ASTM D5953M-16

Standard Test Method for Determination of Non-methane Organic Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic Preconcentration and Direct Flame Ionization Detection

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Many regulators, industrial processes, and other stakeholders require determination of NMOC in atmospheres.  
5.2 Accurate measurements of ambient NMOC concentrations are critical in devising air pollution control strategies and in assessing control effectiveness because NMOCs are primary precursors of atmospheric ozone and other oxidants (7, 8).  
5.2.1 The NMOC concentrations typically found at urban sites may range up to 1 to 3 ppm C or higher. In order to determine transport of precursors into an area monitoring site, measurement of NMOC upwind of the site may be necessary. Rural NMOC concentrations originating from areas free from NMOC sources are likely to be less than a few tenths of 1 ppm C.  
5.3 Conventional test methods based upon gas chromatography and qualitative and quantitative species evaluation are relatively time consuming, sometimes difficult and expensive in staff time and resources, and are not needed when only a measurement of NMOC is desired. The test method described requires only a simple, cryogenic pre-concentration procedure followed by direct detection with an FID. This test method provides a sensitive and accurate measurement of ambient total NMOC concentrations where speciated data are not required. Typical uses of this standard test method are as follows.  
5.4 An application of the test method is the monitoring of the cleanliness of canisters.  
5.5 Another use of the test method is the screening of canister samples prior to analysis.  
5.6 Collection of ambient air samples in pressurized canisters provides the following advantages:  
5.6.1 Convenient collection of integrated ambient samples over a specific time period,  
5.6.2 Capability of remote sampling with subsequent central laboratory analysis,  
5.6.3 Ability to ship and store samples, if necessary,  
5.6.4 Unattended sample collection,  
5.6.5 Analysis of samples from multiple sites with one analytical system,  
5.6.6 Collection of replicate samples for assess...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method2 presents a procedure for sampling and determination of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) in ambient, indoor, or workplace atmospheres.  
1.2 This test method describes the collection of integrated whole air samples in silanized or other passivated stainless steel canisters, and their subsequent laboratory analysis.  
1.2.1 This test method describes a procedure for sampling in canisters at final pressures above atmospheric pressure (pressurized sampling).  
1.3 This test method employs a cryogenic trapping procedure for concentration of the NMOC prior to analysis.  
1.4 This test method describes the determination of the NMOC by the flame ionization detection (FID), without the use of gas chromatographic columns and other procedures necessary for species separation.  
1.5 The range of this test method is from 20 to 10 000
ppb C (1, 2).3  
1.6 This test method has a larger uncertainty for some halogenated or oxygenated hydrocarbons than for simple hydrocarbons or aromatic compounds. This is especially true if there are high concentrations of chlorocarbons or chlorofluorocarbons present.  
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2016
• ICS: 13.040.01 - Air quality in general
• ICS: 71.040.50 - Physicochemical methods of analysis
• 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: D5953M − 16
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Non-methane Organic Compounds (NMOC)
in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic Preconcentration and Direct
1
Flame Ionization Detection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5953M; 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 conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
2 tion only and are not considered standard.
1.1 This test method presents a procedure for sampling and
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
determination of non-methane organic compounds (NMOC) in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ambient, indoor, or workplace atmospheres.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method describes the collection of integrated
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
whole air samples in silanized or other passivated stainless
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
steel canisters, and their subsequent laboratory analysis.
1.2.1 This test method describes a procedure for sampling in
2. Referenced Documents
canisters at final pressures above atmospheric pressure (pres-
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
surized sampling).
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.3 This test method employs a cryogenic trapping proce-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
dure for concentration of the NMOC prior to analysis.
Atmospheres
D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
1.4 This test method describes the determination of the
Atmosphere
NMOC by the flame ionization detection (FID), without the
D5466 Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic
use of gas chromatographic columns and other procedures
Compounds in Atmospheres (Canister Sampling Method-
necessary for species separation.
ology)
1.5 The range of this test method is from 20 to 10 000
2.2 Other References:
3
ppb C (1, 2).
EPA Method TO-12 Determination of Non-Methane Organic
1.6 This test method has a larger uncertainty for some Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic
halogenated or oxygenated hydrocarbons than for simple Pre-Concentration and Direct Flame Ionization Detection
5
hydrocarbons or aromatic compounds. This is especially true if (PDFID)
there are high concentrations of chlorocarbons or chlorofluo-
3. Terminology
rocarbons present.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
method, refer to Terminology D1356.
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 cryogen—a refrigerant used to obtain very low tem-
1 peratures in analytical system cryogenic traps.
This is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Liquid argon (bp –185.7°C at standard
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres and
Source Emissions.
pressure) is recommended and may be required for use in some
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally
applications of this test method. Cryogens with lower boiling
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D5953M – 96 (2009).
DOI: 10.1520/D5953M-16.
2
This test method is based on EPA Compendium Method TO-12: “Determination
4
of Non-Methane Organic Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Pre-Concentration and Direct Flame Ionization Detection (PDFID),” Compendium contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air, EPA Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
600 4-89-017, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, the ASTM website.
5
March 1990. Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), William
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460,
this standard. http://www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5953M − 16
points, such as liquid nitrogen, may be used if the cryogenic 4.6 The sample is injected into the hydrogen-rich flame of
trap temperature is actively maintained at –185°C to avoid the an FID, where the organic vapors b
...

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: D5953M − 96 (Reapproved 2009) D5953M − 16
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Non-MethaneNon-methane Organic
Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic
Preconcentration and Direct Flame Ionization Detection
1
Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5953M; 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 coverspresents a procedure for sampling and determining concentrations determination of non-methane
organic compounds (NMOC) in ambient, indoor, or workplace atmospheres.
1.2 TheThis test method describes the collection of cumulative integrated whole air samples in silanized or other passivated
stainless steel canisters, and their subsequent laboratory analysis.
1.2.1 This test method describes a procedure for sampling in canisters at final pressures above atmospheric pressure (referred
to as pressurized (pressurized sampling).
1.3 This test method employs a cryogenic trapping procedure for concentration of the NMOC prior to analysis.
1.4 This test method describes the determination of the NMOC by the simple flame ionization detectordetection (FID), without
the use of gas chromatographic columns and complexother procedures necessary for species separation.
1.5 The range of this test method is from 20 to 10 000
3
ppbCppb C (1, 2). See for procedures for lowering the range.
1.6 TheThis test method may yield less accurate results has a larger uncertainty for some halogenated or oxygenated
hydrocarbons emitted from nearby sources of industrial air pollutants. than for simple hydrocarbons or aromatic compounds. This
is especially true if there are high concentrations of chlorocarbons or chlorofluorocarbons present.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions
to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
4
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere
D5466 Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Atmospheres (Canister Sampling Methodology)
1
This 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 Oct. 1, 2009Oct. 1, 2016. Published December 2009October 2016. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20012009
as D5953M - 96 (2001).D5953M – 96 (2009). DOI: 10.1520/D5953M-96R09.10.1520/D5953M-16.
2
This test method is based on EPA Method TO-12: “Determination of Non-Methane Organic Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic Pre-Concentration
and Direct Flame Ionization Detection (PDFID)”, Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air, EPA 600 4-89-017, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, March 1990.This test method is based on EPA Compendium Method TO-12: “Determination of Non-Methane
Organic Compounds (NMOC) in Ambient Air Using Cryogenic Pre-Concentration and Direct Flame Ionization Detection (PDFID),” Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air, EPA 600 4-89-017, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, March 1990.
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
4
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 ----------------------
D5953M − 16
2.2 Other References:
EPA Method
...