ASTM_D_4979_-_12.pdf

Designation:D497912Standard Test Method forPhysical Description Screening Analysis in Waste1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4979;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()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method is used to identify wastes by describingcertain physical properties.It has been developed as a rapid buteffective means for visually screening wastes when received inthe laboratory or during collection at the sampling site.1.2 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.Specific hazard andwarning information is given in 9.1.6.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definition of terms used in the document refer toTerminology D5681.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 screening analysisa preliminary qualitative or semi-quantitative test that is designed to efficiently give the userspecific information about a waste that will aid in determiningwaste identification,process compatibility,and safety in han-dling.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Samples are inspected and the physical appearance isrecorded,including color,turbidity,viscosity,physical state,layering,and any other observable attribute(for example,texture).5.Significance and Use5.1 This test method is intended for use by those in thewaste management industries to aid in describing the physicalcharacteristics of waste.5.2 This test method has two uses.One is to visually screenwastes being received at the laboratory to identifying discrep-ancies between the waste,manifest,and historical descriptions.The other use is to visually examine soil and water sampleswhile they are being collected.This information,along withprofessional judgment during sample collection,can be used toincrease the knowledge of the site contamination by increasingor reducing the number of samples collected based on visibleindication of contamination or lack of visible indication ofcontamination.For example,if a soil or groundwater sample iscollected“up gradient”of the area of known or suspectedcontamination to obtain site background concentrations,andthe sample appears contaminated,the up gradient area can berelocated during that sampling event.Visual observation couldalso show that the sampling parameters need to be increased ordecreased.This may reduce or eliminate the need for additionalsampling trips to the field.6.Interferences6.1 Opaque sample containers require removal of a repre-sentative sample sufficient for complete observation.It isrecommended that a representative portion be transferred to aclean,dry,clear container.7.Apparatus7.1 Disposable Spatula or Eye Dropper.7.2 Clear Glass Sample Containers.8.Sampling8.1 Samples should be obtained in clear glass containers.8.2 Liquid samples may require time to stabilize(that is,until layers reform).8.3 It may be helpful to pick up the sample container andtilt,rotate,swirl,invert it or to manipulate the sample with aclean,disposable spatula or eye dropper.8.4 In the laboratory,if necessary,allow the sample to cometo room temperature in a sealed container.For example,frozenmaterial should be allowed to thaw completely.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on WasteManagement and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 onScreening Methods.Current edition approved Sept.1,2012.Published December 2012.Originallyapproved in 1989.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D4979 08.DOI:10.1520/D4979-12.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 9.Procedures9.1 Inspect the waste sample and describe the physicalattributes noting the following areas.9.1.1 ColorDescribe the visual color of the sample.Ifmore than one color is present,list colors in decreasing orderof prominence.Additional descriptive terms may be useful(forexample,purple with swirls of blue and flecks of yellow).9.1.2 TurbidityDescribe liquid samples or liquid portionsof samples in terms of clear(transparent),cloudy(translucent),or opaque.9.1.3 ViscosityDescribe the viscosity of liquids and slud-ges.Describe viscosity in reference to viscosity like water,medium viscosity like syrup or motor oil,or high viscosity likemolasses or warm tar.Tip the