ASTM D6480-05
(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.
5.1.1 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’responsibility to make these determinations.
5.1.2 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 m has been defined as the shortest fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.
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
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:D6480–05
Standard Test Method for
Wipe Sampling of Surfaces, Indirect Preparation, and
Analysis for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading
1
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. 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 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 This test method covers a procedure to identify asbestos
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. There-
the concentration of asbestos reported as the number of
fore, a minimum length of 0.5 µm has been defined as the
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
specifically, the procedure described neither creates nor de-
2. Referenced Documents
stroys asbestos, but it may alter the physical form of the
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mineral fiber aggregates.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.2 This test method describes the equipment and proce-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
dures necessary for wipe sampling of surfaces for levels of
Atmospheres
asbestos structures.The sample is collected onto a particle-free
D3670 Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of
wipe material (wipe) from the surface of a sampling area that
Methods of Committee D22
may contain asbestos.
3
2.2 Government Standard:
1.2.1 The collection efficiency of this wipe sampling tech-
40 CFR 763, USEPA, Asbestos-Containing Materials in
nique is unknown and will vary among substrates. Properties
Schools: Final Rule and Notice,AppendixAto Sub-part E
influencing collection efficiency include surface texture, adhe-
3
2.3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Standards:
siveness, and other factors.
EPA600/4-83-043 AnalyticalMethodfortheDetermination
1.2.2 This test method is generally applicable for an esti-
of Asbestos in Water
mate of the surface loading of asbestos structures starting from
EPA747-R-95-001 USEPA, Residential Sampling for Lead:
approximately 1000 asbestos structures per square centimetre.
Protocols for Dust and Soil Sampling: Final Report
1.3 Asbestos identification by transmission electron micros-
copy(TEM)isbasedonmorphology,electrondiffraction(ED),
3. Terminology
and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA).
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in
1.4 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of
this test method, refer to Terminology D1356.
asbestos fibers present.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4.1 This test method cannot always discriminate between
individual fibers of the asbestos and nonasbestos analogues of
the same amphibole mineral.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcom- contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
mittee D22.07 on Sampling and Analysis of Asbestos. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published March 2005. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D6480 - 99. DOI: AvailablefromU.S.GovernmentPrintingOfficeSuperintendentofDocuments,
10.1520/D6480-05. 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6480–05
3.2.1 amphibole asbestos—amphibole in an asbestiform 3.2.12 energy dispersive X-ray analysis—measurement of
4
habit (1)
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.