ASTM D4913-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D 4913 – 00
Standard Practice for
Determining Concentration of Hydrogen Sulfide by Direct
Reading, Length of Stain, Visual Chemical Detectors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4913; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Standard Title 29, Part 1910.1000, Subpart Z, and Part
1926.55, Subpart D
1.1 This practice covers the detection of hydrogen sulfide
NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard, Occupa-
gas by visual chemical detectors. Included under visual chemi-
2 tional Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide, 1977
cal detectors are: short-term detector tubes (1), long-term
Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in the
detectortubes (2),andlength-of-staindosimeters (3).Diffusion
Work Environment Adopted by the American Conference
tubes are not included under this practice because they are not
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, latest issue
direct reading, and spot tests are not included because of their
2.3 ANSI Standard:
poor accuracy. The results are immediately available by visual
ANSI/ISEA 102–1990(R1998) Gas Detector Tube Units-
observation, thus no analytical equipment is needed.
Short-Term Type for Toxic Gases and Vapors in Working
1.2 This practice reflects the current state-of-the-art for
Environments
commercially available visual length-of-stain detectors for
hydrogen sulfide. Any mention of a specific manufacturer in
3. Terminology
the text or references does not constitute an endorsement by
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
ASTM.
method, refer to Terminology D 1356.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard.
4. Summary of Practice
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 In general, the length-of-stain visual detectors described
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in this practice consist of a sealed glass tube filled with a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
reactive chemical dispersed on a granular material or a paper
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
strip.Thisreactivematerialissensitivetohydrogensulfideand
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
changes color upon exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. These
detectors are designed so that the length of the color change in
2. Referenced Documents
the tube is related to the concentration of hydrogen sulfide
2.1 ASTM Standards:
under conditions of sampling volume or sampling time speci-
D 1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
3 fied by the manufacturer. These detectors are typically cali-
Atmospheres
brated by the manufacturer on an individual lot basis. Three
D 3686 Practice for Sampling Atmospheres to Collect Or-
general types of detectors are in current use.
ganic Compound Vapors (Activated Charcoal Tube Ad-
3 4.1.1 Short-Term Detector Tubes—A given volume of air
sorption Method)
(specified by the manufacturer) is pulled through the tube by a
D 4490 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
3 pump in a time period on the order of 1 to 10 min. The
Gases or Vapors Using Detector Tubes
length-of-stain is related to the amount of air sampled and the
D 4599 Practice for Measuring the Concentration of Toxic
3 hydrogen sulfide concentration during the sample period.
Gases or Vapors Using Length-of-Stain Dosimeters
4.1.2 Long-Term Detector Tubes—The air sample is pulled
2.2 Other Documents:
through the tube at a slower, constant flow rate (specified by
CFR 1910.1000 Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Code of Federal Regulations, available from the U.S. Government Printing
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D22 onAir Quality Office, Washington, DC 20402.
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD22.04onWorkplaceAtmospheres. Available from NationalTechnical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Current edition approved September 10, 2000. Published November 2000. Springfield, VA 22161 (NTIS Number PB-274196).
e1 6
Originally published as D 4913 - 89. Last previous edition D 4913 - 89 (1995) . Available from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygien-
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of ists, 6500 Glenway Avenue, Bldg. D-7, Cincinnati, OH 45211-4438.
this standard practice. Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.03. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4913–00
the manufacturer) by an electrical pump over a 1- to 8-h time 6.2.3 In some sampling situations, particularly when testing
period. The length of color change and the sampling time are for hazardous hydrogen sulfide concentrations in confined
used to estimate the time weighted average (TWA) concentra- spaces, a remote sampling line and adapter can be used. This
tion of hydrogen sulfide. allows placement of the detector tube in the potentially
4.1.3 Length-of-Stain Dosimeter Tubes—This detector type hazardous area to be tested while the operator is in a safer area.
samples the atmosphere to be tested by diffusion; no pump is
6.3 Procedure:
required. Sampling times are on the order of 1 to 8 h and the
6.3.1 Carefully follow the instruction sheet of the manufac-
stain length as a function of sampling time is related to the
turer for the proper use of hydrogen sulfide short-term detector
TWA concentration of hydrogen sulfide.
tubes (see Practice D 4490).
