ASTM D1739-98(2017)

Standard Test Method for Collection and Measurement of Dustfall (Settleable Particulate Matter)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method has the advantage of extreme simplicity. It is a crude and non-specific test method, but it is useful in the study of long-term trends. It requires very little investment in equipment and can be carried out without a large technically-skilled staff.  
5.2 This test method is useful for obtaining samples of settleable particulate matter for further chemical analysis (1).4
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for collection of dustfall and its measurement. This test method is not appropriate for determination of the dustfall rate in small areas affected by specific sources. This test method describes determination of both water-soluble and insoluble particulate matter.  
1.2 This test method is inappropriate for industrial hygiene use except where other more specific methods are also used.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2017
• ICS: 13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.03 - Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D1739-98(2010) - Standard Test Method for Collection and Measurement of Dustfall (Settleable Particulate Matter)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM D1356-20a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1356-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14b - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D1356-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2014
• Refers: ASTM E11-13 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM D1356-05(2010) - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E11-09e1 - Standard Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Sieves
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM D1193-06 - Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM D1356-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-May-2005
• Refers: ASTM E11-04 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 01-May-2004
• Refers: ASTM E11-01 - Standard Specification for Wire Cloth and Sieves for Testing Purposes
• Effective Date: 10-May-2001

Overview

ASTM D1739-98(2017): Standard Test Method for Collection and Measurement of Dustfall (Settleable Particulate Matter) is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This standard outlines a practical, cost-effective procedure for collecting and measuring dustfall, or settleable particulate matter, from ambient air. The method is valued for its simplicity, requiring minimal technical expertise and equipment, making it accessible to a wide range of organizations interested in environmental monitoring.

The method provides a way to evaluate long-term dust deposition trends across broad areas, focusing on both water-soluble and insoluble particulate fractions. Although it does not specify dustfall rates for small areas affected by specific sources and is not intended as a standalone industrial hygiene measure, ASTM D1739 is valuable for general environmental assessments and for obtaining samples for further chemical analysis.

Key Topics

• Settleable Particulate Matter: Defined as particles small enough to pass through a 1-mm sieve and large enough to settle from the air due to gravity.
• Sample Collection: Using open-topped containers placed at standardized locations and heights, exposed for a predetermined period (typically one month), to allow dust to settle.
• Measurement: Post-exposure, both water-soluble and insoluble particulates are quantified in the laboratory. Results are reported as grams per square meter per 30-day period.
• Site Selection: The sampling site must be open, away from local pollution sources and structures, and meet specific spatial criteria to ensure reliable data.
• Quality Control: Guidance on the recommended number of sampling sites and documentation helps ensure coverage and data integrity.

Applications

ASTM D1739-98(2017) is widely used for:

• Environmental Monitoring: Government agencies, research institutions, and environmental consultancies use this method to monitor dustfall in both urban and rural settings.
• Trend Analysis: The simplicity and reproducibility of the method make it ideal for long-term studies, tracking changes in ambient air quality and dust deposition over time.
• Obtaining Samples for Analysis: Collected dust can be used for subsequent chemical characterization, helping to identify sources or analyze specific contaminants.
• Community Dust Surveys: The method provides a baseline for dustfall in large areas, supporting air quality management and public health initiatives.
• Validation of Air Quality Models: The empirical dustfall data are useful for validating and calibrating dispersion models and environmental impact assessments.

Note: While the method is not suitable as the sole tool for industrial hygiene applications, especially where precise source attribution is required, it complements other air sampling techniques in comprehensive air quality studies.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1356: Provides terminology related to sampling and analysis of atmospheres, supporting consistent communication across air quality measurements.
• ASTM D1193: Specifies requirements for reagent water, essential for dustfall sample processing.
• ASTM E11: Details specifications for woven wire test sieve cloth and test sieves, relevant to the particle separation steps in ASTM D1739.
• IEEE/ASTM SI-10: Outlines the use of SI units, ensuring data reported under ASTM D1739 are globally compatible.

Additional referenced guides and technical literature may provide further context on best practices for site selection, data validation, and interpretation.

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Keywords: ASTM D1739, dustfall measurement, settleable particulate matter, ambient air quality, environmental monitoring, particulate collection standard, ASTM air sampling, dust deposition analysis

