Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres (HBr Derivatization Method)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Ethylene oxide is a major industrial chemical with production volume ranked in the top 25 chemicals produced in the United States. It is used in the manufacture of a great variety of products as well as being a sterilizing agent and fumigant.
This test method provides a means of determining exposure levels of ETO in the working environment at the presently recommended exposure guidelines.
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) 1 ppm, 15-min excursion limit 5 ppm (CFR, Part 1910, Subpart Z, Section 1910.1047).  
ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) 1 ppm (1.8 mg/m3), suspected human carcinogen.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a method of collecting and analyzing samples to determine the amount of ethylene oxide (ETO) present in workplace atmospheres.
1.2 This test method can be used to provide a time-weighted average (TWA) over the concentration range from 0.2 to 4 ppm (v).
1.3 This test method can be used to determine 15-min excursions (STEL) ranging from 1 to 25 ppm (v).
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 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. See Section 9 for specific safety hazards.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
31-Mar-2010
Technical Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM D5578-04(2010) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres (HBr Derivatization Method)
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D5578 − 04(Reapproved 2010)
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres
1
(HBr Derivatization Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5578; 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.
3
1. Scope 2.2 Other Standard:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. De-
1.1 This test method covers a method of collecting and
partmentofLabor,Title29, Code of Federal Regulations,
analyzing samples to determine the amount of ethylene oxide
Part 1910, Subpart Z, Section 1910.1047.
(ETO) present in workplace atmospheres.
1.2 Thistestmethodcanbeusedtoprovideatime-weighted
3. Terminology
average(TWA)overtheconcentrationrangefrom0.2to4ppm
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
(v).
Terminology D1356, and Practice E355.
1.3 This test method can be used to determine 15-min
excursions (STEL) ranging from 1 to 25 ppm (v).
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 4.1 A known volume of air is pumped through a glass tube
2
standard.
packed with carbon molecular sieve, surface area 400 m /g
impregnated with hydrogen bromide (HBr) where ETO is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
adsorbed and converted to 2-bromoethanol.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.2 The tube contains two reactive sections for sample
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- collection. The backup section collects vapors that pass
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9 for
through the front section and is used to determine if the
specific safety hazards. collection capacity of the front section has been exceeded.
4.3 The resultant derivative, 2-bromoethanol, is desorbed
2. Referenced Documents
with a mixture of acetonitrile/toluene and analyzed using a gas
2
chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
4.4 Desorption efficiency is determined by spiking tubes
Atmospheres
withknownamountsof2-bromoethanolandanalyzingwiththe
D3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-
same procedure used for air samples.
ganic Compound Vapors (Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-
4.5 Quantitation is achieved by comparing peak areas from
sorption Method)
sample solutions with areas from standard solutions.
D3687 Practice for Analysis of Organic Compound Vapors
Collected by the Activated Charcoal Tube Adsorption
5. Significance and Use
Method
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation- 5.1 Ethylene oxide is a major industrial chemical with
ships production volume ranked in the top 25 chemicals produced in
the United States. It is used in the manufacture of a great
variety of products as well as being a sterilizing agent and
fumigant.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air
5.2 This test method provides a means of determining
Quality.
exposure levels of ETO in the working environment at the
Current edition approved April 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally
presently recommended exposure guidelines.
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5578 - 04. DOI:
10.1520/D5578-04R10.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the ASTM website. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5578 − 04 (2010)
5.2.1 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) 1 ppm, 7.6 Gas-Tight Syringe, 2 µL, with low dead-volume needle.
15-min excursion limit 5 ppm (CFR, Part 1910, Subpart Z,
7.7 Gas Chromatograph (GC):
3
Section 1910.1047).
7.7.1 Gas Chromatograph,withanelectroncapturedetector
5.2.2 ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) 1 ppm (1.8
and a suitable readout device.
3 4
mg/m ), suspected human carcinogen.
7.7.2 Chromatographic Column, packed or capillary col-
umns in accordance with 7.7.2.1 and 7.7.2.2 have been found
6. Interferences
suitable for this analysis.
1
6.1 Derivatives and other compounds that have identical or
7.7.2.1 Packed, 3.7 m by 3 mm (1
...

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