ASTM International

Standard Practice for Asbestos Detection Limit Based on Counts
 N D6620

Annotation

This practice presents the procedure for determining the detection limit (DL)2 for measurements of fibers or structures3 using microscopy methods.

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.

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/cm2) for dust samples.

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

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 The DL also is referred to in the scientific literature as Limit of Detection (LOD), Method Detection Limit (MDL), and other similar descriptive names.

3 For purposes of general exposition, the term “structures” will be used in place of “fibers or structures.” In the examples in Section 8, the specific term, “fiber” or “structure,” is used where appropriate. These terms are defined separately in Section 3.