ASTM D6480-05(2010)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Wipe Sampling of Surfaces, Indirect Preparation, and Analysis for Asbestos Structure Number Concentration by Transmission Electron Microscopy
Standard Test Method for Wipe Sampling of Surfaces, Indirect Preparation, and Analysis for Asbestos Structure Number Concentration by Transmission Electron Microscopy
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This wipe sampling and indirect analysis test method is used for the general testing of surfaces for asbestos. It is used to assist in the evaluation of surfaces in buildings, such as ceiling tiles, shelving, electrical components, duct work, and so forth. This test method provides an index of the concentration of asbestos structures per unit area sampled as derived from a quantitative measure of the number of asbestos structures detected during analysis.
This test method does not describe procedures or techniques required for the evaluation of the safety or habitability of buildings with asbestos-containing materials, or compliance with federal, state, or local regulations or statutes. It is the user's responsibility to make these determinations.
At present, a single direct relationship between asbestos sampled from a surface and potential human exposure does not exist. Accordingly, the user should consider these data in relationship to other available information (for example, air sampling data) in their evaluation.
One or more large asbestos-containing particles dispersed during sample preparation may result in large asbestos surface loading results in the TEM analyses of that sample. It is, therefore, recommended that multiple replicate independent samples be secured in the same area, and that a minimum of three such samples be analyzed by the entire procedure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to identify asbestos in samples wiped from surfaces and to provide an estimate of the concentration of asbestos reported as the number of asbestos structures per unit area of sampled surface. The procedure outlined in this test method employs an indirect sample preparation technique. It is intended to disperse aggregated asbestos into fundamental fibrils, fiber bundles, clusters, or matrices. However, as with all indirect sample preparation techniques, the asbestos observed for quantification may not represent the physical form of the asbestos as sampled. More specifically, the procedure described neither creates nor destroys asbestos, but it may alter the physical form of the mineral fiber aggregates.
1.2 This test method describes the equipment and procedures necessary for wipe sampling of surfaces for levels of asbestos structures. The sample is collected onto a particle-free wipe material (wipe) from the surface of a sampling area that may contain asbestos.
1.2.1 The collection efficiency of this wipe sampling technique is unknown and will vary among substrates. Properties influencing collection efficiency include surface texture, adhesiveness, and other factors.
1.2.2 This test method is generally applicable for an estimate of the surface loading of asbestos structures starting from approximately 1000 asbestos structures per square centimetre.
1.3 Asbestos identification by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is based on morphology, electron diffraction (ED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA).
1.4 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of asbestos fibers present.
1.4.1 This test method cannot always discriminate between individual fibers of the asbestos and nonasbestos analogues of the same amphibole mineral.
1.4.2 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers that can be detected. However, in practice, the lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers, that can be detected, is variable and dependent on individual microscopists. Therefore, a minimum length of 0.5 μm has been defined as the shortest fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.
1.5 This test method 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 test method to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
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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: D6480 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Wipe Sampling of Surfaces, Indirect Preparation, and
Analysis for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading
by Transmission Electron Microscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6480; 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 1.4.2 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos
fibers that can be detected. However, in practice, the lower
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversaproceduretoidentifyasbestos
limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers, that can be detected,
in samples wiped from surfaces and to provide an estimate of
is variable and dependent on individual microscopists.
the concentration of asbestos reported as the number of
Therefore,aminimumlengthof0.5µmhasbeendefinedasthe
asbestos structures per unit area of sampled surface. The
shortest fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.
procedure outlined in this test method employs an indirect
1.5 This test method does not purport to address all of the
sample preparation technique. It is intended to disperse aggre-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
gated asbestos into fundamental fibrils, fiber bundles, clusters,
responsibility of the user of this test method to establish
or matrices. However, as with all indirect sample preparation
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
techniques, the asbestos observed for quantification may not
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
represent the physical form of the asbestos as sampled. More
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
specifically, the procedure described neither creates nor de-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
stroys asbestos, but it may alter the physical form of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mineral fiber aggregates.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 This test method describes the equipment and proce-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
dures necessary for wipe sampling of surfaces for levels of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
asbestosstructures.Thesampleiscollectedontoaparticle-free
wipe material (wipe) from the surface of a sampling area that
2. Referenced Documents
may contain asbestos.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.1 The collection efficiency of this wipe sampling tech-
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
nique is unknown and will vary among substrates. Properties
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
influencing collection efficiency include surface texture,
Atmospheres
adhesiveness, and other factors.
D3670Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2.2 This test method is generally applicable for an esti-
Methods of Committee D22
mateofthesurfaceloadingofasbestosstructuresstartingfrom
approximately 1000 asbestos structures per square centimetre. 2.2 Government Standard:
40 CFR 763, USEPA,Asbestos-Containing Materials in
1.3 Asbestosidentificationbytransmissionelectronmicros-
Schools:FinalRuleandNotice,AppendixAtoSub-partE
copy(TEM)isbasedonmorphology,electrondiffraction(ED),
2.3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Standards:
and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA).
