ASTM D6877-13e1
(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metal and nonmetal mines, but there currently are no limits for general occupational settings (a proposed limit (7) was withdrawn from the ACGIH Notice of Intended Changes (NIC) list in 2003).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 determi...
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 blan...
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´1
Designation: 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.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Editorial changes were submitted after publication in October 2013.
1. Scope the center of the filter. Other samplers may be required,
depending on the sampling environment (2-5).
1.1 This test method covers determination of organic and
elemental carbon (OC and EC) in the particulate fraction of 1.4 The calculated limit of detection (LOD) depends on the
dieselengineexhaust,hereafterreferredtoasdieselparticulate
level of contamination of the media blanks (5).A LOD of
2
matter (DPM). Samples of workplace atmospheres are col- approximately 0.2 µg carbon per cm of filter was estimated
lected on quartz-fiber filters. The method also is suitable for
when analyzing a sucrose standard solution applied to filter
other types of carbonaceous aerosols and has been widely portions cleaned immediately before analysis. LODs based on
applied to environmental monitoring. It is not appropriate for
media blanks stored after cleaning are usually higher. LODs
sampling volatile or semi-volatile components. These compo- based on a set of media blanks analyzed over a six month
2
nents require sorbents for efficient collection.
period at a commercial laboratory were OC = 1.2 µg/cm , EC
2 2
NOTE1—Samplecollectionandhandlingproceduresforenvironmental
= 0.4 µg/cm , and TC = 1.3 µg/cm , where TC refers to total
samples differ from occupational samples. This standard addresses occu-
carbon (TC = OC + EC). In practice, the LOD estimate
pational monitoring of DPM in workplaces where diesel-powered equip-
provided by a laboratory is based on results for a set of media
ment is used.
blanks submitted with the samples.To reduce blank variability
1.2 The method is based on a thermal-optical technique (1,
(due to lack of loading), a manual OC-EC split is assigned at
2
2). Speciation of OC and EC is achieved through temperature
the time when oxygen is introduced. With manual splits, the
andatmospherecontrol,andanopticalfeaturethatcorrectsfor 2
SD for media blanks is typically about 0.02-0.03 µg EC/cm ,
sample charring (carbonization). 2
givingLODs(3×SDblank)fromabout0.06-0.09µgEC/cm .
1.3 A portion of a 37-mm, quartz-fiber filter sample is
The corresponding air concentration depends on the deposit
analyzed. Results for the portion are used to calculate the total area (filter size) and air volume.
mass of OC and EC on the filter. The portion must be
1.5 OC-EC methods are operational, which means the
representative of the entire filter deposit. If the deposit is
analyticalproceduredefinestheanalyte.Thetestmethodoffers
uneven, two or more representative portions should be ana-
greater selectivity and precision than thermal techniques that
lyzed for an average. Alternatively, the entire filter can be
donotcorrectforcharringoforganiccomponents.Theanalysis
analyzed, in multiple portions, to determine the total mass.
method is simple and relatively quick (about 15 min). The
Open-faced cassettes give even deposits but may not be
analysis and data reduction are automated, and the instrument
practical. At 2 L/min, closed-face cassettes generally give
is programmable (different methods can be saved as methods
results equivalent to open-face cassettes if other dusts are
for other applications).
absent. Higher flow rates may be employed, but closed-faced
1.6 A method (5040) for DPM based on thermal-optical
cassettes operated at higher flow rates (for example, 5 L/min)
analysis has been published by the National Institute for
sometimes have uneven deposits due to particle impaction at
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Method updates (3,
4)havebeenpublishedsinceitsinitial(1996)publicationinthe
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
NIOSHManualofAnalyticalMethods(NMAM).Both OCand
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air
EC are determined by NMAM 5040. An EC exposure marker
Quality.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally
(for DPM) was recommended because EC is a more selective
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6877–03 (2008).
measure of exposure. A comprehensive review of the method
DOI: 10.1520/D6877-13E01.
2
and rationale for selection of an EC marker are provided in a
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to references at the end of this test
method. Chapter of NMAM (5).
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