ASTM D4532-97

Standard Test Method for Respirable Dust in Workplace Atmospheres

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is useful for the determination of respirable dust (see Terminology D 1356) in a range from 0.5 to 10 mg/m  in workplace atmospheres.
1.2 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 consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-1997
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.04 - Workplace Air Quality

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4532-97(2003) - Standard Test Method for Respirable Dust in Workplace Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003
• Referred By: ASTM D5337-23 - Standard Practice for Setting and Verifying the Flow Rate of Personal Sampling Pumps
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D7049-17 - Standard Test Method for Metalworking Fluid Aerosol in Workplace Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D8358-21 - Standard Guide for Assessment and Inclusion of Wall Deposits in the Analysis of Single-Stage Samplers for Airborne Particulate Matter
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1747-95(2019) - Standard Guide for Purity of Carbon Dioxide Used in Supercritical Fluid Applications
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D8344-20 - Standard Practice for Ammonium Bifluoride and Nitric Acid Digestion of Airborne Dust and Dust-Wipe Samples for the Determination of Metals and Metalloids
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D7948-20 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Respirable Crystalline Silica in Workplace Air by Infrared Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E1132-21 - Standard Practice for Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D6062-19 - Standard Guide for Personal Samplers of Health-Related Aerosol Fractions
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D6552-06(2021) - Standard Practice for Controlling and Characterizing Errors in Weighing Collected Aerosols
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D6061-01(2018)e1 - Standard Practice for Evaluating the Performance of Respirable Aerosol Samplers
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D8208-19 - Standard Practice for Collection of Non-Fibrous Nanoparticles Using a Nanoparticle Respiratory Deposition (NRD) Sampler
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM E2625-19 - Standard Practice for Controlling Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica for Construction and Demolition Activities
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997
• Referred By: ASTM D4844-16 - Standard Guide for Air Monitoring at Waste Management Facilities for Worker Protection
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 4532 – 97
Standard Test Method for
Respirable Dust in Workplace Atmospheres
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4532; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 5.2 The limitations on the test method are a minimum
weight of 0.2 mg of dust on the filter, and a maximum loading
1.1 This test method is useful for the determination of
of 0.3 mg/cm on the filter. The test method may be used at
respirable dust (see Terminology D 1356) in a range from 0.5
higher loadings if the flow rate can be maintained constant.
to 10 mg/m in workplace atmospheres.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
6. Apparatus
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
6.1 The sampling unit consists of a pump and a sampling
responsibility of the user of this standard to consult and
head. The sampling head consists of a 10-mm cyclone and a
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
filter assembly.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
6.1.1 Pump—A personal sampling pump with a flow rate
2. Referenced Documents accurate to 65 %. Pump pulsation not to exceed6 20 % of the
mean flow. The pump must be capable of maintaining the mean
2.1 ASTM Standards:
flow constant to within 65 % during the sampling period.
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
2 Calibrate the sampling pump using Practice D 5337.
Atmospheres
6.1.2 Sampling Head—The sampling head consists of a
D 3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
10-mm cyclone, a filter, a filter-support pad, and a filter holder
D 5337 Practice for Flow Rate for Calibration of Personal
with suitable caps (see Fig. 1).
Sampling Pumps
6.1.2.1 The cyclone must be shown to be unbiased relative
D 6062M Guide for Personal Samplers of Health-Related
to the appropriate respirable dust criterion and the dust size
Aerosol Fractions (Metric)
distribution being sampled (3, 4, 5, 6). Based on the cyclone
E 1 Specification for ASTM Thermometers
penetration curve for non-pulsating flow measured with a
3. Terminology monodisperse aerosol, the bias in the test method is shown in
Fig. 2 for sampling rates appropriate for individual cyclones.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(7).
3.1.1 respirable fraction of the dust—that mass which
6.1.2.2 Cyclone samples collected with pulsating flow have
passes through a cyclone at the stated conditions (1, 2).
been shown to yield a negative bias as large as 22 % compared
4. Summary of Test Method
to samples collected under steady flow (8).
6.1.2.3 Electrostatic charge on the dust and a non-
4.1 Air is accurately drawn for a measured period of time
conductive sampler can cause bias as large as 50 %. (9).
through a 10-mm cyclone followed by a tared filter. The
6.1.3 The filter shall be non-hygroscopic and a collection
respirable dust concentration is calculated from the weight gain
efficiency greater than 95 % for the dust cloud of interest. The
of the filter and the total volume of air sampled.
filter and its filter support shall be 37 mm in diameter.
5. Significance and Use
NOTE 1—As an example, most glass fiber and membrane filters with
5.1 This test method covers the determination of respirable
nominal pore size of 5 μm will nearly always fulfill this requirement (10).
dust in workplace atmospheres. PVC is recommended for gravimetric analysis. The equilibrated filter is
preweighed by the user. The weight of the filter holder is not used in any
determination of weight gain in this test method. The filter holder material
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-22 on must not contribute to any weight change of the filter.
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