EPA600/4-83-043Analytical Method for the Determination
1.4 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of
of Asbestos in Water
asbestos fibers present.
EPA747-R-95-001USEPA, Residential Sampling for Lead:
1.4.1 This test method cannot always discriminate between
Protocols for Dust and Soil Sampling: Final Report
individual fibers of the asbestos and nonasbestos analogues of
the same amphibole mineral.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Analysis of Asbestos. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6480–05. DOI: 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
10.1520/D6480-05R10. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6480 − 05 (2010)
3. Terminology 3.2.10 d-spacing or inter-planar spacing—the perpendicu-
lar distance between identical adjacent and parallel planes of
3.1 Definitions—Fordefinitionsofgeneraltermsusedinthis
atoms in a crystal.
test method, refer to Terminology D1356.
3.2.11 electron diffraction—techniques in electron micros-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
copythatincludeselectedareaelectrondiffraction(SAED)and
3.2.1 amphibole asbestos—amphibole in an asbestiform
microdiffractionbywhichthecrystalstructureofaspecimenis
habit (1).
examined.
3.2.2 analytical sensitivity—the calculated asbestos struc-
3.2.12 energy dispersive X-ray analysis—measurement of
ture concentration in asbestos structures/square centimetre,
the energies and intensities of X-rays by use of a solid state
equivalent to counting of one asbestos structure in the analysis
detector and multichannel analyzer system.
calculated using Eq 2.
3.2.13 eucentric—the condition when the area of interest of
3.2.3 asbestos—a collective term that describes a group of
an object is placed on a tilting axis at the intersection of the
naturallyoccurring,inorganic,highlyfibrous,silicateminerals,
electron beam at that axis and is in the plane of focus.
that are easily separated into long, thin, flexible, strong fibers
3.2.14 fiber—an elongate particle with parallel or stepped
when crushed or processed (1-3).
sides. For the purposes of this test method, a fiber is defined to
3.2.3.1 Discussion—Included in the definition are the as-
haveanaspectratioequaltoorgreaterthan5:1andaminimum
bestiform varieties of serpentine (chrysotile), riebeckite
length of 0.5 µm (see 40 CFR 763).
(crocidolite), grunerite (grunerite asbestos [Amosite]), an-
3.2.15 fibril—a single fiber, that cannot be further separated
thophyllite (anthophyllite asbestos), tremolite (tremolite
longitudinally into smaller components without losing its
asbestos), and actinolite (actinolite asbestos). The amphibole
fibrous properties or appearances.
mineral compositions are defined in accordance with nomen-
clature of the International Mineralogical Association (3,4).
3.2.16 fibrous mineral—a mineral composed of parallel,
Asbestos Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. radiating, or interlaced aggregates of fibers from which the
Chrysotile 12001-29-5
fibers are sometimes separable. That is, the crystalline aggre-
Crocidolite 12001-28-4
gate may be referred to as fibrous even if it is not composed of
Grunerite Asbestos [Amosite] 12172-73-5
Anthophyllite Asbestos 77536-67-5 separable fibers but has that distinct appearance. The term
Tremolite Asbestos 77536-68-6
fibrous is used in a general mineralogical way to describe
Actinolite Asbestos 77536-66-4
aggregates of grains that crystallize in a needle-like habit and
3.2.4 asbestos structure—atermappliedtoisolatedfibersor
appear to be composed of fibers. Fibrous has a much more
to any connected or overlapping grouping of asbestos fibers or
general meaning than asbestos. While it is correct that all
bundles, with or without other nonasbestos particles.
asbestos minerals are fibrous, not all minerals having fibrous
3.2.5 aspect ratio—the length to width ratio of a particle. habits are asbestos.
3.2.17 fibrous structure—a fiber, or connected grouping of
3.2.6 bundle—a structure composed of three or more fibers
fibers, with or without other particles.
in a parallel arrangement with the fibers closer than one fiber
diameter to each other.
3.2.18 field wipe blank—a clean, unused, moistened wipe
from the same supply that is used for sampling. Field wipes
3.2.7 camera length—the equivalent projection length be-
shall be processed in the same manner used to collect field
tween the specimen and its selection diffraction pattern, in the
sampleswiththeexceptionthatnosurfaceiswiped.Eachwipe
absence of lens action.
designated as a field wipe should be removed from the bulk
3.2.8 chrysotile—a group of fibrous minerals of the serpen-
pack, moistened, and folded in the same manner as the field
tine group that have the nominal composition Mg Si O (OH)
3 2 5 4
samplesandplacedinasamplecontainerlabeledasfieldwipe.
and have the crystal structure of either clinochrysotile,
3.2.19 filter blank—anunused,unprocessedfilterofthetype
orthochrysotile, or parachrysotile. Most natural chrysotile de-
used for liquid filtration.
viates little from this nominal composition. Chrysotile may be
partially dehydrated or magnesium-leached both in nature and
3.2.20 filtration blank—a filter prepared from 250 mL of
in building materials. In some varieties of chrysotile, minor
water.
