ASTM D7886-14(2019)e1

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.
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Designation: D7886 − 14 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Practice for
Asbestos Exposure Assessments for Repetitive
Maintenance and Installation Tasks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7886; 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.
ε NOTE—Reapproved with editorial changes to Sections 2 and 3 in November 2019.
1. Scope the quantity of asbestos-containing materials disturbed is the
responsibility of the user.
1.1 This practice establishes procedures for assessing the
exposure of workers to airborne fibers who perform repetitive 1.6 This practice describes procedures for determining ex-
tasks of short duration where small quantities of asbestos- posure to airborne asbestos fibers. It does not purport to
containing materials must be disturbed in order to perform determine the risk of acquiring an asbestos-related disease for
maintenance and installation activities. anyindividual,tradeorworkpractice,nordoesitrepresentthat
compliance with any criterion constitutes a “safe” level of
1.2 This practice describes the facilities and equipment for
exposure that is free of such risk.
performing the tasks under controlled conditions for the
expresspurposeofcollectingpersonalairsamplestodetermine 1.7 Hazards—Asbestos fibers are acknowledged carcino-
worker exposure. The tasks are performed on actual asbestos- gens. Breathing asbestos fibers may result in disease of the
containing materials during Exposure Assessment tests and lungs including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
precautions are taken for personal protection and avoiding Precautions should be taken to avoid breathing airborne
contamination of adjacent spaces. asbestos particles from materials known or suspected to
contain asbestos. See 2.2 for regulatory requirements address-
1.3 This practice describes the air sample collection
ing asbestos.
procedures, the analytical methods for the air samples, and the
calculation of worker exposure including the use of statistical 1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
confidence limits. This practice differentiates between the test standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
to obtain exposure data and the current job to which the data conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
are applied, and describes the duties of the individuals who tion only and are not considered standard.
conduct these separate activities.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.4 The results are applied to the current job as defined
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
herein for determining worker protection such as respiratory
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
protection or for other purposes as determined by the compe-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tent person responsible for the current job. The results of the
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
tests shall not be applied to current jobs that are expected to
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
differ substantially from the test conditions in work practices,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
material properties or other factors that might affect the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
concentration of airborne asbestos fibers.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.5 This practice is not intended to be used for asbestos
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
abatement work for which the objective is the removal of
asbestos-containing materials. It is designed to assess expo-
2. Referenced Documents
sures for short-term repetitive tasks. Compliance with regula-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tory requirements as to the purpose of the work and limits on
E1368 Practice for Visual Inspection ofAsbestosAbatement
Projects
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.07 on Sampling, Analysis,
Management of Asbestos, and Other Microscopic Particles. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2019. Published January 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D7886 – 14. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7886-14R19E01. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D7886 − 14 (2019)
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of 3.2.4 clean room, n—an uncontaminated room serving as
Atmospheres the entrance to and exit from the shower of a decontamination
E2356 Practice for Comprehensive Building Asbestos Sur- area.
veys
3.2.5 competent person, n—one who is capable of identify-
E2394 Practice for Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair of
ing existing asbestos hazards in the workplace and who has the
Installed Asbestos Cement Products
authoritytotakepromptcorrectivemeasurestoeliminatethem,
D7712 Terminology for Sampling and Analysis of Asbestos
who certifies that an ExposureAssessment applies to a current
job, and who meets the qualifications in Annex A1.
2.2 Other Documents:
29 CFR 1926.1101 Occupational Exposure to Asbestos:
3.2.6 current job, n—a task to which a worker is assigned
Construction Industry Standard, August 10, 1994
that “closely resembles” the task for which the Exposure
40 CFR Part 763 Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan, Ap-
Assessment test was conducted in terms of work practices and
pendix C to Subpart E: Interim Final Rule, February 3,
similarity of asbestos-containing materials.
3.2.6.1 Discussion—The terms “closely resembles” and
EPA/600/R-93/116 Method for the Determination of Asbes-
“current job” appear in 29 CFR 1926.1101(f)(iii)(B).
tos in Bulk Building Materials, June 1993
3.2.7 decontamination area, n—an enclosed area adjacent
NIOSH Method 7400 Asbestos and Other Fibers by PCM,
and connected to the enclosure, consisting of an equipment
Issue 2, dated 15 August 1994, NIOSH Manual of
room, shower area, and clean room, which is used for entry to
Analytical Methods (NMAM), Fourth Edition,August 15,
the enclosure and for decontamination upon exiting.
