ASTM D3614-97
(Guide)Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
Standard Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those responsible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space, and source emission (stack gas) atmospheres.
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities, resources, and operations which by their selection and control affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable performance may be attained and sustained. Also, this guide presents recommendations for the correction of unacceptable performance.
1.4 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: D 3614 – 97
Standard Guide for
Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres and Emissions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3614; 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.
INTRODUCTION
The utilization of well tested and uniform laboratory practices is essential to the production of
reliable and defensible environmental data whose validity can be demonstrated at a later date through
the use of written field and laboratory records. This document is intended to provide general guidelines
for the elements of laboratory practices that are considered to be basic to the performance of
laboratories that provide services in the sampling and analysis of atmospheres and emissions. This
document is intended to stimulate an awareness of good laboratory and field practices.
1. Scope Applicable Test Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
D 3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-
1.1 This guide covers criteria to be used by those respon-
dures
sible for the selection, evaluation, operation, and control of
E 548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating
laboratory organizations engaged in sampling and analysis of
Laboratory Competence
environmental atmospheres, including ambient, work space,
and source emissions (stack gases), as well as atmospheric
3. Terminology
deposition samples.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
1.2 This guide presents features of organizations, facilities,
see Terminology D 1356.
resources, and operations which by their selection and control
3.2 Other terms that are applicable to this guide have been
affect the reliability and credibility of the data generated.
defined in Guide E 548 and are appended to this document as
1.3 This guide presents the criteria for the selection and
Annex A1.
control of the features listed in 1.2 so that acceptable perfor-
mance may be attained and sustained. Also, this guide presents
4. Summary of Guide
recommendations for the correction of unacceptable perfor-
4.1 This guide describes the criteria, practices, and recom-
mance.
mendations for the physical resources, data validation, and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
mode of operation of the laboratory.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Data on the composition and characteristics of environ-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mental atmospheres, such as ambient air, work space air, and
stack gas emissions, are frequently used to evaluate the health
2. Referenced Documents
and safety of humans. Data on the composition of atmospheric
2.1 ASTM Standards:
deposition samples are often used for environmental impact
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
2 assessment.
Atmospheres
5.2 These data are frequently used to ascertain compliance
D 1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
2 with regulatory statutes that place limits on acceptable com-
Atmosphere
positions and characteristics of these atmospheres.
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
5.3 Laboratories that produce environmental sampling and
analysis data and those who have the responsibility of selecting
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-22 on Sampling and
a laboratory to perform air quality studies need to know what
Analysis of Atmospheres, and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.01
on Quality Control.
Current edition approved Nov. 10, 1997. Published January 1998. Originally
published as D 3614 – 77. Last previous edition D 3614 – 90. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
2 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 3614
criteria, practices, and recommendations have been accepted change of procedures.
by consensus within this field of endeavor. 6.1.4 Data Recording—The laboratory should keep records
5.4 Demonstration and documentation by a laboratory that of submitted samples and completed analyses in a manner that
there is judicious selection and control of organizational provides for the retrievability, preservation and traceability of
factors, facilities, resources, and operations enhance the reli- the sample source, the procedures used, and the person or
ability of the data produced and promote the acceptance of persons responsible for the sampling and analysis.
these data. 6.1.4.1 All laboratory data sheets should be dated and
signed by the analyst.
6. Responsibilities and Duties of the Laboratory
6.1.4.2 A policy for the use of computers for data acquisi-
6.1 The purpose of the laboratory is to provide information
tion, archiving, and mathematical calculations should be imple-
that is factual, accurate, reliable, and adequate for its purpose.
mented.
The procedure by which this is to be achieved is by the
6.1.5 Data Validation—The laboratory should keep records
effective administration of a quality assurance (QA) plan by the
of analytical performance by means of audit procedures,
management of the organization. The elements of a quality
reference sample programs, and interlaboratory tests. Where
assurance plan are described in 6.1.1-6.1.6.1.
applicable, quality control charts should be used to report
6.1.1 Organization—A table of organization which indi-
results from these validation activities. Quality control proce-
cates the organizational structure and the lines of authority,
dures found in most current methods should be followed. (1)
areas of responsibility, and job descriptions should be avail-
6.1.6 Deficiency Correction—The organizational system
able. Key personnel, including their workplace locations and
should provide the authority and the responsibility for a
phone numbers, should be identified for each organizational
designated person or persons to investigate out of control
entity. Separate organizational charts for subcontractors might
procedures and to inform the laboratory management of the
also be needed. QA managers should be identified along with
problems that occur. This is often the responsibility of the QA
their relationships to other project personnel. The QA manag-
manager.
ers should be organizationally independent of project manage-
6.1.6.1 A current log should be maintained of such deficien-
ment so that the risk of conflict of interest is minimized.
cies and the action taken to correct them.
6.1.1.1 Human Resources—The key personnel of the orga-
7. Organization
nization should be described by means of personal résumés
presenting the applicable education and work experience
7.1 The production of reliable data is dependent upon the
relative to his or her position in the table of organization and
conscientious effort of everyone who has any involvement with
the requirements of that position.
the service. Therefore, it is important that each member of the
6.1.1.2 Physical Resources—The laboratory facilities
organization have a clear-cut understanding of his or her duties
should provide a working environment that is clean, air-
and responsibilities, and their relationship to the total effort.
conditioned, heated, well-lighted, and safe. The instrumenta-
The management of the laboratory has a prime responsibility in
tion and equipment should be appropriate to the operational
defining the policy goals in relation to the quality of perfor-
needs of the laboratory.
mance and assigning the specific areas of responsibility to the
6.1.2 Methodology—Written procedures should be readily
individual. The human resources that are required for the
available to all personnel.
operation of the laboratory will vary with the specific functions
6.1.2.1 Sample collection and handling procedures, and
that are to be served, but the minimum personnel and their
storage requirements should be written.
qualifications should generally be as follows:
6.1.2.2 Calibration and standardization procedures should
7.2 Human Resources (2)
be written.