mittee D22.04 on Workplace Atmospheres.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1997. Published February, 1998. Originally
published as D 4532 – 85. Last previous edition D 4532 – 92. The sole source of the 10-mm cyclones known to the committee at this time is
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03. Dorr-Oliver, Inc., Milford, CT 06460. If you are aware of alternative suppliers,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.03. please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments will receive
4 1
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which
this test method. you may attend.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4532
6.11 Manometer, 0 to 250 mm of water (0 to 0.25 kPa) for
measuring the pressure drop across the sampling head.
6.12 Flexible Tube with Two Clips, one near the sampling
head, if the sampling head does not have a clip, and the other
midway between the sampling head and the pump. The length
of the tube is dependent on how the sampling unit is worn. A
length of 0.7 to 0.9 m is suitable if the pump is attached to the
worker’s belt.
6.13 Jar, leakproof, of suitable size to contain the sampling
head during calibration of sampling system. (See and Fig. 3).
7. Sampling
7.1 Clean and inspect the interior of the cyclone. If the
inside surfaces are visibly scored, replace the cyclone since the
dust separation characteristics might be altered.
7.2 Condition all filters to a constant weight. Record the
filter weight.
7.3 Place the tared filter and filter support in the filter holder,
close firmly, and tape the circumference of the filter holder. If
necessary, use the press described in 6.8. Suitably cover the
assembly to avoid contamination if it is held for any time prior
to use.
7.4 Assemble sampling apparatus as shown in Fig. 1.
7.5 Run the pump for 5 min to stabilize the flow rate.
7.6 Remove the filter holder caps and connect the filter
holder to the cyclone as required by the manufacturer. Connect
the outlet of the sampling head to the pump’s inlet with a piece
of flexible tubing. Check to be sure all connections are free of
leaks by closing off the filter inlet. Flow should stop in 10 to 15
s.
FIG. 1 Example of Personal Sampler for Respirable Dust
7.7 Check the sampling unit for proper operation, check for
6.1.4 Charger—Pump batteries shall be completely charged
leaks, and measure the flow rate.
with appropriate charger following the manufacturer’s instruc-
7.8 Sample at 1.7 L/min for the Dorr-Oliver 10-mm cy-
tions or disposable batteries may be used.
clone, or as directed by manufacturer of specific cyclones.
6.1.5 Suitable means is provided for separately attaching the
Depending on sample load, consecutive samples over the shift
pump and the sampling head to the appropriate person.
may be required. However, the sampling time should not
6.2 Buret, capacity of 1 L, used as a soap bubble meter for
exceed the operating life of the batteries or the prevailing “full
calibration of the sampling unit.
shift.” The nominal sampling period is 8 h. Sampling times
6.3 Barometer, capable of measuring atmospheric pressure
shorter than a full shift are permitted if the following occurs:
to 60.1 kPa.
7.8.1 The pressure drop across the filter exceeds the pump’s
6.4 Stopwatch, capable of measuring to 60.1 s.
capabilities; that is, the filter becomes clogged.
6.5 Weighing Room, with temperature and humidity control
7.8.2 Specific working operations of shorter duration are to
to allow weighing with an analytical balance to 60.01 mg.
be investigated.
6.6 Analytical Balance, capable of weighing 60.01 mg or
7.8.3 Determinations of variations of the exposure during a
better. Particular care must be given to the proper zeroing of
shift are made.
the balance. The same analytical balance and weights must be
7.9 Attach the sampling head to the worker so that it is
used for weighing filters before and after sample collection.
located in the breathing zone. The worker’s breathing zone
6.7 Charge Neutralizer, to eliminate static charge in the
consists of a hemisphere 300-mm radius extending in front of
balance case and on the filters during weighing. Replace
the face, and measured from a line bisecting the ears. The
Po-210 neutralizers 9 months after production date.
sampling head shall be placed in such a manner to prevent dust
6.8 Plane-Parallel Press, capable of giving a force of at
from falling into it and to avoid restricting the inlet. The pump
least 1000 N (may be required if plastic filter holders are used
can be attached to the worker’s belt.
that must be pressed together after insertion of the filter).
7.10 Initiate sampling by turning the pump on and setting
6.9 Tapered Tube Flow Meter, with precision 62% or
better within the range of the flow rate used. Calibrate the
The sole source for the 10-mm nylon cyclone calibrating jar known to the
meter using Practice D 3195.
committee at this time is Fischer Scientific, 711 Forbes Ave. If you are aware of
6.10 Thermometer, dry bulb, 0 to 50°C with divisions every
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your
0.1°C. (ASTM thermometers number 90C and 91C.) (See
comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible
Specification E 1.) technical committee which you may attend.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4532
FIG. 2 Bias of Three Cyclone Types Relative to the International Respirable Dust Sampling Convention
FIG. 3 Example of the Calibration Setup for Personal Sampling Pump with Respirable Dust Sampling Head
the flow rate determined in 8.5 and according to the manufac- completed before and after each sampling session. (See Fig. 3.)
turer’s instructions. Record the flow rate and the time. If the Maintenance and repairs, according to the manufacturer’s
flow rate changes during sampling by more than 65 %, record
instructions, should be performed on a regular schedule and
the change and the time. Reset the flow rate. If unable to reset
records kept for documentation.
the flow rate to the original setting, terminate sampling and
8.2 The choice of calibration instrument will depend largely
note the reason for termination. Follow Guide D 6062M for
on where the calibration is to be performed. A soap bubble
personal samplers.
meter or spirometer is recommended. Instructions for calibra-
7.11 At the end of the sampling period, turn the pump off
tion of the sampling unit with the soap bub
...