ASTM_D_4413_-_98_2009e1.pdf

Designation:D441398(Reapproved 2009)1Standard Test Method forDetermination of Ethylene Oxide in Workplace Atmospheres(Charcoal Tube Methodology)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4413;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.1NOTEEditorial changes were made throughout this test method in October 2009.1.Scope1.1 This test method describes the determination of ethyleneoxide(oxirane)in workplace atmospheres using charcoal tubesampling methodology.Subsequent analysis is carried out bygas chromatography.1.2 This test method is compatible with low flow ratepersonal sampling equipment:10 to 200 mL/min.It can beused for personal or area monitoring.1.3 The sampling method develops a time-weighted aver-aged(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.1.7 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.(For more specificsafety precautionary statements see Section 9 and 10.2.3 and11.1.3.)2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheresD3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-ganic Compound Vapors(Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-sorption Method)E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation-ships3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of terms relating to this test method,refer to Terminology D1356 and Practice E355.4.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,andis also used as a sterilizing agent.5.2 This test method provides a means of evaluating expo-sure to ethylene oxide in the working environment.Examplesof recommended occupational exposure limits(OELs)include:a U.S.Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration(OSHA)1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on AirQuality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.04 on Workplace AirQuality.Current edition approved Oct.1,2009.Published December 2009.Originallyapproved in 1985.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4413 98(2003).DOI:10.1520/D4413-98R09E01.2For 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 StatesNOTICE:This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.Contact ASTM International(www.astm.org)for the latest information1personal exposure limit(PEL)of 1 ppm(v)(8-h TWA)3and anAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value(TLV)of 1 ppm(v).46.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.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 Descrip