3.2.8 eight-hour time-weighted-average (8-h TWA), n—a
NIOSH Method 7402 Asbestos by TEM, Issue 2, dated 15
measurement representing exposure averaged over an eight-
August 1994, NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods
5 hour time period.
(NMAM), Fourth Edition, 8/15/94
3.2.9 exposure assessment, n—determinationoftheairborne
fiber concentration to which a worker may be subjected as a
3. Terminology
result of performing a specific work practice with a specific
3.1 Definitions:
asbestos-containing material.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
3.2.10 high effıciency particulate air (HEPA) filter, n—the
Terminologies D1356 and D7712.
final stage filter on a negative pressure ventilation device or on
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
a vacuum cleaner, capable of trapping and retaining at least
3.2.1 asbestos, n—a collective term that describes a group
99.97 percent of all mono-dispersed particles of 0.3 µm in
of naturally occurring, inorganic, highly fibrous, silicate domi-
diameter. E1368
nated minerals, which are easily separated into long, thin,
3.2.11 negative pressure enclosure, n—a space, containing
flexible fibers when crushed or processed. D7712
the asbestos-containing materials on which the test is
3.2.2 asbestos-containing materials (ACM), n—materials performed, that is maintained under negative pressure by a
containing more than one percent asbestos. E1368 HEPA-filtered exhaust device to prevent leakage of contami-
nated air into the surrounding area.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Asbestos-containing materials include
3.2.12 permissible exposure limits (PELs), n—regulatory
surfacing material, thermal system insulation, and miscella-
limits to exposure to airborne asbestos fibers as defined below.
neous material. See Practice E1368 for definitions of these
3.2.12.1 time-weighted-average limit (TWA), n—eight-hour
terms.
time-weighted employee exposure limit such as 0.1 f/cc in
3.2.3 critical barriers, n—one or more layers of rigidly
accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1101.
supported plastic sheeting sealed over all openings into an
3.2.12.1.1 Discussion—Regulatory exposure limits in
asbestos work area (with the exception of make-up air provi-
other countries, or exposure limits for individual employers,
sions and means of entry and exit), designed to prevent
may differ from 3.2.12.1 and 3.2.12.2, and may be described as
airborne asbestos fibers or asbestos-contaminated water from
Occupational Exposure Limits or with other terminology.
migrating to an adjacent area. E1368
3.2.12.2 excursion limit (EL), n—thirty-minute employee
3.2.3.1 Discussion—For purposes of this practice, critical
exposure limit such as 1.0 f/cc in accordance with 29 CFR
barriers are intended to be used for the exposure assessment
1926.1101.
tests and not for the current job.
3.2.12.2.1 Discussion—See 3.2.12.1.1.
3.2.13 test conductor, n—the individual who plans the test
for the Exposure Assessment, directs the test operations and
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 200
takes air samples, who calculates worker exposures from the
Constitution Ave., Washington, DC 20210, http://www.osha.gov.
4 air sampling data, and prepares the Exposure Assessment
AvailablefromUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),William
Report.
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004,
http://www.epa.gov.
3.2.14 test supervisor, n—the individual who supervises the
Available from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
test for the Exposure Assessment, including operation of the
(NIOSH), a subset of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 1600
Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30333, http://www.cdc.gov. negative pressure enclosure.
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D7886 − 14 (2019)
3.2.15 test worker, n—the individual who performs the task 4.4.12 Taking bulk samples of suspect ACM,
under the direction of the test conductor and under the 4.4.13 Removing and patching acoustical ceiling texture
supervision of the test supervisor during the Exposure Assess- and fireproofing, and
ment test. 4.4.14 Removing and replacing insulation on pipes, tanks,
boilers, ducts, etc.
3.2.15.1 Discussion—The duties of the test conductor, test
supervisor and test worker are described in Section 6 and their
4.5 The Exposure Assessment is based on personal air
qualifications are described in Annex A1.
samples taken over a full or partial shift to determine an 8-h
TWA exposure and a short-term Excursion Limit exposure,
4. Significance and Use
which requires that two sampling pumps be worn.
