ASTM D4185-06(2011)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
Standard Practice for Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The health of workers in many industries is at risk through exposure by inhalation to toxic metals. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers' exposures, and this is generally achieved by making workplace air measurements. Exposure to some metal-containing particles has been demonstrated to cause dermatitis, skin ulcers, eye problems, chemical pneumonitis, and other physical disorders (1).
AAS is capable of quantitatively determining most metals in air samples at the levels required by federal, state, and local occupational health and air pollution regulations. The analysis results can be used for the assessment of workplace exposures to metals in workplace air.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the collection, dissolution, and determination of trace metals in workplace atmospheres, by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
1.2 The sensitivity, detection limit, and optimum working concentration for 23 metals are given in Table 1.
1.3 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. (Specific safety precautionary statements are given in Section 9.)
TABLE 1 AAS Instrumental Detection Limits and Optimum Working Concentration for 23 Metals ElementDetection Limit, μg/mL
(approximately three times
standard deviation of blank)AOptimum Linear Range
Upper Limit,
μg/mLTLV, mg/m3 (elements, compound classes, and oxides)B Ag0.00150.1 (metal) 0.01 (soluble compounds as Ag) Al0.04502.0 (soluble salts and alkyls not otherwise classified) 10 (metal dust and oxide) 5 (pyro powder and welding fume) Ba0.01100.5 (soluble compounds) Bi0.0310No Limit expressed for this element Ca0.00212 (oxide as CaO) Cd0.000810.01 (elemental and compoundstotal dust) 0.002 (elemental compoundsrespirable fraction) Co0.00950.02 (elemental and inorganic) 0.1 (carbonyl and hydrocarbonyl) Cr0.00350.5 (metal and Cr III compounds) 0.05 (water soluble Cr VI compounds) 0.01 (insoluble Cr VI compounds) Cu0.00250.2 (fume) 1 (dust and mists as Cu) Fe0.00555 (iron oxide fume) 5 (soluble salts as Fe) In0.03500.1 (metal and compounds) K0.0031No Limit expressed for this element Li0.00081No Limit expressed for this element Mg0.00020.510 (as MgO fume) Mn0.00250.2 (elemental and inorganic compounds) Na0.00030.5No Limit expressed for this element Ni0.00650.05 (elemental, soluble and insoluble compounds) Pb0.02100.15 (inorganic compounds, fume, dust) Rb0.0035No Limit expressed for this element Sr0.0035No Limit expressed for this element Tl0.02500.1 (soluble compounds) V0.061000.05 (pentoxide, respirable dust or fume, as V2O5) Zn0.002110 (oxide dust as ZnO) 5 (oxide fume as ZnO)
A These detection limits represent ideal laboratory conditions; variability due to sampling, digestion, reagents, and sample handling has not been taken into account.
B Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants and Physical Agents adopted by ACGIH for 1994–1995. Values are elemental concentrations except as noted.
General Information
Relations
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: D4185 − 06 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Practice for
Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by
1
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4185; 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 3.2.1 blank signal—that signal which results from all added
reagents and a clean membrane filter prepared and analyzed
1.1 This practice covers the collection, dissolution, and
exactly in the same way as the samples.
determination of trace metals in workplace atmospheres, by
3.2.2 instrumental detection limit—that concentration of a
flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
givenelementwhichproducesasignalthreetimesthestandard
1.2 The sensitivity, detection limit, and optimum working
deviation of the reagent blank signal.
concentration for 23 metals are given in Table 1.
3.2.3 working range for an analytical precision better than
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3%—therangeofsampleconcentrationsthatwillabsorb10to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
70 % of the incident radiation (0.05 to 0.52 absorbance units).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- NOTE 1—Values for instrumental detection limit may vary from
instrument to instrument.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Specific safety
precautionary statements are given in Section 9.)
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Workplaceairsamplesarecollectedonmembranefilters
2. Referenced Documents
2 and treated with nitric acid to destroy the organic matrix and to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
dissolve the metals present. The analysis is subsequently made
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
4.2 Samples and standards are aspirated into an appropriate
Atmospheres
D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient AAS flame. A hollow cathode or electrodeless discharge lamp
for the metal being determined provides a source of character-
Atmosphere
D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration istic radiation energy for that particular metal. The absorption
of this characteristic energy by the atoms of interest in the
D5337 Practice for Flow RateAdjustment of Personal Sam-
pling Pumps flame is related to the concentration of the metal in the
D7035 Test Method for Determination of Metals and Met- aspirated sample. The flame and operating conditions for each
alloids in Airborne Particulate Matter by Inductively element are listed in Table 2.
Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-
5. Significance and Use
AES)
5.1 The health of workers in many industries is at risk
3. Terminology
through exposure by inhalation to toxic metals. Industrial
hygienists and other public health professionals need to deter-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
mine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers’
practice, refer to Terminology D1356.
exposures, and this is generally achieved by making workplace
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
airmeasurements.Exposuretosomemetal-containingparticles
has been demonstrated to cause dermatitis, skin ulcers, eye
problems, chemical pneumonitis, and other physical disorders
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
3
(1).
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on WorkplaceAir Quality.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2011. Published October 2011. Originally
5.2 AAS is capable of quantitatively determining most
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D4185 - 06. DOI:
metals in air samples at the levels required by federal, state,
10.1520/D4185-06R11.
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 Boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to
the ASTM website. these methods.
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D4185 − 06 (2011)
TABLE 1 AAS Instrumental Detection Limits and Optimum Working Concentration for 23 Metals
Detection Limit, µg/mL Optimum Linear Range
3 B
Element (approximately three times Upper Limit, TLV, mg/m (elements, compound classes, and oxides)
A
standard deviation of blank
...
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