ASTM E1370-96(2008)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Air Sampling Strategies for Worker and Workplace Protection
Standard Guide for Air Sampling Strategies for Worker and Workplace Protection
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
To describe standard approaches used to determine air sampling strategies before any actual air sampling occurs.
For the majority of the purposes for sampling, and for the majority of the materials sampled, air sampling strategies are matters of choice. Air sampling in the workplace may be done for single or multiple purposes. Conflicts arise when a single air sampling strategy is expected to satisfy multiple purposes.
Limitations of cost, space, power requirements, equipment, analytical methods, and personnel requirements result in an optimum strategy for each purpose.
A strategy designed to satisfy multiple purposes must be a compromise among several alternatives, and will not be optimum for any one purpose.
The purpose or purposes of sampling should be explicitly stated before a sampling strategy is selected. Good practice, legal requirements, cost of the sampling program, and the usefulness of the results may be markedly different for different purposes of sampling.
This guide will not aid in the evaluation of air sampling data.
This guide is intended for those who are preparing to evaluate the work environment of a location by air sampling, or who wish to obtain an understanding of what information can be obtained by air sampling.
This work was commissioned by the committee on Occupational Health and Safety because there was no document available that drew together in one place the many diverse pieces of information about air sampling covered within it. This guide cannot be used as a stand-alone document to evaluate any given air borne contaminant.
SCOPE
1.1 To provide criteria to be used in defining air sampling strategies for workplace health and safety monitoring or evaluation, such as: duration, frequency, number, location, method, equipment, and timing.
1.2 When sampling is done to determine if the conditions in the workplace are in compliance with regulations of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), many of these criteria, for specific hazardous substances, are stated in 29 CFR 1910.
General Information
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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E1370 − 96(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Air Sampling Strategies for Worker and Workplace
Protection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1370; 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 4.2 For the majority of the purposes for sampling, and for
the majority of the materials sampled, air sampling strategies
1.1 To provide criteria to be used in defining air sampling
are matters of choice. Air sampling in the workplace may be
strategies for workplace health and safety monitoring or
done for single or multiple purposes. Conflicts arise when a
evaluation, such as: duration, frequency, number, location,
single air sampling strategy is expected to satisfy multiple
method, equipment, and timing.
purposes.
1.2 Whensamplingisdonetodetermineiftheconditionsin
4.2.1 Limitations of cost, space, power requirements,
the workplace are in compliance with regulations of the U.S.
equipment, analytical methods, and personnel requirements
OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA),many
result in an optimum strategy for each purpose.
ofthesecriteria,forspecifichazardoussubstances,arestatedin
4.2.2 Astrategy designed to satisfy multiple purposes must
29 CFR 1910.
be a compromise among several alternatives, and will not be
optimum for any one purpose.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2.3 The purpose or purposes of sampling should be
2.1 ASTM Standards: explicitly stated before a sampling strategy is selected. Good
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of practice,legalrequirements,costofthesamplingprogram,and
Atmospheres the usefulness of the results may be markedly different for
E1542Terminology Relating to Occupational Health and
different purposes of sampling.
Safety
4.3 This guide will not aid in the evaluation of air sampling
2.2 Other Documents:
data.
29CFR 1910
4.4 This guide is intended for those who are preparing to
evaluatetheworkenvironmentofalocationbyairsampling,or
3. Terminology
who wish to obtain an understanding of what information can
3.1 For definitions of terms relating to occupational health
be obtained by air sampling.
and safety, see Terminology E1542.
4.5 This work was commissioned by the committee on
3.2 For definitions of terms relating to atmospheric sam-
Occupational Health and Safety because there was no docu-
pling and analysis, see Terminology D1356.
ment available that drew together in one place the many
diverse pieces of information about air sampling covered
4. Significance and Use
withinit.Thisguidecannotbeusedasastand-alonedocument
to evaluate any given air borne contaminant.
4.1 To describe standard approaches used to determine air
sampling strategies before any actual air sampling occurs.
5. Sampling—General
5.1 Air sampling results are one of many sources of infor-
mation about health and safety of conditions in a workplace.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
Qualityand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air
Air sampling should not be used to the exclusion of other
Quality.
information.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1370–96 (2002).
5.2 Bioassay and biomonitoring results, clinical
DOI: 10.1520/E1370-96R08.
observations, quality and process control data, and material
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
balance studies, where applicable, should always be used in
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on conjunction with air sampling data.
the ASTM website.