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: D1739 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Method for
Collection and Measurement of Dustfall (Settleable
Particulate Matter)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1739; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for collection of 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
dustfall and its measurement. This test method is not appro- method, refer to Terminology D1356.An explanation of units,
priate for determination of the dustfall rate in small areas symbols, and conversion factors may be found in Practice
affected by specific sources. This test method describes deter- E380.
mination of both water-soluble and insoluble particulate mat- 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ter. 3.2.1 settleable particulate material—any material com-
posed of particles small enough to pass through a 1-mm screen
1.2 This test method is inappropriate for industrial hygiene
(see Specification E11) and large enough to settle by virtue of
use except where other more specific methods are also used.
their weight into the container from the ambient air.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Summary of Test Method
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.1 Containersofastandardsizeandshapearepreparedand
sealed in a laboratory and then opened and set up at appropri-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ately chosen sites so that particulate matter can settle into them
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
for periods of about 30 days. The containers are then closed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and returned to the laboratory.The masses of the water-soluble
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and -insoluble components of the material collected are deter-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mined. The results are reported as grams per square metre per
2. Referenced Documents
30 days g/(m ·30d).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5. Significance and Use
B57 Specification for Copper-Alloy Condenser Tube Plates;
5.1 This test method has the advantage of extreme simplic-
Replaced by B 171 (Withdrawn 1941)
ity. It is a crude and non-specific test method, but it is useful in
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
the study of long-term trends. It requires very little investment
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
in equipment and can be carried out without a large
Atmospheres
technically-skilled staff.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
5.2 This test method is useful for obtaining samples of
Sieves
settleable particulate matter for further chemical analysis (1).
IEEE/ASTM SI-10 American National Standard for Use of
theInternationalSystemofUnits(SI):TheModernMetric
6. Interferences
System
6.1 The results from this test method are obtained by
weighings.Any material that gets into the container and passes
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air through the sieve used in analysis, but which did not settle into
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.03 on Ambient
the container after air entrainment can be considered an
Atmospheres and Source Emissions.
interferent.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017. Published March 2017. Originally
approved in 1960. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D1739 – 98 (2010).
7. Apparatus
DOI: 10.1520/D1739-98R17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.1 Container—An open-topped cylinder not less than 150
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mm [6 in.] in diameter with height not less than twice its
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
www.astm.org. this test method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1739 − 98 (2017)
diameter. Containers should be made of stainless steel or
weatherproof plastic. They shall be capable of accepting
legible, weatherproof, identification markings. A tight-fitting
lid is needed for each container.
7.2 Stand, for the container, which will hold the top of the
container at a height of 2 m above ground. It will also include
a wind shield constructed in accordance with Figs. 1 and 2.
Experiments reported in Kohler and Fleck (2) indicate that
much better precision is obtained when this simple aerody-
namic shield is provided, and that there is a wide variability in
the concentration of particles subject to settling at heights of
less than 2 m.
7.3 Sieve, 1 mm (No. 18), stainless steel.
7.4 Drying Oven, with temperature controlled at 105°C.
7.5 Buchner Funnel, and 2 L filtering flask.
7.6 Filter Paper, fast filtering type, circles to fit the Buchner
FIG. 2 Plan View of Wind Shield
funnel.
7.7 Evaporating Dishes, 100-mL capacity, capable of being
unambiguously identified.
9.1.1 Location:
9.1.1.1 These recommendations are a guide to the selection
7.8 Desiccators.
of a site. In cases where these guidelines cannot be followed,
7.9 Analytical Balance, to weigh with a precision of 60.1
results should only be presented accompanied by an appropri-
mg.
ate caveat.
7.10 Flexible Spatula.
9.1.1.2 The sampling site should be in an open area, free of
structureshigherthan1mwithina20-mradiusofthecontainer
7.11 Crate, or frame in which to carry the containers.
stand. It should be away from local sources of pollution and
7.12 Graduated Cylinder, 1 L capacity, whose graduations
objects that could affect the settling of particulate matter, such
have been checked for calibration accuracy, 65 mL, using, for
astrees,andairexhaustsandintakes.Accessibilityandsecurity
example, volumetric flasks or pipettes.
from vandalism are major considerations in the selection of a
site.
8. Reagents
9.1.1.3 Elevations to higher objects within 20 m should not
8.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, reference
exceed 30° from the horizontal.
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
9.1.1.4 Open areas around police and fire stations and
by Type II of Specification D1193.
libraries are often suitable because of their accessibility and
security.
9. Sampling
9.1.1.5 Avoid sitting the containers near chimneys. When-
9.1 Sites (3, 4); for general sampling strategy, see Specifi-
ever possible, the sampling site shall be more than ten
cations B57.
stack-lengths from an operating stack and upwind from it in
accordance with the most frequent wind direction.
NOTE 1—Do not assume that stacks are unused without making direct
inquiry.
9.1.2 Number of Sites (5)—For each region to be surveyed,
a minimum of four sampling sites shall be provided, to allow
for rejected samples and to provide some evidence for quality
assurance checks.An orderly spacing of the stations should be
made approximately at the vertices of an equilateral triangular
grid.Theavailabilityofstaffwilloftenbeaconstrainingfactor,
but it is suggested that the spacing between sites be between 5
and 8 km.
9.1.3 Site Records—A file which will contain physical
information specific to each site, such as the approximate
elevation above sea level, map co-ordinates, and so forth,
should be maintained for each site. It should include a detailed
description, or photographs of the container stand that include
its surroundings. Also included should be photographs or
FIG. 1 Wind Shield for Dustfall Container detailed descriptions of the surrounding area in the four
D1739 − 98 (2017)
compass point directions from the container stand. Unusual 10.2.3 Seatthefilterpaper(10.2.2)intheBuchnerfunnelby
activities occurring in the neighborhood of the site that emit wetting it with a small amount of reagent water. Place the
large amounts of particulate matter into the air should be funnel on the filter flask. If the container to be analyzed is dry
recorded in the site file. Such events are fires, construction and or has less than 200 mL of water in it, add enough reagent
demolition work, traffic diversions, and so forth. Records of water to it to bring the volume of liquid up to about 200 mL.
these events will greatly increase the value of the data gathered Swirl the water around to entrain the settled particulate matter.
fromthistestmethod.Recordsofrainandsnowfallforthesites Use a clean flexible spatula rinsed with reagent water to swab
may also be helpful in interpreting the results from this test down the walls of the container and ensure that all the
method. particulate matter is freed from the walls and bottom of the
container. Pour the liquid and entrained particulate matter into
9.2 Preparation of the Containers—Thoroughly clean the
the filter funnel through the No. 18 sieve. The filtrate collected
containers and lids, using detergent solution. Rinse the con-
in the flask will be used later for determination of soluble
tainers twice with reagent water. The containers should be
matter.
sealed with their lids, labelled with identification numbers, and
10.2.4 Measure and record the volume of the filtrate in the
placed in the rack or crate.
graduatedcylinderandretainitfordeterminationofthesoluble
9.3 Sample Collection:
material. Rinse the container with approximately 100 mL of
9.3.1 Set out the containers at th
...