4.1 Work practices, engineering controls, personal protec-
4.6 Samples are taken for comparison with criteria deter-
tive equipment and other precautions to minimize exposure to
mined by the user, including but not limited to the following:
airborne asbestos fibers have been extensively documented in
4.6.1 Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), including the
regulations, training manuals and other publications. The work
8-h TWA of 0.1 f/cc and the 30-min EL of 1.0 f/cc, or to
described in these publications ranges from large-scale abate-
establish engineering controls, respiratory and personal
ment projects to minor disturbances and clean-up. Practices
protection, and other requirements in accordance with 29 CFR
E1368 and E2394 address these issues within the context of
1926.1101;
their subject matter.
NOTE 1—These OSHA PELs will be used for illustration purposes in
4.2 This practice applies to specific types of asbestos work
this practice.
where the same task is performed by various persons without
4.6.2 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
substantial deviation from a documented procedure and with
(NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit of 0.1 f/cc;
material containing the same type and similar content of
4.6.3 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hy-
asbestos fiber. The exposure from such operations can be 6 7
gienists (ACGIH ) Threshold Limit Value (TLV ) of 0.1 f/cc
expectedtoremainfairlyconsistentaslongastheseparameters
for respirable fibers;
do not vary substantially and the workers have received the
4.6.4 Employee exposure limits imposed by other govern-
required training to perform the task.
mental jurisdictions;
4.3 Because of the variability in field conditions under 4.6.5 Employee exposure limits to establish engineering
which large-scale work such as asbestos abatement is
controls,respiratoryandpersonalprotection,andotherrequire-
performed, the opportunity to collect sufficient personal air ments of an employer’s policy or the requirements of a
samples under conditions similar enough to establish statistical
specification or procedure that applies to the current job; and
confidence can be questioned. For this reason, this practice 4.6.6 Non-occupational exposure limits for building occu-
does not address the collection of such samples and their use
pants and other affected persons.
for determining exposure data to apply on other projects. Users
4.7 Compliance with the PELs and other criteria is typically
with such requirements are referred to the applicable regula-
determined by analyzing the air samples using NIOSH Method
tions for guidance.
7400 for Phase Contrast Microscopy, which reports all fibers
4.4 There are many tasks, however, that are of short meeting the counting criteria and does not distinguish between
duration and amenable to testing under controlled conditions asbestos and non-asbestos fibers. The Exposure Assessment
for assessing worker exposure. These tasks are performed by can be based on analysis using NIOSH Method 7402 for
equipment installers and other tradesmen in the course of their Transmission Electron Microscopy, which identifies asbestos
ordinarydutiesinwhatthispracticereferstoasthecurrentjob. fibers and adjusts the fiber count from a NIOSH Method 7400
The following list of potential tasks where ACMs can be analysis.
disturbed is by no means inclusive and the feasibility of
4.8 An important aspect of an Exposure Assessment is
conducting an ExposureAssessment is the responsibility of the
determining a margin of safety between the exposures mea-
user:
sured during the test and criteria for respiratory protection,
4.4.1 Drilling holes through asbestos floor tile and sheet
regulatory compliance or other purposes. This practice there-
vinyl flooring,
fore includes a statistical test (Confidence Factor) for the
4.4.2 Removing small pieces of floor tile and sheet vinyl
exposure based on the air sample results from a test as
flooring to expose the substrate,
described in Section 7.
4.4.3 Drilling holes through asbestos-cement roofing,
4.9 The responsibility for comparing the results of the test
siding, ceiling panels, ducts, and pipes,
performed for the Exposure Assessment is given to the
4.4.4 Drilling and cutting holes in wallboard,
competent person, usually but not necessarily someone in a
4.4.5 Drilling holes in ceiling tiles,
supervisory capacity, who compares the conditions under
4.4.6 Removing and replacing ceiling tiles,
4.4.7 Patching roofing materials,
4.4.8 Removing window putty and caulking,
ACGHI is a trademark of American Conference of Governmental Industrial
4.4.9 Cleaning asbestos-lined or contaminated ducts,
Hygienists, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.
