ASTM D6877-03(2008)
(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
The test method supports proposed, occupational exposure standards (6, 7) for DPM. In the United States alone, over a million workers are occupationally exposed (8). An exposure standard for mines is especially important because miners' exposures are often quite high. NIOSH (8), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (9) (IARC), the World Health Organization (10) (WHO), the California Environmental Protection Agency (11), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (12) (EPA), and the National Toxicology Program (13) have reviewed the animal and human evidence. All have classified diesel exhaust as a probable human carcinogen or similar designation.
The test method provides a measure of occupational exposure to DPM. Previous studies have produced equivocal results because exposure data are lacking. Given the economic and public health impact of epidemiological studies, accurate risk assessment is critical. An ongoing NIOSH/NCI study of miners exposed to diesel exhaust should provide a more quantitative estimate of the lung cancer risk. 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).
The test method supports a proposed EPA air standard for fine particulate carbon. Recent studies indicate a positive association between airborne levels of fine particles and respiratory illness and mortality (14-22). 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 determinations and valid comparisons of interlaboratory data.
The test method is being applied for emission-control testing.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers determination of organic and elemental carbon 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 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) . Speciation of organic and elemental carbon is achieved through temperature and atmosphere control, and an optical feature that corrects for sample charring.
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 organic and elemental 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. Open-faced cassettes give even deposits but are often not practical. Closed-face cassettes give equivalent results if other dusts are absent. 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 approximately 0.2 µg carbon per cm2 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 of media blanks from a commercial laboratory were OC = 1.2 µg/cm2, EC = 0.4 µg/cm2, and TC = 1.3 µg/cm2, where OC, EC, and TC refer to organic, elemental, and total carbon, respectively.
1.5 OC-EC methods are operational, which means the analytical procedure defines the analyte. The test method offers greater selectivity and precis...
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D6877 − 03(Reapproved 2008)
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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.5 OC-EC methods are operational, which means the
analyticalproceduredefinestheanalyte.Thetestmethodoffers
1.1 This test method covers determination of organic and
greater selectivity and precision than thermal techniques that
elemental carbon in the particulate fraction of diesel engine
donotcorrectforcharringoforganiccomponents.Theanalysis
exhaust,hereafterreferredtoasdieselparticulatematter(DPM
method is simple and relatively quick (about 15 min). The
). Samples of workplace atmospheres are collected on quartz-
analysis and data reduction are automated, and the instrument
fiber filters. The method also is suitable for other types of
is programmable (different methods can be saved as methods
carbonaceous aerosols, but it is not appropriate for sampling
for other applications).
volatile or semi-volatile components. These components re-
quire sorbents for efficient collection. 1.6 A method (5040) for DPM based on thermal-optical
NOTE1—Samplecollectionandhandlingproceduresforenvironmental
analysis has been published by the National Institute for
samples differ from occupational samples. This standard addresses occu-
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Method updates (3,
pational monitoring of DPM in workplaces where diesel-powered equip-
4)havebeenpublishedsinceitsinitial(1996)publicationinthe
ment is used.
NIOSHManualofAnalyticalMethods(NMAM).Both OCand
1.2 The method is based on a thermal-optical technique (1,
EC are determined by NMAM 5040. An EC exposure marker
2
2) . Speciation of organic and elemental carbon is achieved
was recommended because EC is a more selective measure of
through temperature and atmosphere control, and an optical
exposure.Acomprehensivereviewofthemethodandrationale
feature that corrects for sample charring.
for selection of an EC marker are provided in a recent Chapter
1.3 A portion of a 37-mm, quartz-fiber filter sample is of NMAM (5).
analyzed. Results for the portion are used to calculate the total
1.7 The thermal-optical instrument required for the analysis
massoforganicandelementalcarbononthefilter.Theportion 3
is manufactured by a private laboratory. As with most
mustberepresentativeoftheentirefilterdeposit.Ifthedeposit
instrumentation, design improvements continue to be made.
is uneven, two or more representative portions should be
Different laboratories may be using different instrument mod-
analyzed for an average. Open-faced cassettes give even
els.
deposits but are often not practical. Closed-face cassettes give
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
equivalentresultsifotherdustsareabsent.Othersamplersmay
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
be required, depending on the sampling environment (2-5).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.4 The calculated limit of detection (LOD) depends on the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
level of contamination of the media blanks (5). A LOD of
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
2
approximately 0.2 µg carbon per cm of filter was estimated
tionary statements are given in 7.1.5, 8.3, and 12.12.2.
when analyzing a sucrose standard solution applied to filter
portions cleaned immediately before analysis. LODs based on
2. Referenced Documents
media blanks stored after cleaning are usually higher. LODs
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
based on a set of media blanks from a commercial laboratory
2 2 2
were OC=1.2µg/cm , EC=0.4µg/cm ,and TC=1.3µg/cm ,
where OC, EC, and TC refer to organic, elemental, and total
3
The carbon analyzer used in the development and performance evaluation of
carbon, respectively.
th
this test method was manufactured by Sunset Laboratory, 2017 19 Avenue, Forest
Grove, Oregon 97116, which is the sole source of supply of the instrument known
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air to the committee at this time. If you are aware of alternative suppliers, please
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive
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Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally may attend.
4
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as
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