Significance and Use

The DL concept addresses potential measurement interpretation errors. It is used to control the likelihood of reporting a positive finding of asbestos when the measured asbestos level cannot clearly be differentiated from the background contamination level. Specifically, a measurement is reported as being below the DL if the measured level is not statistically different than the background level.

The DL, along with other measurement characteristics such as bias and precision, is used when selecting a measurement method for a particular application. The DL should be established either at the method development stage or prior to a specific application of the method. The method developer subsequently would advertise the method as having a certain DL. An analyst planning to collect and analyze samples would, if alternative measurement methods were available, want to select a measurement method with a DL that was appropriate for the intended application. The most important use of the DL, therefore, takes place at the planning stage of a study, before samples are collected and analyzed.

1. Scope

1.1 This practice presents the procedure for determining the detection limit (DL) for measurements of fibers or structures using microscopy methods.

1.2 This practice applies to samples of air that are analyzed either by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and samples of dust that are analyzed by TEM.

1.3 The microscopy methods entail counting asbestos structures and reporting the results as structures per cubic centimeter of air (str/cc) or fibers per cubic centimeter of air (f/cc) for air samples and structures per square centimeter of surface area (str/cm ² ) for dust samples.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D5755 Test Method for Microvacuum Sampling and Indirect Analysis of Dust by Transmission Electron Microscopy for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading

D6281 Test Method for Airborne Asbestos Concentration in Ambient and Indoor Atmospheres as Determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy Direct Transfer (TEM)

D6480 Test Method for Wipe Sampling of Surfaces, Indirect Preparation, and Analysis for Asbestos Structure Number Surface Loading by Transmission Electron Microscopy

E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics

Keywords

asbestos; detection limit; fiber count; Asbestos; Counting airborne particles; Detection method;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.040.99 (Other standards related to air quality)

DOI: 10.1520/D6620-06R10

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D6620