4.1 pH is, within the limits described in 1.1, an accurate measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration and thus is widely used for the characterization of aqueous solutions.

4.2 pH measurement is one of the main process control variables in the chemical industry and has a prominent place in pollution control.

1.1 This test method specifies the apparatus and procedures for the electrometric measurement of pH values of aqueous solutions with the glass electrode. It does not deal with the manner in which the solutions are prepared. pH measurements of good precision can be made in aqueous solutions containing high concentrations of electrolytes or water-soluble organic compounds, or both. It should be understood, however, that pH measurements in such solutions are only a semiquantitative indication of hydrogen ion concentration or activity. The measured pH will yield an accurate result for these quantities only when the composition of the medium matches approximately that of the standard reference solutions. In general, this test method will not give an accurate measure of hydrogen ion activity unless the pH lies between 2 and 12 and the concentration of neither electrolytes nor nonelectrolytes exceeds 0.1 mol/L (M).

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 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.