ASTM D4913-00(2016)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D4913 − 00 (Reapproved 2016)
Standard Practice for
Determining Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide by Direct
Reading, Length of Stain, Visual Chemical Detectors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4913; 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 D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
Atmospheres
1.1 This practice covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide
D3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-
gas by visual chemical detectors. Included under visual chemi-
2 ganic Compound Vapors (Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-
cal detectors are: short-term detector tubes (1), long-term
sorption Method)
detector tubes (2), and length-of-stain dosimeters (3). Diffusion
D4490 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
tubes are not included under this practice because they are not
Gases or Vapors Using Detector Tubes
direct reading, and spot tests are not included because of their
D4599 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
poor accuracy. The sample results are immediately available by
Gases or Vapors Using Length-of-Stain Dosimeters
visual observation, thus no analytical equipment is needed.
2.2 Other Documents:
1.2 This practice reflects the current state-of-the-art for
CFR 1910.1000 Federal Occupational Safety and Health
commercially available visual length-of-stain detectors for
Standard Title 29, Part 1910.1000, Subpart Z, and Part
hydrogen sulfide. Any mention of a specific manufacturer in 4
1926.55, Subpart D
the text or references does not constitute an endorsement by
NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Occupa-
ASTM. 5
tional Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide, 1977
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this Work Environment Adopted by the American Conference
standard. of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, latest issue
2.3 ANSI Standard:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ANSI/ISEA 102–1990(R1998) Gas Detector Tube Units-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Short-Term Type for Toxic Gases and Vapors in Working
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Environments
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
practice, refer to Terminology D1356.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Practice
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 In general, the length-of-stain visual detectors described
in this practice consist of a sealed glass tube filled with a
2. Referenced Documents
reactive chemical dispersed on a granular material or a paper
strip. This reactive material is sensitive to hydrogen sulfide and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
changes color upon exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. These
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. Code of Federal Regulations, available from the U.S. Government Printing
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published October 2016. Originally Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE,
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D4913 – 00 (2011). Washington, DC 20401.
DOI: 10.1520/D4913-00R16. Available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, http://www.ntis.gov.
this standard practice. Available from American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Inc. (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45240, http://
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM www.acgih.org.
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
D4913 − 00 (2016)
detectors are designed so that the length of the color change in 6.2 Apparatus:
the tube is related to the concentration of hydrogen sulfide
6.2.1 Detector tubes for the detection of hydrogen sulfide
under conditions of sampling volume or sampling time speci-
and an appropriate pump are required. Because manufacturers
fied by the manufacturer. These detectors are typically cali-
have different tubes for different measurement ranges of
brated by the manufacturer on an individual lot basis. Three
hydrogen sulfide, an estimate of the expected hydrogen sulfide
general types of detectors are in current use.
concentration is helpful. Detector tubes made by one manufac-
4.1.1 Short-Term Detector Tubes—A given volume of air
turer must not be used with pumps made by a different
(specified by the manufacturer) is pulled through the tube by a
manufacturer (10).
pump in a time period on the order of 1 to 10 min. The
6.2.2 The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) has a voluntary
length-of-stain is related to the amount of air sampled and the
certification program for short-term detector tubes for hydro-
hydrogen sulfide concentration during the sample period.
gen sulfide. This program consists of independent laboratory
4.1.2 Long-Term Detector Tubes—The air sample is pulled
verification of sampling pump precision and of detector tube
through the tube at a slower, constant flow rate (specified by
performance. The pump and tube units certified under this
the manufacturer) by an electrical pump over a 1- to 8-h time
program are listed in the SEI Approved Equipment List. The
period. The length of color change and the sampling time are
certification test protocol is similar to that used in the now
used to estimate the time weighted average (TWA) concentra-
discontinued NIOSH Certification Program (11-13).
tion of hydrogen sulfide.
6.2.3 In some sampling situations, particularly when testing
4.1.3 Length-of-Stain Dosimeter Tubes—This detector type
for hazardous hydrogen sulfide concentrations in confined
samples the atmosphere to be tested by diffusion; no pump is
spaces, a remote sampling line and adapter can be used. This
required. Sampling times are on the order of 1 to 8 h and the
allows placement of the detector tube in the potentially
stain length as a function of sampling time is related to the
hazardous area to be tested while the operator is in a safer area.
TWA concentration of hydrogen sulfide.
6.3 Procedure:
4.2 Information on the correct use of detector tubes and
6.3.1 Carefully follow the instruction sheet of the manufac-
length-of-stain dosimeters is presented.
turer for the proper use of hydrogen sulfide short-term detector
5. Significance and Use
tubes (see Practice D4490).
5.1 General—Hydrogen sulfide is nearly ubiquitous. It oc- 6.3.1.1 Check the pump for leaks, total volume, and flow
curs naturally in volcanic gases, in sulfur springs and
rate in accordance with the instruction manual for the pump.
fumaroles, in decaying of plant and animal protein, and in Also check the sampling line for leaks (if used).
intestines as a result of bacterial action. Hydrogen sulfide is a
6.3.1.2 Remove one detector tube from the box and break
serious hazard to the health of workers employed in energy
off both tips.
production from hydrocarbon or geothermal sources, in the
6.3.1.3 Insert the detector tube into the tube holder of the
production of fibers and sheets from viscose syrup, in the
pump or onto the sample line, making sure that it is properly
production of deuterium oxide (heavy water), in tanneries,
oriented.
sewers, sewage treatment and animal waste disposal, in work
6.3.1.4 Face the mounted detector tube into the atmosphere
below ground, on fishing boats, and in chemical operations,
to be tested. Sample an appropriate volume of air by pulling the
including the gas and oil industry.
pump handle out the required number of strokes, if using a
5.2 In 29 CFR 1910.1000, the Federal Occupational Safety
piston pump, or squeezing the pump the proper number of
and Health Administration designates that worker exposure to
times, if using a bellows-type or bulb-type pump.
certain gases and vapors must not be exceeded in workplace
6.3.1.5 If hydrogen sulfide is present, the indicator chemical
atmospheres at concentrations above specific values, averaged
in the tube will change color from white to brown or gray. The
over a certain time span. Hydrogen sulfide is included in this
length of stain, correlated with the volume of air sampled, will
list. Refer also to NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended
indicate the concentration. Most detector tubes now have direct
Standard, Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide.
reading concentration scales printed on the tube.
5.3 This practice will provide means for the determination
6.3.1.6 For the most reliable estimate of the hydrogen
of airborne concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.
sulfide concentration, the maximum number of pump strokes
(as specified by the manufacturer) should be taken so that the
5.4 This practice provides means for either personal or area
stained length is between 20 and 80 % of the total indicating
sampling and for short-term or time-weighted average (TWA)
chemical length. At very low or very high concentrations, this
measurements. Refer to Threshold Limit Values for Chemical
is not always possible.
Substances in the Work Environment.
6.4 Interferences—When using lead salts as the impregnant,
6. Detector Tubes, Short-Term (1, 4-9)
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mercaptans can interfere
6.1 General—Short-term detector tubes are used for grab-
with accurate measurements, particularly at low hydrogen
sampling. They allow determination of hydrogen sulfide con-
sulfide concentrations. Sulfur dioxide, if prese
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