1. Scope

1.1 This test method is an analytical procedure using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the determination of the concentration of asbestos structures in ambient atmospheres and includes measurement of the dimension of structures and of the asbestos fibers found in the structures from which aspect ratios are calculated.

1.1.1 This test method allows determination of the type(s) of asbestos fibers present.

1.1.2 This test method cannot always discriminate between individual fibers of the asbestos and non-asbestos analogues of the same amphibole mineral.

1.2 This test method is suitable for determination of asbestos in both ambient (outdoor) and building atmospheres.

1.2.1 This test method is defined for polycarbonate capillary-pore filters or cellulose ester (either mixed esters of cellulose or cellulose nitrate) filters through which a known volume of air has been drawn and for blank filters.

1.3 The upper range of concentrations that can be determined by this test method is 7000 s/mm ² . The air concentration represented by this value is a function of the volume of air sampled.

1.3.1 There is no lower limit to the dimensions of asbestos fibers that can be detected. In practice, microscopists vary in their ability to detect very small asbestos fibers. Therefore, a minimum length of 0.5 m has been defined as the shortest fiber to be incorporated in the reported results.

1.4 The direct analytical method cannot be used if the general particulate matter loading of the sample collection filter as analyzed exceeds approximately 10 % coverage of the collection filter by particulate matter.

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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere

D4483 Practice for Evaluating Precision for Test Method Standards in the Rubber and Carbon Black Manufacturing Industries

E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

ISO Standard

Keywords

air; ambient air; amphibole; asbestos; chrysotile; electron microscopy; indoor atmospheres; microscopy; Poisson frequency distribution; Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); Airborne asbestos by direct transfer TEM; Ambient air/atmospheric analysis; Amphibole asbestos; Asbestos; Asbestos fiber; Chrysotile asbestos fiber; ED/EDXA methods; Indoor air analysis; Microscopic examination--atmospheric;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.040.01 (Air quality in general)

DOI: 10.1520/D6281-04

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