Standard Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This microvacuum sampling and indirect analysis method is used for the general testing of non-airborne dust samples for asbestos. It is used to assist in the evaluation of dust that may be found on surfaces in buildings such as ceiling tiles, shelving, electrical components, duct work, carpet, etc. This test method provides an index of the surface loading of asbestos structures in the dust per unit area analyzed as derived from a quantitative TEM analysis.
5.1.1 This test method does not describe procedures or techniques required to evaluate 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, no relationship has been established between asbestos-containing dust as measured by this test method and potential human exposure to airborne asbestos. Accordingly, the users should consider other available information in their interpretation of the data obtained from this test method.
This definition of dust accepts all particles small enough to pass through a 1 mm (No. 18) screen. Thus, a single, large asbestos containing particle(s) (from the large end of the particle size distribution) dispersed during sample preparation may result in anomalously large asbestos surface loading results in the TEM analyses of that sample. It is, therefore, recommended that multiple independent samples are secured from the same area, and that a minimum of three samples be analyzed by the entire procedure.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to ( a) identify asbestos in dust and (b) provide an estimate of the surface loading of asbestos in the sampled dust reported as the number of asbestos structures per unit area of sampled surface.
1.1.1 If an estimate of the asbestos mass is to be determined, the user is referred to Test Method D 5756.
1.2 This test method describes the equipment and procedures necessary for sampling, by a microvacuum technique, non-airborne dust for levels of asbestos structures. The non-airborne sample is collected inside a standard filter membrane cassette from the sampling of a surface area for dust which may contain asbestos.
1.2.1 This procedure uses a microvacuuming sampling technique. The collection efficiency of this technique is unknown and will vary among substrates. Properties influencing collection efficiency include surface texture, adhesiveness, electrostatic properties and other factors.
1.3 Asbestos identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is based on morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Some information about structure size is also determined.
1.4 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.
1.4.1 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 that can be more accurately quantified by transmission electron microscopy. 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 fibers.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
09-Apr-2003
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
ASTM D5755-03 - Standard Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading
English language
13 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

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:D5755–03
Standard Test Method for
Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by
Transmission Electron Microscopy for Asbestos Structure
1
Number Surface Loading
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5755; 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 asbestos as sampled. More specifically, the procedure de-
scribed neither creates nor destroys asbestos, but it may alter
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to (a) identify
the physical form of the mineral fibers.
asbestos in dust and (b) provide an estimate of the surface
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
loadingofasbestosinthesampleddustreportedasthenumber
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
of asbestos structures per unit area of sampled surface.
only.
1.1.1 Ifanestimateoftheasbestosmassistobedetermined,
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the user is referred to Test Method D5756.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2 This test method describes the equipment and proce-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
dures necessary for sampling, by a microvacuum technique,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
non-airborne dust for levels of asbestos structures. The non-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
airborne sample is collected inside a standard filter membrane
cassettefromthesamplingofasurfaceareafordustwhichmay
2. Referenced Documents
contain asbestos.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.1 Thisprocedureusesamicrovacuumingsamplingtech-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
nique. The collection efficiency of this technique is unknown
D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
and will vary among substrates. Properties influencing collec-
D3670 Guide for Determination of Precision and Bias of
tion efficiency include surface texture, adhesiveness, electro-
Methods of Committee D22
static properties and other factors.
D5756 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indi-
1.3 Asbestosidentifiedbytransmissionelectronmicroscopy
rect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Micros-
(TEM) is based on morphology, selected area electron diffrac-
copy for Asbestos Mass Surface Loading
tion (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA).
D6620 Practice for Asbestos Detection Limit Based on
Some information about structure size is also determined.
Counts
1.4 This test method is generally applicable for an estimate
of the surface loading of asbestos structures starting from
3. Terminology
approximately 1000 asbestos structures per square centimetre.
3.1 Definitions:
1.4.1 Theprocedureoutlinedinthistestmethodemploysan
3.1.1 asbestiform—a special type of fibrous habit in which
indirectsamplepreparationtechnique.Itisintendedtodisperse
the fibers are separable into thinner fibers and ultimately into
aggregated asbestos into fundamental fibrils, fiber bundles,
fibrils. This habit accounts for greater flexibility and higher
clusters, or matrices that can be more accurately quantified by
tensilestrengththanotherhabitsofthesamemineral.Formore
transmission electron microscopy. However, as with all indi-
3
information on asbestiform mineralogy, see Refs (1), (2) and
rect sample preparation techniques, the asbestos observed for
(3).
quantification may not represent the physical form of the
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 andAnalysis ofAtmospheres 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 April 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5755-02. DOI: Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
10.1520/D5755-03. this test method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5755–03
3.1.2 asbestos—a collective term that describes a group of concealed by a single particle or connected group of non-
naturally occurring, inorganic, highly fibrous, silicate domi- fibrous particles. The exposed fiber must meet the fiber
nated minerals, which are easily separated into long, thin, definition (see 3.2.6).
flexible fibers when crus
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.