ASTM D4978-95

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Designation: D 4978 – 95
Standard Test Methods for
Screening of Reactive Sulfides in Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4978; 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 4. Summary of Test Methods
1.1 These test methods are applicable to the screening of 4.1 Method A: Lead Acetate Paper—A sample of waste
reactive sulfides in wastes, liquids, sludges, semisolids, and material is acidified. If sulfides are present in the waste,
solids by using the following methods: hydrogen sulfide (H S) is evolved. In the presence of hydrogen
sulfide, lead acetate paper changes color to silvery brown or
Sections
Test Method A—Lead Acetate Paper 9-14
black.
Test Method B—Gas Detector Tube 15-19
4.2 Method B: Gas Detector Tube—A portion of the sample
1.2 These test methods are not applicable in determining the
is acidified in a beaker to release sulfide as hydrogen sulfide
type and concentration of reactive sulfides. gas. The gas is funneled through a detector tube creating a
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as a
color stain in the tube proportionate to the concentration of
preliminary test to complement the more sophisticated quanti- sulfide gas in the vapor. A definite color change in the detector
tative analytical techniques that may be used to determine
tube indicates a positive presence of sulfide.
sulfide concentration. These test methods offer, to the user, the
5. Significance and Use
option and the ability to screen waste for potentially hazardous
levels of reactive sulfide when the sophisticated techniques are 5.1 These test methods are intended for use by waste
not available and the total waste composition is unknown. treatment, storage, disposal, and remedial facilities, in order to
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the show the presence of potentially hazardous sulfide.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 5.2 Method B: Gas Detector Tube—This proposed test
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- method was designed to measure gases migrating into an air
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- space at a height of 10 units (for example, 10 ft) from a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard receiving or mixing pit of 10 units square (for example, 100
information is given in Section 7 and 11.3. ft ). In essence, the total volume of the atmosphere is approxi-
mately 10 times the surface area of the sample and test
2. Referenced Documents
solution.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6. Reagents
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
3. Terminology
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
3.1 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
3.1.1 reactive sulfide—a compound containing sulfide that Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
readily forms hydrogen sulfide gas upon reaction with acid.
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used
3.1.2 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi- provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently
quantitative test developed from classical qualitative and
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of
quantitative techniques that is designed to efficiently give the the determination.
user parameters about a waste that will aid in determining
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han- to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
dling.
by Type III of Specification D 1193.
1 3
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
Screening Methods. listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
published as D 4978 – 89. Last previous edition D 4978 – 89. and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. MD.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4978
7. Hazards each batch of samples. The concentration of this sample should
reflect the action level required by the laboratory. Method or
7.1 These tests should be conducted under a fume hood.
reagent blanks, duplications, and fortification (spikes), should
7.2 Avoid inhalation and skin or eye contact, or both, with
be performed at an action level specified by the laboratory at an
all hazardous material.
appropriate frequency.
8. Sampling
13.2 Method detection limits should be determined by each
laboratory using the standard and at the appropriate action
8.1 Collect a representative sample of the waste in a sealed
level.
container.
8.2 Store the sample in an operating fume hood.
14. Precision and Bias
8.3 The sample should be analyzed as soon as possible.
14.1 No statement is made about either the precision or bias
TEST METHOD A—LEAD ACETATE PAPER
of Test Method A for measuring sulfides in w
...