5.3 Qualitative agreement among separately obtained
Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. sources of information should increase confidence in the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1370 − 96 (2008)
interpretation of workplace hazard assessments. Disagreement 6.11 Investigation of Complaints—To resolve doubts and
should be cause for concern, and provoke efforts to find out document the seriousness of reported hazardous releases.
why the disagreement occurred.
7. Where to Sample
6. Purposes of Sampling
7.1 Some of the factors affecting contaminant air concen-
trations include the velocity and direction of air movement,
6.1 Risk Evaluation—To estimate the expected, or
contaminant sinks, movement of personnel and equipment,
maximum, or both contaminant concentrations in the work-
source strength, and distance from the source. Small differ-
place. The information obtained is used to recommend worker
ences in location can have major effects.
protection requirements and to assess the probability of sensi-
7.1.1 The volume of air movement affects dilution of the
tization or hypersensitivity reactions.
source.Themoreairthatpassesthesourceperunitoftime,the
6.2 Exposure Estimation—To measure the actual concentra-
lower the plume concentration is likely to be.
tions of contaminant to which one particular worker is ex-
7.1.2 The direction of air movement determines areas of
posed. The concentrations measured may or may not be
heaviest exposure downwind, and may prevent any exposure
hazardous. In many cases, it is sufficient to show that any
upwind. Variation in wind direction determines the total area
exposures are less than half of applicable limits or standards.
exposed. Where there is slow air movement, eddy currents, or
air recirculation, there may be an increase in air concentration
6.3 Exposure Documentation—To provide the data base
necessary for epidemiological studies, when the existence of a with time.
7.1.3 Contaminants may be lost in a variety of sinks.
healthhazardispostulated.Itissimilartoexposureestimation,
but is focused more on job categories or job titles, rather than Aerosol particles are subject to gravitational settling; vapor
contaminants can condense on surfaces or aerosol particles;
on an individual worker, and requires the use of instruments
and methods that minimize the likelihood of obtaining results gases can be adsorbed on various surface and particles; and all
can react with each other, surfaces, or normal air components.
that are below the limits of detection.
7.1.4 Movement of personnel and equipment can change
6.4 Selection of Engineering Controls— To determine, for
local air flow patterns significantly. Movement tends to in-
contaminants that are not totally contained, the collection or
crease the number and size of eddy currents present, to
capture efficiencies of control devices necessary to bring
resuspend settled aerosols, and to deflect contaminants away
specific contaminant concentrations below applicable limits at
from local exhaust ventilation, such as hoods.
specific locations.
7.1.5 The rate and velocity of contaminant evolution also
6.5 Evaluation of Engineering Controls— To measure the
affects local air movement. Large or high velocity emissions
quantities of contaminants passing or escaping from a control
tend to overwhelm local airflow, while small or low velocity
device due to leaks, wear, damage, inadequate maintenance,
emissions have much less effect. Emission sources of high
overloading, or accidents.
concentration, or with compositions or temperatures, or both,
that differ greatly from the surrounding air, may resist mixing
6.6 Selection of Personal Protective Equipment—To deter-
with the air for considerable times and distances downwind.
mine the protection factor required for personal protective
7.1.6 Distance from the emission source is very important.
equipment in order for a worker to inhabit a contaminated or
Contaminants usually become more dilute with distance.
potentially contaminated area for a specific period of time.
Samples taken outdoors usually show more variation with
6.7 Selection of Bioassay or Biomonitoring Procedures, or
distance than those taken indoors due to greater variations in
Both—To determine the applicability of bioassay methods that
air temperature, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, and
estimateanindividual’stotaldoseorbodyburdenofamaterial
precipitationwashout.Outdoorsamplescanalsobedistributed
andbiomonitoringmethodsthatestimateanindividual’srateof
anddilutedoveramuchgreaterrangeofverticalandhorizontal
exposure or rate of uptake of a material.
distance. Even indoor concentrations may vary more than two
6.8 Compliance with Regulations and Standards—Toobtain orders of magnitude between the floor and ceiling, or between
the measurements required to satisfy legal requirements, or to
two locations more than a meter apart in any direction (1, 2).
determineifexposuresintheworkplacearebelowlegallimits. Samples taken from within the open face of local exhaust
ventilation, with the sample inlet facing into the moving air,
6.9 Source Identification—To single out the contribution of
will almost always indicate higher concentrations than the
each of many potential sources of contamination, based on its
sametypeofsampletakenatorbeyondtheedgeoftheopening
unique characteristics, such as emission fluctuations, wind
(3).
direction and variability, dispersion conditions, and the pres-
ence or absence of distinct trace materials. 7.2 It is essential that air samples be taken as close as
possible to the location of interest, as determined by the
6.10 Process Control—To ensure that the process being
purpose of sampling.
monitored is proceeding according to design, that valuable
7.2.1 Samples taken for the purpose of selection of engi-
materialsarenotbeinglostthroughleaksorsidereactions,and
neering controls, evaluation of engineering controls, source
that only those effluents expected, in the quantities expected,
arebeingproduced.Thistypeofsamplingcanbeusedtodetect
and halt process changes before hazardous air concentrations
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
are produced. this standard.
