10–2  
Fluorene  
C13H10  
166.23  
116-118  
293-295  
8.7 × 10–5  
9-Fluorenone  
C13H8O  
180.21  
84  
341.5  
ca.10 –5  
Anthracene  
C14H10  
178.24  
216-219  
340  
3.6 × 10 –6  
Phenanthrene  
C14H10  
178.24  
96-101  
339-340  
2.3 × 10–5  
Fluoranthene  
C16H10  
202.26  
107-111  
375-393  
6.5 × 10–7  
Pyrene  
C16H10  
202.26  
150-156  
360-404  
3.1 × 10–6  
Cyclopental[cd]pyrene  
C18H10  
226.28  
ca. 275?  
—  
c...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method2 specifies sampling, cleanup, and analysis procedures for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air.  
1.2 This test method is designed to collect both gas-phase and particulate-phase PAH and to determine them collectively.  
1.3 This test method is a high-volume sampling (100 to 250 L/min) method capable of detecting PAH at sub-nanograms per cubic metre (ng/m3) concentrations with sampling volumes up to 350 m3 of air.  
1.4 This test method has been validated for sampling periods up to 24 h.  
1.5 Precision and bias under normal conditions can be expected to be ±35 to 50 %.  
1.6 This test method describes a sampling and analysis procedure for PAH that involves collection from air on a combination fine-particle filter and sorbent trap and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).  
1.7 The range of this test method is approximately 0.05 to 1000 ng/m3 of air sampled.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard.  
1.9 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. See also Section 8 for additional safety precautions.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2013
• ICS: 13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.03 - Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions

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: D6209 − 13
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gaseous and Particulate Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air (Collection on
Sorbent-Backed Filters with Gas Chromatographic/Mass
1
Spectrometric Analysis)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6209; 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 bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See also Section 8
2 for additional safety precautions.
1.1 This test method specifies sampling, cleanup, and
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
analysis procedures for the determination of polycyclic aro-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
matic hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This test method is designed to collect both gas-phase
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and particulate-phase PAH and to determine them collectively.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 Thistestmethodisahigh-volumesampling(100to250
L/min)methodcapableofdetectingPAHatsub-nanogramsper
3
2. Referenced Documents
cubic metre (ng/m ) concentrations with sampling volumes up
3
3
to 350 m of air.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
1.4 This test method has been validated for sampling
Atmospheres
periods up to 24 h.
D1357Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
1.5 Precision and bias under normal conditions can be
Atmosphere
expected to be 635 to 50%.
D3631Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric
1.6 This test method describes a sampling and analysis
Pressure
procedure for PAH that involves collection from air on a
E1Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
combinationfine-particlefilterandsorbenttrapandsubsequent
E2251Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
1.7 The range of this test method is approximately 0.05 to
3. Terminology
3
1000 ng/m of air sampled.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
1.8 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as
method, refer to Terminology D1356.
standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 sampling effıciency (SE), n—ability of the sampler to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
trap and retain PAH. The percent SE is the percentage of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
analyte of interest collected and retained by the sampling
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
medium when it is introduced into the air sampler and the
sampler is operated under normal conditions for a period of
time equal to or greater than that required for the intended use.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
3.2.2 dynamic retention effıciency, n—ability of the sam-
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.03 on Ambient
Atmospheres and Source Emissions.
pling medium to retain a given PAH that has been added to the
Current edition approved April 1, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally
sorbenttrapinaspikingsolutionwhenairisdrawnthroughthe
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D6209–98 (2012).
DOI: 10.1520/D6209-13.
2
This test method is based on U. S. Environmental ProtectionAgency Compen-
3
dum Method TO-13, Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Organic Compounds in Ambient Air, Report No. EPA/600-4-89/018, June 1988, contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Springfield, VA 22161, Order No. PB90-11989/AS. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6209 − 13
TABLE 1 Formulae and Physical Properties of Selective PAH
Vapor
Melting
Boiling
Compound Molecular Pressure,
A
Formula Point, Point,
(Common Name) Weight kPa at
°C
°C
25°C
–2
Naphthalene C H 128.18 80.2 218 1.1 × 10
10 8
–3
Acenaphthylene C H 152.20 92-93 265-280 3.9 × 10
12 8
–2
Acenaphthene C H 154.20 90-96 278-279 2.1 × 10
12 10
–5
Fluorene C H 166.
...

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: D6209 − 98 (Reapproved 2012) D6209 − 13
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Gaseous and Particulate Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Ambient Air (Collection on
Sorbent-Backed Filters with Gas Chromatographic/Mass
1
Spectrometric Analysis)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6209; 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
2
1.1 This test method specifies sampling, cleanup, and analysis procedures for the determination of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH) in ambient air.
1.2 This test method is designed to collect both gas-phase and particulate-phase PAH and to determine them collectively.
1.3 This test method is a high-volume sampling (100 to 250 L/min) method capable of detecting PAH at sub-nanograms per
3 3
cubic metre (ng/m ) concentrations with sampling volumes up to 350 m of air.
1.4 This test method has been validated for sampling periods up to 24 h.
1.5 Precision and bias under normal conditions can be expected to be 635 to 50 %.
1.6 This test method describes a sampling and analysis procedure for PAH that involves collection from air on a combination
fine-particle filter and sorbent trap and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).
3
1.7 The range of this test method is approximately 0.05 to 1000 ng/m of air sampled.
1.8 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as standard.
1.9 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. See also Section 8 for additional safety precautions.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere
D3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Pressure
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1356.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres
and Source Emissions.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2012April 1, 2013. Published November 2012April 2013. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20042012 as
D6209 - 98 (2004).(2012). DOI: 10.1520/D6209-98R12.10.1520/D6209-13.
2
This test method is based on U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Compendum Method TO-13, Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic
Compounds in Ambient Air, Report No. EPA/600-4-89/018, June 1988, available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA
22161, Order No. PB90-11989/AS.
3
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 ----------------------
D6209 − 13
TABLE 1 Formulae and Physical Properties of Selective PAH
Vapor
Melting
Boiling
Compound Molecular Pressure,
A
Formula Point, Point,
(Common Name) Weight kPa at
°C
°C
25°C
–2
Naphthalene C H 128.18 80.2 218 1.1 × 10
10 8
–3
Acenaphthylene C H 152.20 92-93 265-280 3.9 × 10
12 8
–2
Acenaphthene C H 154.20 90-96 278-279 2.1 × 10
12 10
–5
Fluorene C H 166.23 116-118 293-295 8.7 × 10
13 10
–5
9-Fluorenone C H O 180.21 84 341.5 ca.10
13 8
–6
Anthracene C H 178.24 216-219 340 3.6 × 10
14 10
–5
Phenanthrene C H 178.24 96-101 339-340 2.3 × 10
14 10
–7
Fluoranthene C H 202.26 107-111 375-393 6.5 × 10
16 10
–6
Pyrene C H 202.26 150-156 360-404 3.1 × 10
16 10
–7
Cyclopental[cd]pyrene C H 226.28 ca. 275? — ca. 10
18 10
–8
Benz[a]anthracene C H 228.30 157-167 435 1.5 × 10
18 12
–10
Chrysene C H 228.30 252-256 441-448 5.7 × 10
18 12
–6
...