ASTM D4599-21

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Designation: D4599 − 20 D4599 − 21
Standard Practice for
Measuring the Concentration of Toxic Gases or Vapors
Using Length-of-Stain Dosimeters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4599; 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 practice describes the detection and measurement of time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of toxic gases or
vapors using length-of-stain colorimetric dosimeter tubes. A list of some of the gases and vapors that can be detected by this
practice is provided in Annex A1Appendix X1. This list is given as a guide and should be considered neither absolute nor complete.
1.2 Length-of-stain colorimetric dosimeters work by diffusional sampling. The results are immediately available by visual
observation; thus no auxiliary sampling, test, nor analysis equipment are needed. The dosimeters, therefore, are extremely simple
to use and very cost effective.
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.
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
2.2 Other Document:
U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Standard—Title 29 1910.10001910.1000, Subpart Z
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1356.
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.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020March 1, 2021. Published December 2020March 2021. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20142020
as D4599 – 14.D4599 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D4599-20.10.1520/D4599-21.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Code of Federal Regulations, available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001,
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D4599 − 21
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Length-of-stain colorimetric dosimeters consist of a sealed glass tube containing a detector inside the tube (1-5). The detector
is a length of granulated material impregnated with a reactive chemical that is sensitive to the particular gas for which the dosimeter
is designed. To use the tube, one end is opened. The gas, if present, diffuses into the tube and reacts with the chemical reagent on
the carrier material, causing the latter to change color. Each lot of dosimeters is individually calibrated so that by measuring the
length of stain and the time of exposure, the TWA concentration to which the dosimeter has been exposed can be measured directly
and immediately.
4.2 Information on the correct use of length of stain dosimeter tubes is presented.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910.10001910.1000, Subpart Z, designates that
certain gases and vapors present in work place atmospheres must be controlled so that their concentrations do not exceed specified
limits. Other countries have similar regulations.
5.2 This practice will provide a means for the measurement of airborne concentrations of certain gases and vapors listed in 29 CFR
1910.1000 and in other countries’ regulations.
5.3 A partial list of chemicals for which this practice is applicable is presented in Annex A1Appendix X1 with current Threshold
Limit Values (TLV)National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL) values (2)
and typical measurement ranges for the selected chemicals as obtained from various manufacturer’s specifications. This list is for
guidance purposes only; the user of this practice is responsible for determining the applicability of commercially available tubes
to specific exposure limits.
5.4 This practice may be used for either personal or area monitoring.
6. Interferences
6.1 The instructions may provide correction factors to be applied when certain interferences are present. Some common interfering
gases or vapors for each dosimeter are listed in the instruction sheets for the dosimeter provided by the manufacturers.
7. Apparatus
7.1 Dosimeter Tube:
7.1.1 General Description—A length-of-stain dosimeter tube, also called a “colorimetric diffusion tube,” consists of a glass tube
containing an inert granular material impregnated with a chemical system that reacts with the gas or vapor of interest. As a result
of this reaction, the impregnated chemical changes color. The granular material is held in place within the glass tube by porous
plugs of a suitable inert material. To protect the contents during storage, the ends of the glass tube are flame sealed. The calibration
scale is printed on the tube to make it easy to read the length of stain of reacted chemical.
7.1.2 Stability on Storage—Stability on storage may vary depending on manufacturer and type of dosimeter, but most dosimeter
tubes can be stored for at least 24 months with no deleterious effects. The manufacturers specify a storage temperature range on
the package, typically 5 to 25 °C, or simply indicate to store in a dark and cool place.
7.2 Tube Holders—During use, the dosimeter tube is held in a lightweight, plastic holder. The tube holder protects the dosimeter
during use and also helps to minimize effects of air currents on performance. The holder has a clip that allows it to be fastened
to a collar or pocket during personal sampling or to some appropriate object during area sampling. For a personal sampling, the
holder with the length-of-stain dosimeter must be fastened in the breathing zone.
8. Reagents
8.1 The reagents used to impregnate the granular material in the dosimeters are specific for each tube, and, to detect a specific gas
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
D4599 − 21
or vapor, may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The instruction sheets supplied by the manufacturers usually give the
principal chemical reaction(s) that occur(s) in the tube.
9. Diffusional Sampling Theory
9.1 Fick’s First Law of Diffusion states that the mass (m) of material that diffuses is directly proportional to the diffusion
coefficient (D) of the material, the diffusional cross sectional area (A), the concentration gradient (Δc) and the time (t), and
inversely proportional to the length of the diffusion path (l). These parameters are linked by Fick’s First Law of Diffusion as
follows:
dm DAΔc
5 (1)
dt l
NOTE 1—The diffusion coefficient of a molecule is a function of the temperature and the nature of the medium through which it is diffusing.
The molecules of the contaminant reach the granular reagent layer. At this point the chemical conversion to a colored reaction
product takes place. The increase in length of the color zone dl is proportional to the converted mass of contaminant dm (Eq 2).
dm
dl 5 (2)
kA
where:
k = absorption capacity of a layer element, ng/cm , and
A = cross-sectional area of the reagent layer, cm (assumed constant).
This process, called chemisorption, has the following effects on the remaining measuring process:
9.1.1 Since the gas molecules to be measured are bound chemically, they are practically no longer present in the atmosphere
directly above the granular carrier material. Thus, additional sample molecules are able to flow into the d
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