7.2.1 The Director—The laboratory director should be a
6.1.2.3 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and analyti-
full-time employee of the organization that operates the labo-
cal methods should be written.
ratory. He or she should have an earned baccalaureate degree in
6.1.2.4 There should be a document control system to assure
science or engineering from an accredited college or university
that the written procedures are current and complete.
or the equivalent (see Note 1) with a minimum of 5 years
6.1.2.5 All of the above should be periodically subjected to
experience in sampling and analysis of atmospheres or in a
performance and system audits.
related field. The director should have the following responsi-
6.1.3 Metrology Systems—All systems for making measure-
bilities:
ments should have the following features:
7.2.1.1 Selection and approval of methods of sampling and
6.1.3.1 Calibration and standardization procedures, includ-
analysis,
ing a description of a procedure for establishing traceability,
7.2.1.2 Implementation of a quality assurance program to
description of calibration standards, and a schedule for cali-
describe the quality of technical data,
bration,
7.2.1.3 Development of standards of performance and
6.1.3.2 Preventative maintenance procedures including a
evaluation of personnel by these standards, and
schedule for maintenance intervals and documentation of their
7.2.1.4 Training of personnel.
proper completion, and
6.1.3.3 Records of modification of configuration that may
occur in any measurement system due to repair and servicing 5
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the references at the end of this
of equipment, replacement of components or reagents, or standard.
D 3614
NOTE 1—The equivalent requirement is for the purpose of recognizing
tory environment should be compared against samples that
those persons who may have a comparable educational background that
have been exposed to the laboratory environment.
has been obtained through recognized and qualified educational resources
7.3.5 In order for the hoods to be effective in removing
but does not result in the award of a baccalaureate degree. The use of this
noxious, harmful, or interfering fumes and aerosols from the
term will necessarily require the judgement of the user of this guide.
laboratory environment, the hoods must be operating at their
Certification by acknowledged professional boards is encouraged.
designed capacity. They should not be located in areas of
7.2.2 The Laboratory Supervisor—The laboratory supervi-
countervailing winds, such as between two open doors. Under
sor should be a full time employee of the organization that
usual operating conditions, hoods will require from 0.0236
operates the laboratory, and should have a minimum of an
3 3 2 3
m /s to 0.059 m /s (50–125 ft /min) per 0.093 m of face area.
earned baccalaureate degree in science or engineering from an
Face velocities should be checked routinely by qualified
accredited college, university, or the equivalent (see Note 1),
personnel for compliance with specifications.
and a minium of one year analytical responsibility.
7.3.5.1 For a more detailed treatment of ventilation consult
7.2.3 The Senior Staff—The senior staff of the laboratory
Ref. (3).
should conduct the difficult and nonroutine sampling and
7.3.6 In order to minimize the generation of noxious,
analyses and should directly supervise the technical staff. Each
harmful, or interfering fumes in the laboratory environment,
member of the senior staff should have a baccalaureate degree
potentially troublesome samples and reagents should be
in science or engineering from an accredited college or
handled in properly operating hoods. Sinks should not be used
university or the equivalent (see Note 1).
for some sample or reagent disposal. The disposal area should
7.2.4 The Technical Staff—The technical staff will normally
be well separated from the laboratory area and meet applicable
consist of qualified personnel who conduct routine sampling
safety standards. The specific disposal methods are not covered
and analyses and may also include highly trained and qualified
in this guide. In some standards the disposal method for the
people who specialize in difficult procedures.
reagent and sample will be defined. When this information is
7.2.4.1 Each member of the technical staff should have
not supplied in the standard, useful information may be
formal, on-the-job training in the analyses and areas of
obtained from guides to control hazardous chemical spills, and
assigned responsibility. Training should be provided on-site,
manuals of laboratory safety which are available from various
and in many cases should be supplemented by short courses
laboratory supply firms (see Ref. (4)). Disposal to the munici-
offered by equipment manufacturers, professional organiza-
pal sewers should be in accordance with applicable local, state,
tions, universities, or other qualified training facilities.
and federal regulations.
7.2.4.2 After appropriate training, the staff member must
7.3.7 The mix-up of samples and the cross-contamination
demonstrate acceptable results in the analysis of an applicable
hazards are more easily avoided when there is adequate bench
quality control or performance evaluation sample.
space or working area per analyst. As a general guideline there
7.2.5 The Support Staff—The support staff will normally
should be 150 to 300 ft per analyst or 12 to 24 lineal ft of
consist of personnel who perform routine services such as:
bench space per analyst. The space requirement per analyst
cleaning glassware, transportation and handling samples and
depends upon the equipment or apparatus that is being used,
equipment, maintenance of sampling equipment, and clerical
the number of samples the analyst is expected to handle at any
and secretarial services.
one time, and the number of operations that are to be
7.2.5.1 Each member of the support staff should have
performed by a single analyst. The laboratory may also have a
sufficient on-the-job training for his or her level of responsi-
requirement for specialized facilities, such as a perchloric acid
bility as defined by the laboratory director.
hood. The lighting level may vary from 50 to 100 fc (538 to
7.
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