ASTM E2144-21

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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: E2144 − 11 (Reapproved 2016) E2144 − 21 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Personal Sampling and Analysis of Endotoxin in
Metalworking Fluid Aerosols in Workplace Atmospheres
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2144; 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 Scope*
1.1 This practice covers quantitative methods for the personal sampling and determination of bacterial endotoxin concentrations
in poly-disperse metalworking fluid aerosols in workplace atmospheres. Users should have fundamental knowledge of
microbiological techniques and endotoxin testing.
1.2 Users of this practice may obtain personal or area exposure data of endotoxin in metalworking fluid aerosols, either on a
short-term or full-shift basis in workplace atmospheres.
1.3 This practice gives an estimate of the endotoxin concentration of the sampled atmosphere.
1.4 This practice seeks to minimize inter laboratory interlaboratory variation but does not ensure uniformity of results.
1.5 It is anticipated that this practice will facilitate inter laboratory interlaboratory comparisons of airborne endotoxin data from
metalworking fluid atmospheres, particularly metal removal fluid atmospheres, by providing a basis for endotoxin sampling,
extraction, and analytical methods.
1.6 In 1997, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) empanelled a Standards Advisory Committee to make
recommendations to the Administration regarding measures that the Administration could take to improve the health of workers
exposed to metalworking fluids. A report to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA was submitted in July,July 1999.
Subcommittee E34.50 believes that the user community would benefit significantly if a standard method was developed to give
the community guidance on a methodology for the sampling and analysis of personal airborne endotoxin exposure assessments in
facilities using water-miscible metal removal fluids, based on the LAL assay or other endotoxin detection technologies as they
become available.
1.7 This practice does not attempt to set or imply limits for personal exposure to endotoxin in metalworking fluid aerosols in
workplace environments.
1.8 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E34 on Occupational Health and Safety and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E34.50 on Health
and Safety Standards for Metal Working Fluids.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016Nov. 1, 2021. Published October 2016December 2021. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20112016
as E2144 - 11.E2144 – 11 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/E2144-11R16.10.1520/E2144-21.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2144 − 21
1.9 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.10 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
D2881 Classification for Metalworking Fluids and Related Materials
D4840 Guide for Sample Chain-of-Custody Procedures
D5337 Practice for Flow Rate Adjustment of Personal Sampling Pumps
D6629 Guide for Selection of Methods for Estimating Soil Loss by Erosion (Withdrawn 2019)
E1370 Guide for Air Sampling Strategies for Worker and Workplace Protection
E1497 Practice for Selection and Safe Use of Water-Miscible and Straight Oil Metal Removal Fluids
E1542 Terminology Relating to Occupational Health and Safety
E2523 Terminology for Metalworking Fluids and Operations
2.2 OSHAGovernment Standards:
29 CFR 1910.1000 Air Contaminants
29 CFR 1910.1450 Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories
2.3 Other Documents:
Criteria Document for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids Criteria Document for a
Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids
5 5
NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM), 5th Edition
3. Terminology
3.1 For definitions of terms in this practice relating to sampling and analysis of atmospheres, refer to Terminology D1356. For
definitions of terms in this practice relating to occupational health and safety, refer to Terminology E1542.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to this practice, refer to Terminologies D1356, E1542, and E2523.
3.1.2 control standard endotoxin (CSE), n—a purified preparation of endotoxin based on the USP Reference Standard Endotoxin
(RSE); used in laboratories to prepare standard solutions.
3.1.3 endotoxin, n—pyrogenic high molar mass lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complex associated with the cell wall of gram-
negativeGram-negative bacteria.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Though endotoxins are pyrogens, not all pyrogens are endotoxins. Endotoxins are specifically detected through a Limulus
Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) test.
3.1.4 endotoxin unit (EU), n—a biological potency unit equivalent to the FDA Reference Standard Endotoxin (RSE). Currently,
EC-6 is equivalent to 0.1 ng 3D 1 EU.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
The current RSE (EC-6) is equivalent to 1 ng = 10 EU.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 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 the ASTM website.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.http://www.access.gpo.gov.
Available from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45226, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-102/default.html.
Available from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45226. 45226, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nmam/default.html.
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3.2.3 field blank, n—filter/cassette unit prepared for sampling that is taken to the sampling site and handled in the same manner
as the analytical filter/cassette unit, but that is not a part of the sampling process.
3.1.5 Gram-negative bacteria, n—prokaryotic cells that have a complex cell-wall cell wall structure that stainstains characteris-
tically when subjected to the differential Gram staining procedure.
3.1.6 Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay, n—a biological assay that detects dependent on a series of cascading enzyme
reactions that occur when Limulus blood cell (amebocyte) lysate combines with endotoxin.
3.1.7 metal removal fluids, fluid (MRF), n—the subset of metal working fluids that are used for wet machining or grinding to
produce the finished part.any fluid in the subclass of metalworking fluids used to cut or otherwise take away material or piece of
stock.
3.1.7.1 Discussion—
Metal removal fluids include straight or neat oils (Classification D2881) not intended for further dilution with water, and
water-miscible soluble oils, semisynthetics, and synthetics, which are intended to be diluted with water before use.
3.1.7.2 Discussion—
The term most often refers to straight oils and water-based fluids, such as soluble, semi-synthetic, and synthetic fluids.Metal
removal fluids become contaminated during use in the workplace with a variety of workplace substances including, but not limited
to: abrasive particles, tramp oils, cleaners, dirt, metal fines and shavings, dissolved metal and hard water salts, bacteria, fungi,
microbiological decay products, and waste. These contaminants can cause changes in the lubricity and cooling ability of the metal
removal fluid as well as have the potential to adversely affect the health and welfare of employees in with the contaminated metal
removal fluid.
3.2.7 onset time, n—time required for a change of 200 mOD (optical density) units relative to the initial OD value.
3.1.8 personal sampler, n—a portable sampling instrument that is attached to a person to ascertain the concentration of specific
constituents in the air in the person’sperson’s breathing zone.
3.1.9 pyrogen-free, adj—material(s) devoid of measurable endotoxin activity.
3.1.10 pyrogen-free water (PFW), n—processed water that is devoid of measurable endotoxin activity.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 field blank, n—filter/cassette unit prepared for sampling that is taken to the sampling site and handled in the same manner
as the analytical filter/cassette unit, but that is not a part of the sampling process.
3.2.2 onset time, n—time required for a change of 200 mOD (optical density) units relative to the initial OD value.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 A known volume of workplace air in a facility utilizing metalworking fluids is drawn through a sample filter cassette unit.
4.2 The sample filter is extracted into a pyrogen-free solution to quantitatively release endotoxin absorbed from collected
metalworking fluid aerosol.
4.3 The extract solution is subjected to quantitative endotoxin analysis techniques. The measured endotoxin concentration is
reported in terms of endotoxin potency units per unit volume of air sampled.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Endotoxins in metalworking fluid aerosols present potential respiratory health hazards to workers who inhale them. Therefore,
a consensus standard is needed to provide reliable data on workplace airborne endotoxin concentrations where metalworking fluids
are used.
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5.2 This practice for measuring airborne endotoxin concentrations in metalworking fluid atmo
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