4.4.10 Removing gaskets and packing, 7
TLV is a trademark of American Conference of Governmental Industrial
4.4.11 Removing and installing locksets in fire doors, Hygienists, Inc., Cincinnati, OH.
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D7886 − 14 (2019)
which the test was performed to those for the current job to 6.2 The test plan should describe the work practice to be
which a worker has been assigned. If the work practices and followed and the intervals to repeat the task; for example, drill
asbestos-containing materials are sufficiently similar in the a hole through the floor tile and clean up the debris, then repeat
judgment of the competent person, and the worker has been the task every ten minutes for the duration of the test. The test
trained on the work practice using simulated asbestos- plan should specify the duration of each test and the number of
containing materials, the competent person certifies that the tests to be conducted during one shift. To determine compli-
ExposureAssessment applies to the current job for purposes of ance with the OSHA PELs a minimum of three 90-min or
respiratory protection and other precautions. A form is pro- 120-mintestsarerequiredandafourthtestmaybeaddedatthe
vided in Appendix X1 for this purpose. discretion of the test conductor to obtain sufficient data for
statistical confidence.
NOTE 2—OSHA regulations in 29 CFR 1926.1101 permit an employer
to dispense with respiratory protection and other precautions on the basis
6.3 For tests performed inside a building the negative
of an Exposure Assessment (sometimes called a Negative Exposure
pressure enclosure is set up in a room or area with the required
Assessment)oronthebasisof“objectivedata.”Thispracticedoesnotuse
type of asbestos-containing materials in sufficient amounts for
the terms “Negative Exposure Assessment” and “objective data,” and the
purposes of the test. This might consist of a floor covered with
responsibility for elimination of protective measures based on an Expo-
sure Assessment remains with the competent person. 29 CFR 1926.1101
vinyl asbestos tile through which holes will be drilled, or
requires a “high degree of certainty” that the PELs will not be exceeded,
asbestos-cement panels on a wall in which holes for electrical
but does not define this parameter.
outlets will be cut. A space that is scheduled for asbestos
abatement, or which will not be functionally compromised by
5. Qualifications
the test, serves well as a test location. It may be necessary to
5.1 The Exposure Assessment test and application of its
bring in asbestos-containing materials and attach them to a
results are performed by the test conductor, test supervisor test
temporary fixture constructed for purposes of the test. Surfaces
workerandcompetentpersonwhomustmeetthequalifications
that are not part of the test shall be covered with 6-mil plastic
in Annex A1, including but not limited to applicable training
and critical barriers established between the enclosure and
requirements set forth in the Model Accreditation Plan and
occupiedareasasnecessary.Anyasbestos-containingmaterials
OSHA regulations.
inside the enclosure that may release airborne fibers other than
those being tested must be isolated during the test. Emergency
5.2 It is not expected that the competent person who applies
egress from the enclosure shall be indicated.
the ExposureAssessment test results to the current job will act
in the capacity of test conductor for the tests, but the employer,
NOTE 3—If the asbestos type and content of the material has not been
a trade association or other affected organization may arrange
previously determined, bulk samples shall be collected and analyzed prior
for the tests to be done.
to conducting the tests. Bulk samples should be collected and analyzed
according to Practice E2356 and EPA/600/R-93/116.
5.3 Regulations of the country, state or local jurisdiction in
6.4 Exhausting air from the enclosure to maintain it under
which the tests are conducted and the current job is performed
negative pressure scavenges airborne fibers and reduces their
may also apply and are the responsibility of the user to
concentration inside the enclosure. While this is desirable for
determine and comply with.
an abatement project, it could lead to artificially low measure-
ments in an ExposureAssessment test that is meant to simulate
6. Exposure Assessment Testing
fiber concentrations in relatively still air. Rather than maintain
6.1 The Exposure Assessment test is conducted at a site
the usual four air changes per hour and 0.02 inches of water
where conditions can be controlled, usually in a negative
8 pressure differential, the rate of exhaust is set just high enough
pressure enclosure inside of a building. For materials installed
tomaketheplasticsheetingandflapsbulgeinwardasevidence
outside of a building, the test should be conducted away from
of negative pressure inside the enclosure. The ventilation rate
windows and ventilation intakes. Because the Exposure As-
may be increased before the first test, between tests and at the
sessment is done without knowing if exposures exceed the
conclusion of testing to scavenge airborne fibers inside the
TWA or EL, it must be assumed for purposes of the test that
enclosure. The test conductor may adjust the ventilation
these limits will be exceeded and appropriate precautions
conditions to simulate those expected on the current job if such
taken. This means that the test worker and test conductor must
conditions can be determined.
wear respirators and protective clothing. The test supervisor
may not be the person who performs the testing because he
6.5 The test conductor personally directs the testing
must remain outside the negative pressure enclosure during the
...