ASTM D4490-23

Standard Practice for the Use of Detector Tubes in the Measurement of Toxic Gases and Vapors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, in 29 CFR 1910, designates that certain gases and vapors must not be present in workplace atmospheres at concentrations above specific values.  
5.2 This practice will provide a means for the determination of airborne concentrations of certain gases and vapors given in 29 CFR 1910.  
5.3 A partial list of chemicals for which this practice is applicable is presented in Annex A1.  
5.4 This practice also provides for the sampling of gaseous atmospheres to be used for process control or other purposes (2, 24-23).  
5.5 Advantages of the Detector Tube Method:  
5.5.1 As the detector tube method requires no chemical analyzers, external reagents, etc., advance preparations are not needed; detector tubes are always ready for use.  
5.5.2 The detector tube method is well-suited for use at the work site because it is small, lightweight, and needs only a small sample volume to determine the concentration of gas or vapor in a sample.  
5.5.3 The operating procedures are simple.  
5.5.4 The results of measurements are available in just minutes, so fast action can be taken when needed.  
5.5.5 Where no electrical power source is required, detector tubes can be used even when flammable gases are present.  
5.5.6 Different types of detector tubes are available for different gases and measuring ranges, from 0.01 ppm to more than 10 %, depending on analyte and tube design, making the system flexible tor different sampling situations.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the detection and measurement of concentrations of toxic gases or vapors using detector tubes  (1, 2).2 A list of some of the gases and vapors that can be detected by this practice and their measurement ranges are provided in Annex A1. This list is given as a guide and should be considered neither absolute nor complete.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2023
• ICS: 13.320 - Alarm and warning systems
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.04 - Workplace Air Quality

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1356-20a - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1356-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4490 − 23
Standard Practice for
the Use of Detector Tubes in the Measurement of Toxic
1
Gases and Vapors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4490; 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 2.2 Other Documents:
29 CFR 1910 Federal Occupational Safety and Health
1.1 This practice covers the detection and measurement of
4
Standard Title 29
concentrations of toxic gases or vapors using detector tubes (1,
ISO 13137 Workplace Atmospheres – Pumps for Personal
2
2). A list of some of the gases and vapors that can be detected
Sampling of Chemical and Biological Agents – Require-
by this practice and their measurement ranges are provided in
5
ments and Test Methods
Annex A1. This list is given as a guide and should be
considered neither absolute nor complete.
3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this method, refer to
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Terminology D1356.
standard.
4. Summary of Practice (3)
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Detector tubes may be used for either short-term sam-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
pling (grab sampling; 1 min to 10 min typically) or long term
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sampling (actively or passively; 1 h to 8 h) of atmospheres
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
containing toxic gases or vapors.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1.1 Short-Term Sampling (Grab Sampling) (4-18)—A
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
given volume of air (specified by the manufacturer) is pulled
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
through the tube by a pump also specified by the manufacturer
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
in a time period on the order of 1 min to 10 min. The
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
length-of-stain is related to the amount of air sampled and the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
contaminant concentration during the sample period. For most
detector tubes the concentration is determined by interpreting
2. Referenced Documents the length of color change compared to the calibration curve
3 affixed to the glass tube. There are some detector tubes which
2.1 ASTM Standards:
rely on the interpretation of the intensity of a color change
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
compared to a color standard or standards provided by the
Atmospheres
manufacturers. The resultant color reaction may change over
D5337 Practice for Flow Rate Adjustment of Personal Sam-
time and must be evaluated immediately by the user.
pling Pumps
4.1.2 Long-Term Active Sampling (Long-Term Tubes) (19-
22)—A sample is pulled through the detector tube at a slow,
constant flow rate specified by the manufacturer by a pump
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
over a 1 h to 8 h period. The length of color change and the
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air Quality.
sampling time are used to determine the time weighted average
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published April 2023. Originally
(TWA) concentration of the contaminant.
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D4490 – 96 (2016).
DOI: 10.1520/D4490-23.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this practice.
3 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1000 Subpart 2 and Part 1926.55
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Subpart D.
5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4490 − 23
4.1.3 Length-of-Stain Dosimeter Tubes (23)—The contami- to be tested while the operator is in a safer area (for example,
nant molecules move into the tube
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4490 − 96 (Reapproved 2016) D4490 − 23
Standard Practice for
Measuring the Concentration of Toxic Gases or Vapors
Using Detector TubesUse of Detector Tubes in the
1
Measurement of Toxic Gases and Vapors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4490; 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
2
1.1 This practice covers the detection and measurement of concentrations of toxic gases or vapors using detector tubes (1, 2). A
list of some of the gases and vapors that can be detected by this practice, their 1994–95 TLV values recommended by the ACGIH,
practice and their measurement ranges are provided in Annex A1. This list is given as a guide and should be considered neither
absolute nor complete.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D5337 Practice for Flow Rate Adjustment of Personal Sampling Pumps
2.2 Other Document:Documents:
4
29 CFR 1910 Federal Occupational Safety and Health Standard Title 29
ISO 13137 Workplace Atmospheres – Pumps for Personal Sampling of Chemical and Biological Agents – Requirements and
5
Test Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this method, refer to Terminology D1356.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air Quality.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016March 1, 2023. Published October 2016April 2023. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
D4490 – 96 (2011).(2016). DOI: 10.1520/D4490-96R16.10.1520/D4490-23.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this practice.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
4
Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1000 Subpart 2 and Part 1926.55 Subpart D.
5
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4490 − 23
4. Summary of Practice (3)
4.1 Detector tubes may be used for either short-term sampling (grab sampling; 11 min to 10 min typically) or long term sampling
(actively or passively; 11 h to 8 h) of atmospheres containing toxic gases or vapors.
4.1.1 Short-Term Sampling (Grab Sampling) (4-18)—A given volume of air (specified by the manufacturer) is pulled through the
tube by a mechanical pump. If the substance for which the detector tube was designed is present, the indicator chemical in the tube
will change color (stain). The concentration of the gas or vapor may be estimated by either (pump also specified by the
manufacturer in a time period on the order of 1 min to 10 min. The length-of-stain is related to the amount of air sampled and the
contaminant concentration during the sample period. For most detector tubes the concentration is determined by interpreting a) the
length-of-stain compared to a calibration chart, or (the length of color change compared to the calibration curve affixed tob) the
intensity of the the glass tube. There are some detector tubes which rely on the interpretation of the intensity of a color change
compared to a set of standards
...