E1370 − 96 (2008)
identification, or process control should usually be taken 9. How to Sample
downwind of the source, and as close to it as possible.
9.1 How samples should be taken depends on the type of
7.2.2 Samples taken for the purpose of risk evaluation,
sampling instruments available, analytical methods employed,
exposure estimation, selection of personal protective
and the purpose of sampling. Other factors may also be
equipment, selection of bioassay or biomonitoring procedures,
important.
and investigation of complaints should be taken as close as
9.2 Sampling instruments can influence sampling strategy,
possible to the breathing zone of the person affected.
due to their size, space requirements, and mass. For example:
7.2.3 Where a worker’s activities influence the emission of
9.2.1 Vertical Elutriator—used in cotton dust sampling is
a contaminant, breathing zone samples will usually indicate
too large to be placed on the worker.
concentrationsuptooneorderofmagnitudehigherthannearby
fixed location samples (2, 4).
9.2.2 A Small Pump and Sample Collector— can be placed
ontheworker,buttheworkermayobjecttoitsnoiseandbulk.
7.2.4 If the worker’s activities do not influence emission,
then breathing zone samples will usually indicate concentra-
9.2.3 Dosimeter Badge—can be placed on the individual,
tionsthesameas,orlowerthan,nearbyfixedlocationsamplers
over the entire shift, with little or no complaint from nor
(1). The worker’s exposure will usually be lower than the
hinderance to the worker.
concentration indicated by fixed location samplers, if the
9.2.4 Detector Tubes—designed for taking very short term
worker is in and out of the contaminated area and does not
samples.
affect emissions.
9.2.5 Personal Sampling Pumps—designed for long term
7.2.5 When personal breathing zone samples are appropri-
sampling.
ate but do not provide adequate sensitivity, fixed or portable
NOTE 1—Some sampling instruments are capable of measuring more
samplers with higher sensitivities must be used and should be
than one contaminant simultaneously.
placed at about breathing height above the ground or floor.
9.3 Analytical methods affect strategy by placing limits on
7.3 Alarm samplers are a special case. They may produce
minimum and maximum collection durations for each sample.
false as well as true alarms.
Also, multiple contaminants may have to be sampled
7.3.1 Use of a large number of alarm samplers should be
separately, on different collection media. Even for materials
avoided.Whenused,theymustbeplacedwherethereisahigh
sampled in the same medium, separate samples may be
probability they will warn personnel of a contaminant or
necessary, due to different methods of desorption and extrac-
control equipment failure that results in hazardous air concen-
tion and different instrument conditions in the analytical
trations.
laboratory.
7.3.2 Agoodpracticeistoplaceindooralarmsamplersinor
9.4 The purpose of sampling will profoundly affect how
verynearexhaustventilation.Theymaynotsamplethehighest
concentrations at this location, but they are more likely to be sampling is approached.
exposed to some increase in concentration if a release occurs
9.4.1 Selection and evaluation of engineering controls, se-
anywhere in the room.
lection of respiratory protection or bioassay/biomonitoring
7.3.3 Outdoor alarm samplers should be placed far enough
techniques, or both, source identification, and process control
downwind of potential sources to allow mixing eddies to samples are not usually compared to health standards.
diffuse the plume enough to detect some concentration at the
9.4.2 Risk evaluation, exposure estimation, exposure
sampler.
documentation, and compliance samples are usually compared
to health standards, such as the OEL (Occupational Exposure
7.4 Samplestakenforthepurposeofcomplianceshoulduse
Limit), PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) or TLV (Threshold
the rules of good practice to the maximum extent possible,
Limit Value), and are usually best collected with personal
while complying with all specific requirements of the regula-
samplers.
tions. The user may also sample in additional locations, with
additional types of samplers, or with additional analytical
10. When to Sample
methods.
10.1 Air sampling should be done when required by law or
8. What to Sample
regulation.
8.1 For most purposes of sampling, the contaminant of
10.2 Air sampling should be done when there is a pro
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