ASTM_D_4413_-_98_2003.pdf

Designation:D 4413 98(Reapproved 2003)Standard Test Method forDetermination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres(Charcoal Tube Methodology)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4413;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 test method describes the determination of ethyleneoxide(oxirane)in workplace atmospheres using charcoal tubemethodology.1.2 This test method is compatible with low flow ratepersonal sampling equipment:10 to 200 mL/min.It can beused for personnel or area monitoring.1.3 The sampling method develops a time-weighted average(TWA)sample and can be used to determine short-termexcursions(STE).1.4 The applicable concentration range for the TWA sampleis from 0.3 to 20 ppm(v).1.5 The applicable concentration range for the STE sampleranges from 1 to 1000 ppm(v).1.6 The values stated in SI units shall be regarded as thestandard.Inch-pound units are provided for information only.1.7This 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.(For more specificsafety precautionary statements see Section 9 and 10.2.3 and11.1.3.)2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheres2D 3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-ganic Compound Vapors(Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-sorption Method)2E 355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Rela-tionships33.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to this test method,refer to Terminology D 1356 and Practice E 355.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 Aknown volume of sample air is passed through a glasstube packed with activated charcoal.Ethylene oxide is re-moved from the air stream by adsorption on the charcoal.4.2 A two-section tube containing a front and a backupsection of adsorbent is used to collect the sample.The backupsection adsorbs vapors that penetrate the front section and isused to determine if the collection capacity of the tube has beenexceeded.4.3 The ethylene oxide is desorbed with carbon disulfideand analyzed with a gas chromatograph equipped with a flameionization detector.4.4 Quantitation is based on the comparison of peak heightsor peak areas of the samples with those of standard solutions.4.5 Recovery factors are determined by the same techniquesused for the atmospheric analysis applied to known standards.5.Significance and Use5.1 Ethylene oxide is a major raw material used in themanufacture of numerous other bulk industrial chemicals aswell as a sterilizing agent.5.2 This test method provides a means of evaluating expo-sure to ethylene oxide in the working environment at thepresently recommended exposure guidelines:5.2.1 OSHA PEL 1 ppm(v)8-hr TWA.45.2.2 ACGIH TLV 1 ppm(v).56.Interferences6.1 Organic components that have the same or nearly thesame retention time as ethylene oxide during gas chromato-graphic analysis will interfere.6.2 Other volatile organic compounds in the area wheresamples are taken should be considered.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 onSampling and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcom-mittee D22.04 on Workplace Atmospheres.Current edition approved April 10,2003.Published June 2003.Originallyapproved in 1985.Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 4413 98e1.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 11.03.3Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vol 14.02.4Title 29,Code of Federal Regulation(Section 1910.1047),U.S.Department ofLabor,revised 49FR 25797 June 22,1984.5“Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in theWorkroom Environment with Intended Changes for 1997,”American Conference ofGovernmental Industrial Hygienists,P.O.Box 1937,Cincinnati,OH 45201.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.6.3 Such interferences can be minimized by proper selectionof gas chromatographic columns.A mass spectrometric detec-tor can be used to confirm the presence of ethylene oxide.6.4 Water mists,high humidity,elevated temperatures,andhigh concentrations of other compounds affect adsorptionefficiencies by reducing the adsorptive capacity of the charcoalfor ethylene oxide.7.Apparatus7.1 Charcoal Sampling Tube:7.1.1 DescriptionA sampling tube consists of a length ofglass tubing containing two sections of activated charcoal thatare held in place by nonadsorbent material and sealed at eachend.The front section is retained by a plug of glass wool andthe back section is retained by a second 2-mm portion ofurethane foam