4.2 Information on the correct use of detector tubes and
6.3.1.1 Check the pump for leaks, total volume, and flow
length-of-stain dosimeters is presented.
rate in accordance with the instruction manual for the pump.
Also check the sampling line for leaks (if used).
5. Significance and Use
6.3.1.2 Remove one detector tube from the box and break
off both tips.
5.1 General—Hydrogen sulfide is nearly ubiquitous. It
occurs naturally in volcanic gases, in sulfur springs and 6.3.1.3 Insert the detector tube into the tube holder of the
pump or onto the sample line, making sure that it is properly
fumaroles, in decaying of plant and animal protein, and in
intestines as a result of bacterial action. Hydrogen sulfide is a oriented.
serious hazard to the health of workers employed in energy 6.3.1.4 Face the mounted detector tube into the atmosphere
production from hydrocarbon or geothermal sources, in the
tobetested.Sampleanappropriatevolumeofairbypullingthe
production of fibers and sheets from viscose syrup, in the pump handle out the required number of strokes, if using a
production of deuterium oxide (heavy water), in tanneries,
piston pump, or squeezing the pump the proper number of
sewers, sewage treatment and animal waste disposal, in work
times, if using a bellows-type or bulb-type pump.
below ground, on fishing boats, and in chemical operations,
6.3.1.5 If hydrogen sulfide is present, the indicator chemical
including the gas and oil industry.
in the tube will change color from white to brown or gray. The
5.2 In 29 CFR 1910.1000, the Federal Occupational Safety
length of stain, correlated with the volume of air sampled, will
and Health Administration designates that worker exposure to
indicatetheconcentration.Mostdetectortubesnowhavedirect
certain gases and vapors must not be exceeded in workplace
reading concentration scales printed on the tube.
atmospheres at concentrations above specific values, averaged
6.3.1.6 For the most reliable estimate of the hydrogen
over a certain time span. Hydrogen sulfide is included in this
sulfide concentration, the maximum number of pump strokes
list. Refer also to NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Stan-
(as specified by the manufacturer) should be taken so that the
dard, Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide.
stained length is between 20 and 80 % of the total indicating
5.3 This practice will provide means for the determination
chemical length. At very low or very high concentrations, this
of airborne concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.
is not always possible.
5.4 This practice provides means for either personal or area
6.4 Interferences—Whenusingleadsaltsastheimpregnant,
sampling and for short-term or time-weighted average (TWA)
sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and mercaptans can interfere
measurements. Refer to Threshold Limit Values for Chemical
with accurate measurements, particularly at low hydrogen
Substances in the Work Environment.
sulfide concentrations. Sulfur dioxide, if present at comparable
concentrations to hydrogen sulfide, will give a positive inter-
6. Detector Tubes, Short-Term (1,4-9)
ference, that is, will increase the length of stain; however,
sulfur dioxide by itself will cause no stain. Mercaptans at or
6.1 General—Short-term detector tubes are used for grab-
near their TLV levels will not interfere, but at high concentra-
sampling. They allow determination of hydrogen sulfide con-
tions (more than 100 ppm) they can give a positive interfer-
centrations in approximately five min.
ence. Nitrogen dioxide, at concentrations near its TLV, gives a
6.2 Apparatus:
slight negative error. The effect of these interferences is
6.2.1 Detector tubes for the detection of hydrogen sulfide
minimal when silver cyanide, copper, or mercury compounds
and an appropriate pump are required. Since manufacturers
are used as the impregnant.
have different tubes for different measurement ranges of
6.5 The accuracy of detector tubes from two manufacturers
hydrogen sulfide, an estimate of the expected hydrogen sulfide
was tested over a temperature range of 4°C (40°F) to 49°C
concentration is helpful. Detector tubes made by one manufac-
(120°F) and over a relative humidity range of 20 % to 90 %
turer must not be used with pumps made by a differen
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