Vinyl chloride monomer is the starting material for the manufacture of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), which is used extensively in construction, electronics, packaging, and other industries. The vinyl chloride gas can escape during manufacturing, transportation, and polymerization stages. Residual monomer can also escape during subsequent fabrication processes.

Vinyl chloride is a toxic and explosive hazardous material.

Vinyl chloride is suspected to be a carcinogenic agent (4). The present OSHA standard for VCM is 1.0 ppm (v) with a 0.5-ppm (v) action level. The maximum length of operator exposure at 5 ppm (v) is 15 min.⁴

The method is made selective for vinyl chloride by choosing chromatograph columns that will separate vinyl chloride from other organic compounds in the sample.

The method meets the federal requirements for monitoring workplace atmospheres in vinyl chloride and poly(vinyl chloride) production and fabrication processes.

1.1 This test method describes the determination of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in workplace atmospheres using a modified charcoal tube method (see Practice D3686).

1.2 This procedure is compatible with low flow rate personal sampling equipment. It can be used for personnel or stationary monitoring. It cannot determine instantaneous fluctuations in concentration to detect maximum values. Alternative on-site procedures, such as gas chromatography or infrared spectrometry, must be used to measure fast-changing concentrations.

1.3 The range of this test method is from the limit of detection of approximately 0.01 to 100 ppm.

1.4 The sampling method provides a time-weighted average sample.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. For more specific precautionary statements, see Section 9 and Notes 2 and 4.