ASTM D6281-09
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
Standard Test Method for Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method is applicable to the measurement of airborne asbestos in a wide range of ambient air situations and for detailed evaluation of any atmosphere in which asbestos structures are likely to be present. Most fibers in ambient atmospheres are not asbestos, and therefore, there is a requirement for fibers to be identified. Most of the airborne asbestos fibers in ambient atmospheres have diameters below the resolution limit of the light microscope. This test method is based on transmission electron microscopy, which has adequate resolution to allow detection of small thin fibers and is currently the only technique capable of unequivocal identification of the majority of individual fibers of asbestos. Asbestos is often found, not as single fibers, but as very complex, aggregated structures, which may or may not also be aggregated with other particles. The fibers found suspended in an ambient atmosphere can often be identified unequivocally if sufficient measurement effort is expended. However, if each fiber were to be identified in this way, the analysis would become prohibitively expensive. Because of instrumental deficiencies or because of the nature of the particulate matter, some fibers cannot be positively identified as asbestos even though the measurements all indicate that they could be asbestos. Therefore, subjective factors contribute to this measurement, and consequently, a very precise definition of the procedure for identification and enumeration of asbestos fibers is required. The method defined in this test method is designed to provide a description of the nature, numerical concentration, and sizes of asbestos-containing particles found in an air sample. The test method is necessarily complex because the structures observed are frequently very complex. The method of data recording specified in the test method is designed to allow reevaluation of the structure-counting data as new applications for measurements are developed. All of the feasible ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is an analytical procedure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the determination of the concentration of asbestos structures in ambient atmospheres and includes measurement of the dimension of structures and of the asbestos fibers found in the structures from which aspect ratios are calculated.
1.1.1 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of asbestos fibers present.
1.1.2 This test method cannot always discriminate between individual fibers of the asbestos and non-asbestos analogues of the same amphibole mineral.
1.2 This test method is suitable for determination of asbestos in both ambient (outdoor) and building atmospheres.
1.2.1 This test method is defined for polycarbonate capillary-pore filters or cellulose ester (either mixed esters of cellulose or cellulose nitrate) filters through which a known volume of air has been drawn and for blank filters.
1.3 The upper range of concentrations that can be determined by this test method is 7000 s/mm2. The air concentration represented by this value is a function of the volume of air sampled.
1.3.1 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers that can be detected. In practice, microscopists vary in their ability to detect very small asbestos fibers. Therefore, a minimum length of 0.5 μm has been defined as the shortest fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.
1.4 The direct analytical method cannot be used if the general particulate matter loading of the sample collection filter as analyzed exceeds approximately 10 % coverage of the collection filter by particulate matter.
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.
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Designation: D6281 − 09
StandardTest Method for
Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor
Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission Electron
1
Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6281; 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 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
2 safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method is an analytical procedure using
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
transmissionelectronmicroscopy(TEM)forthedetermination
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of the concentration of asbestos structures in ambient atmo-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
spheres and includes measurement of the dimension of struc-
tures and of the asbestos fibers found in the structures from
2. Referenced Documents
which aspect ratios are calculated.
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.1 This test method allows determination of the type(s)
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
of asbestos fibers present.
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
1.1.2 This test method cannot always discriminate between
Atmospheres
individualfibersoftheasbestosandnon-asbestosanaloguesof
D1357Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
the same amphibole mineral.
Atmosphere
1.2 This test method is suitable for determination of asbes-
D4483Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method
tos in both ambient (outdoor) and building atmospheres.
StandardsintheRubberandCarbonBlackManufacturing
1.2.1 This test method is defined for polycarbonate
Industries
capillary-pore filters or cellulose ester (either mixed esters of
E177Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
cellulose or cellulose nitrate) filters through which a known
ASTM Test Methods
volume of air has been drawn and for blank filters.
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
1.3 The upper range of concentrations that can be deter-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
2
4
minedbythistestmethodis7000s/mm .Theairconcentration
2.2 ISO Standard:
represented by this value is a function of the volume of air
ISO 10312Ambient air - Determination of asbestos fibres -
sampled.
Direct-transfer transmission electron microscopy method
1.3.1 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos
fibers that can be detected. In practice, microscopists vary in 3. Terminology
their ability to detect very small asbestos fibers. Therefore, a
3.1 Fordefinitionsofgeneraltermsusedinthistestmethod,
minimum length of 0.5 µm has been defined as the shortest
refer to Terminology D1356 (see 2.1).
fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The direct analytical method cannot be used if the
3.2.1 acicular—the shape shown by an extremely slender
generalparticulatematterloadingofthesamplecollectionfilter
crystal with cross-sectional dimensions that are small relative
as analyzed exceeds approximately 10% coverage of the
to its length, that is, needle-like.
collection filter by particulate matter.
3.2.2 amphibole—a group of more than 60 different silicate
minerals with similar crystal structures and complex composi-
tions that conform to the nominal formula:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and
Analysis of Asbestos.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2009. Published December 2009. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6281–06. DOI: contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
10.1520/D6281-09. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
This test method was adapted from International Standard ISO 10312 “Air the ASTM website.
4
quality—Determination of asbestos fibres—Direct transfer transmission electron Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
microscopy method.” 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6281 − 09
A B C T O OH,F,Cl (1) 3.2.11 chrysotile—agroupoffibrousmineralsoftheserpen-
~ !
021 2 5 8 22
2
tine group that have the nominal composition Mg Si O (OH)
3 2 5 4
where:
and have the crystal structure of either clinochrysotil
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D6281–06 Designation: D6281 – 09
Standard Test Method for
Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor
Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission Electron
1
Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6281; 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 is an analytical procedure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the determination of the
concentration of asbestos structures in ambient atmospheres and includes measurement of the dimension of structures and of the
asbestos fibers found in the structures from which aspect ratios are calculated.
1.1.1 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of asbestos fibers present.
1.1.2 This test method cannot always discriminate between individual fibers of the asbestos and non-asbestos analogues of the
same amphibole mineral.
1.2 This test method is suitable for determination of asbestos in both ambient (outdoor) and building atmospheres.
1.2.1 This test method is defined for polycarbonate capillary-pore filters or cellulose ester (either mixed esters of cellulose or
cellulose nitrate) filters through which a known volume of air has been drawn and for blank filters.
2
1.3 The upper range of concentrations that can be determined by this test method is 7000 s/mm . The air concentration
represented by this value is a function of the volume of air sampled.
1.3.1 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers that can be detected. In practice, microscopists vary in their
ability to detect very small asbestos fibers. Therefore, a minimum length of 0.5 µm has been defined as the shortest fiber to be
incorporated in the reported results.
1.4 The direct analytical method cannot be used if the general particulate matter loading of the sample collection filter as
analyzed exceeds approximately 10 % coverage of the collection filter by particulate matter.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D1357 PracticeforPlanningtheSamplingoftheAmbientAtmosphereD4483PracticeforEvaluatingPrecisionforTestMethod
Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manu-
facturing Industries
D4483 Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing Industries
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
4
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 10312 Ambient air - Determination of asbestos fibres - Direct-transfer transmission electron microscopy method
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling and Analysis
of Asbestos.
Current edition approved AprilDec. 1, 2006.2009. Published May 2006.December 2009. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20042006 as
D6281 - 046. DOI: 10.1520/D6281-069.
2
This test method was adapted from International Standard ISO 10312 “Air quality - Determination of asbestos fibres - Direct transfer transmission electron microscopy
method.”
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6281 – 09
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of general terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1356 (see 2.1).
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 acicular—the shape shown by an extremely slender crystal with cross-sectio
...
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