ASTM_E_1516_-_98.pdf

Designation:E 1516 98Standard Guide forPackaging of Unbound Respirable Silicon CarbideWhiskers1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1516;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the packaging of unbound respirablesilicon carbide(SiC)whiskers and materials containing respi-rable silicon carbide whiskers.Airborne respirable siliconcarbide whiskers are considered a potential health hazard.1.2 All applicable federal,state,county,local or otherregulations must be complied with when this guide is used.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:E 1437 Practice for Handling Silicon Carbide Whiskers2E 1451 Guide for Disposal of Wastes Containing RespirableSilicon Carbide Whiskers2E 1718 Guide for Administrative and Engineering Controlsfor Silicon Carbide Whisker Work Areas22.2ANSI Standard:ANSI Z9.2-1979,Fundamentals Governing the Design andOperation of Local Exhaust Systems33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 respirable silicon carbide whiskers,na crystallinesilicon carbide fiber,approximately cylindrical in shape,with adiameter less than 3.0 m and an aspect ratio equal to or greaterthan 5:1.3.1.2 unbound silicon carbide whiskers,nwhiskers andfibers with the potential to become airborne.4.Significance and Use4.1 Packaging of unbound respirable SiC whiskers,andmaterials containing unbound respirable SiC whiskers,mayresult in a potential respirable exposure to SiC whiskers.4.2 This guide is intended for use by health and safetyprofessionals as well as packaging specialists in preparingprocedures for safe packaging,and in preparing relevantdocumentation.5.Material Characteristics to Be Considered inPackaging Design5.1 Silicon carbide whiskers can be electrostaticallycharged;therefore,packaging capable of generating electro-static charges may attract and hold whiskers on the outsidesurface,eventually allowing contamination of areas outside theimmediate work area during subsequent container handling.5.2 The aerodynamic equivalent diameter of unbound sili-con carbide whiskers is such that they easily become airborne.5.3 Angles as steep as 70 may be necessary to ensure flowof some unbound whiskers or unbound whisker-containingmaterials.6.Packaging Recommendations to Limit PotentialPersonnel Exposure6.1 Rigid,non-porous,tightly-sealing containers withsmooth inner surfaces are preferred to rough or porous con-tainers.Examples of these preferred containers include plasticdrums,fiber drums coated internally,metal drums,metal drumscoated internally,and bulk containers.Containers havingporous or rough surfaces,such as uncoated fiberboard(paper)drums,which may entrap whiskers,should not be used whenthe container will be in contact with the silicon carbidewhiskers.6.2 Bags,plastic or other,when used as container linersallow whisker release during opening and closing of the bags.Plastic bags should be used only inside a supporting containerfor either product transfer or waste disposal.6.3 The inside and outside surfaces of a reusable containershould be wet-wiped or vacuumed to remove any adheringloose SiC whiskers and the cleanup residue disposed accordingto Guide E 1451.6.4 The container openings for removal or transferring ofsilicon carbide whiskers should be as small as practicable forthe process in question.6.5 A bag or container of respirable SiC whiskers should beopened/closed,and all transferring of materials should occur,in a manner that minimizes whisker-release and allows capture1This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E-34 on OccupationalHealth and Safety and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E34.70 on SingleCrystal Ceramic Whiskers.Current edition approved Apr.10,1998.Published June 1998.Originallypublished as E 1516 93.Last previous edition E 1516 93.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.03.3Available from American National Standards Institute,11 W.42nd St.,13thfloor,New York,NY 10036.1Copyright ASTM,100 Barr Harbor Drive,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.of released whiskers such that exposure is below the airbornecontamination limits described in Practice E 1437.This mayrequire handling equipment and practices that minimize airinrush/expelling into/out of the bag or container.The equip-ment should include mechanical ventilation such as a drum-shroud,laboratory hood,downdraft hood,or other ventilationdevice(s)appropriate to the packaging and handling methodemployed.The ventilation should be designed and applied in