ASTM D5578-04

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Designation:D5578–04
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres
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(HBr Derivatization Method)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5578; 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.
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1. Scope Part 1910, Subpart Z, Section 1910.1047.
1.1 This test method covers a method of collecting and
3. Terminology
analyzing samples to determine the amount of ethylene oxide
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to
(ETO) present in workplace atmospheres.
Terminology D1356, and Practice E355.
1.2 Thistestmethodcanbeusedtoprovideatime-weighted
average(TWA)overtheconcentrationrangefrom0.2to4ppm
4. Summary of Test Method
(v).
4.1 A known volume of air is pumped through a glass tube
1.3 This test method can be used to determine 15-min
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packed with carbon molecular sieve, surface area 400 m /g
excursions (STEL) ranging from 1 to 25 ppm (v).
impregnated with hydrogen bromide (HBr) where ETO is
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
adsorbed and converted to 2-bromoethanol.
standard.
4.2 The tube contains two reactive sections for sample
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
collection. The backup section collects vapors that pass
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
through the front section and is used to determine if the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
collection capacity of the front section has been exceeded.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.3 The resultant derivative, 2-bromoethanol, is desorbed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 9 for
with a mixture of acetonitrile/toluene and analyzed using a gas
specific safety hazards.
chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector.
2. Referenced Documents 4.4 Desorption efficiency is determined by spiking tubes
2 withknownamountsof2-bromoethanolandanalyzingwiththe
2.1 ASTM Standards:
same procedure used for air samples.
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
4.5 Quantitation is achieved by comparing peak areas from
Atmospheres
sample solutions with areas from standard solutions.
D3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-
ganic Compound Vapors (Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-
5. Significance and Use
sorption Method)
5.1 Ethylene oxide is a major industrial chemical with
D3687 Practice for Analysis of Organic Compound Vapors
production volume ranked in the top 25 chemicals produced in
Collected by the Activated Charcoal Tube Adsorption
the United States. It is used in the manufacture of a great
Method
variety of products as well as being a sterilizing agent and
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Rela-
fumigant.
tionships
5.2 This test method provides a means of determining
2.2 Other Standard:
exposure levels of ETO in the working environment at the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. De-
presently recommended exposure guidelines.
partmentofLabor,Title29, Code of Federal Regulations,
5.2.1 OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) 1 ppm,
15-min excursion limit 5 ppm (CFR, Part 1910, Subpart Z,
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Section 1910.1047).
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on
5.2.2 ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) 1 ppm (1.8
Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-
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mg/m ), suspected human carcinogen.
mittee D22.04 on Workplace Atmospheres.
Current edition approved October 1, 2004. Published October 2004. Originally
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approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D5578 - 94(1999) .
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DOI: 10.1520/D5578-04. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Office, Washington, DC 20402.
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contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Biological Exposure Indices, American Conference of Governmental Industrial
the ASTM website. Hygienists, 6500 Glenway Avenue, Building D-7, Cincinnati, OH 45211-4438.
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D5578–04
6. Interferences 8. Reagents
6.1 Derivatives and other compounds that have identical or 8.1 Purity of Reagents—Unless otherwise indicated, it is
nearly the same GC column retention time as
...