ASTM D4185-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The health of workers in many industries is at risk through exposure by inhalation to toxic metals. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers' exposures, and this is generally achieved by making workplace air measurements. Exposure to some metal-containing particles has been demonstrated to cause dermatitis, skin ulcers, eye problems, chemical pneumonitis, and other physical disorders (16).3
5.2 FAAS is capable of quantitatively determining many metals in air samples at the levels required by federal, state, and local occupational health and air pollution regulations. The analysis results can be used for the assessment of workplace exposures to metals in workplace air. The suitability of FAAS for elemental analysis for exposure assessment purposes must be investigated prior to carrying out workplace air sampling, in consideration of relevant occupational exposure limit values (OELVs) for metals of concern.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the collection, dissolution, and determination of trace metals in workplace atmospheres, by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS).
1.2 The estimated method detection limits and optimum working concentration ranges for 21 metals are given in Table 1.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Specific safety precautionary statements are given in Section 9.)
1.5 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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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.
Designation: D4185 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by
1
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4185; 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 D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient
Atmosphere
1.1 This test method covers the collection, dissolution, and
D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
determination of trace metals in workplace atmospheres, by
D5337 Practice for Setting and Verifying the Flow Rate of
flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS).
Personal Sampling Pumps
1.2 The estimated method detection limits and optimum
D7035 Test Method for Determination of Metals and Met-
working concentration ranges for 21 metals are given in Table
alloids in Airborne Particulate Matter by Inductively
1.
Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as AES)
D8358 Guide for Assessment and Inclusion of Wall Deposits
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. in the Analysis of Single-Stage Samplers for Airborne
Particulate Matter
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
method, refer to Terminology D1356.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
(Specific safety precautionary statements are given in Section 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
9.) 3.2.1 blank signal, n—that signal which results from all
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- added reagents and clean sample media prepared and analyzed
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
exactly in the same way as the samples.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2.2 working range for an analytical precision better than
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3 %, n—the range of sample concentrations that will absorb
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
10 % to 70 % of the incident radiation (0.05 to 0.52 absorbance
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
units).
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summary of Test Method
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 Workplace air samples are collected in samplers con-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
taining filters or filter capsules and are then treated with acid
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
mixtures to destroy the organic matrix and to dissolve the
Atmospheres
metals present. The analysis is subsequently made by flame
atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
4.2 Samples and standards are aspirated the flame of an
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air
absorption spectrophotometer. A hollow cathode or electrode-
Quality.
less discharge lamp for the metal being determined provides a
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally
source of characteristic radiation energy for that particular
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D4185 – 17. DOI:
10.1520/D4185-23.
metal. The absorption of this characteristic energy by the atoms
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of interest in the flame is related to the concentration of the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
metal in the aspirated sample. The flame and operating
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. conditions for each element are listed in Table 2.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D4185 − 23
TABLE 1 FAAS Method Detection Limits and Optimum Working Concentration for 21 Metals
Method Detection Limit, Optimum Linear Range,
Element Reference(s)
3
μg/sample mg/m
Ag 0.2 0.5 to 5 (100 L sample) (1, 2)
Al 2 0.5 to 10 (100 L sample) (3)
Ba 2 0.13 to 10 (200 L sample) (4)
Bi 2.5 5 to 300 (400 L sample) (2)
Ca 0.1 1 to 20 (85 L sample) (5)
Cd 0.05 0.01 to
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
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: D4185 − 17 D4185 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Metals in Workplace Atmospheres by
1
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4185; 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
1.1 This test method covers the collection, dissolution, and determination of trace metals in workplace atmospheres, by flame
atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS).
1.2 The sensitivity, detection limit,estimated method detection limits and optimum working concentration ranges for 2321 metals
are given in Table 1.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (Specific safety precautionary statements are given in Section 9.)
1.5 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
2.1 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
D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration
D5337 Practice for Setting and Verifying the Flow Rate of Personal Sampling Pumps
D7035 Test Method for Determination of Metals and Metalloids in Airborne Particulate Matter by Inductively Coupled Plasma
Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES)
D8358 Guide for Assessment and Inclusion of Wall Deposits in the Analysis of Single-Stage Samplers for Airborne Particulate
Matter
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D1356.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace Air Quality.
Current edition approved March 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2023. Published March 2017September 2023. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20112017
as D4185 – 06 (2011).D4185 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/D4185-17.10.1520/D4185-23.
2
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4185 − 23
TABLE 1 FAAS Instrumental Detection Limits and Optimum Working Concentration for 23 Metals
Detection Limit, μg/mL
3
(approximately three Optimum Linear Range TLV, mg/m (elements,
Element times Upper Limit, compound classes, and
B
standard deviation of μg/mL oxides)
A
blank)
Ag 0.001 5 0.1 (metal) 0.01
(soluble compounds
as Ag)
Al 0.04 50 2.0 (soluble salts and
alkyls not otherwise
classified) 10 (metal
dust and oxide)
5 (pyro powder and
welding fume)
Ba 0.01 10 0.5 (soluble
compounds)
Bi 0.03 10 No Limit expressed for
this element
Ca 0.002 1 2 (oxide as CaO)
Cd 0.0008 1 0.01 (elemental and
compounds—total
dust)
0.002 (elemental
compounds—
respirable fraction)
Co 0.009 5 0.02 (elemental and
inorganic) 0.1
(carbonyl and
hydrocarbonyl)
Cr 0.003 5 0.5 (metal and Cr III
compounds) 0.05
(water soluble Cr VI
compounds)
0.01 (insoluble Cr VI
compounds)
Cu 0.002 5 0.2 (fume) 1 (dust and
mists as Cu)
Fe 0.005 5 5 (iron oxide fume) 5
(soluble salts as Fe)
In 0.03 50 0.1 (metal and
compounds)
K 0.003 1 No Limit expressed for
this element
Li 0.0008 1 No Limit expressed for
this element
Mg 0.0002 0.5 10 (as MgO fume)
Mn 0.002 5 0.2 (elemental and
inorganic
compounds)
Na 0.0003 0.5 No Limit expressed for
this element
Ni 0.006 5 0.05 (elemental,
soluble and insoluble
compounds)
Pb 0.02 10 0.15 (inorganic
...
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