3+
substitution of silicon by Al may occur. Chrysotile is the
3.2.21 habit—thecharacteristiccrystalgrowthformorcom-
most prevalent type of asbestos.
bination of these forms of a mineral, including characteristic
3.2.9 cluster—a structure with fibers in a random arrange-
irregularities.
ment such that all fibers are intermixed and no single fiber is
3.2.22 indirect preparation—a method in which a sample
isolated from the group; groupings of fibers must have more
passes through one or more intermediate steps prior to final
than two points touching.
filtration. The particles are removed from the original medium
and deposited on a second filter prior to analysis.
3.2.23 limit of detection—the limit of detection for a mea-
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
surement by this test method is 2.99 multiplied by the
this standard.
5 analytical sensitivity for the measurement.
The nonasbestiform variations of the minerals indicated in 3.2.3.1 have
different Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers. 3.2.23.1 Discussion—This limit of detection is based on the
D6480 − 05 (2010)
assumption that the count resulting from potential filter section of the membrane filter is prepared and transferred to a
contamination, sample preparation contamination, and other TEM grid, using the direct transfer method. The asbestiform
uncontrollable background sources is no greater than 0.05 structuresareidentified,sized,andcountedbyTEM,usingED
structurespersample.Atthistime,however,thissubcommittee and EDXA at a magnification from 15000 to 20000 ×.
has no empirical data to confirm this rate.
5. Significance and Use
3.2.24 matrix—a structure in which one or more fibers, or
5.1 This wipe sampling and indirect analysis test method is
fiber bundles that are touching, are attached to, or partially
used for the general testing of surfaces for asbestos. It is used
concealed by, a single particle or connected group of nonfi-
to assist in the evaluation of surfaces in buildings, such as
brous particles. The exposed fiber must meet the fiber defini-
ceilingtiles,shelving,electricalcomponents,ductwork,andso
tion.
forth. This test method provides an index of the concentration
3.2.25 process blank—an unused wipe (that has not been
of asbestos structures per unit area sampled as derived from a
taken into the field) processed in accordance with the entire
quantitative measure of the number of asbestos structures
preparation and analytical procedure.
detected during analysis.
3.2.26 replicate sampling—one of several identical proce-
5.1.1 This test method does not describe procedures or
dures or samples.
techniques required for the evaluation of the safety or habit-
3.2.27 serpentine—a group of common rock-forming min-
ability of buildings with asbestos-containing materials, or
eralshavingthenominalformula:Mg Si O (OH) .Forfurther
compliance with federal, state, or local regulations or statutes.
3 2 5 4
information see Ref. (4).
It is the user’s responsibility to make these determinations.
5.1.2 At present, a single direct relationship between asbes-
3.2.28 structure—a single fiber, fiber bundle, cluster, or
tossampledfromasurfaceandpotentialhumanexposuredoes
matrix.
not exist. Accordingly, the user should consider these data in
3.2.29 structure number concentration—concentration ex-
relationship to other available information (for example, air
pressed in terms of asbestos structure number per unit of
sampling data) in their evaluation.
surface area.
5.2 One or more large asbestos-containing particles dis-
3.2.30 zone-axis—the crystallographic direction of a crystal
persed during sample preparation may result in large asbestos
that is parallel to the intersecting edges of the crystal faces
surface loading results in the TEM analyses of that sample. It
defining the crystal zone.
is, therefore, recommended that multiple replicate independent
3.3 Symbols:
samples be secured in the same area, and that a minimum of
three such samples be analyzed by the entire procedure.
eV = electron volt
h = hour
6. Interferences
J = joule
kV = kilovolt 6.1 The following materials have properties (that is, chemi-
min = minute(s)
calcompositionorcrystallinestructure)thatareverysimilarto
–3
mL = millilitre (10 litre)
asbestos minerals and may interfere with the analysis by
–6
µL = microlitre (10 litre)
causing a false positive to be recorded during the test.
–3
mm = millimetre (10 metre)
Therefore, literature references for these materials shall be
–6
µm = micrometre (10 metre)
maintained in the laboratory for comparison with asbestos
–9
nm = nanometre (10 metre)
mineralssothattheyarenotmisidentifiedasasbestosminerals.
s = second(s)
6.1.1 Antigorite,
W = watt
6.1.2 Fibrous talc,
Pa = pascals
6.1.3 Halloysite,
3.4 Acronyms:
6.1.4 Hornblende and other amphiboles,
6.1.5 Palygorskite (attapulgite),
DMF = dimethyl formamide
6.1.6 Pyroxenes,
ED = electron diffraction
6.1.7 Sepiolite, and
EDXA = energy dispersive X-ray analysis
6.1.8 Vermiculite scrolls.
FWHM = full width, half maximum
HEPA = High Efficiency Particulate Air
7. Apparatus
MCE = mixed cellulose ester and also refers to pure
cellulose nitrate filters 7.1 Equipment and Materials for Sampling:
PC = polycarbonate
7.1.1 Disposable Wet Towels.
TEM = transmission electron microscope
7.1.2 Masking Tape.
7.1.3 Measuring Tape.
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1.4 Powderless, Rubber Gloves.
4.1 Wipin
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