5.1 Promulgations by the U.S. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910 designate that certain organic compounds must not be present in workplace atmospheres at concentrations above specified values.

5.2 This test method, when used in conjunction with Practice D3686, will promote needed accuracy and precision in the determination of airborne concentrations of many of the organic chemicals including but not limited to 29 CFR 1910, CDC-99-74-45, NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, OSHA Sampling and Analytical Methods, and HSE Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances. It can be used to determine worker exposures to these chemicals, provided appropriate sampling periods are used.

5.3 Most laboratories are equipped with apparatus similar to that described in Section 7. Other apparatus can be used when analytical procedures suitable for that equipment are employed. The analytical techniques (or variations thereof) described in Sections 9 – 11 are in general use to analyze volatile organic compounds extracted from charcoal. Other procedures can be used when appropriate and validated as being suitable for the intended use.

1.1 This test method describes the extraction and gas chromatographic determination of organic vapors that have been adsorbed from air in sampling tubes packed with activated charcoal.

1.2 This test method is complementary to Practice D3686.

1.3 This test method is applicable for analysis of samples taken from workplace or other atmospheres provided that the contaminant adsorbs onto charcoal, that it can be adequately extracted from the charcoal, and that it can be analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). Other adsorbents and other extraction techniques are described in Practice D6196.

1.4 Organic compounds of multicomponent samples may mutually interfere during analysis. Methods to resolve interferences are given in Section 6.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.6 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautions are given in 8.5, 9.2, and in X1.2.3.

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.