Exposure to inorganic acids in workplace air can cause irritations of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and exposure limits for hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid and nitric acid in air have been established to reduce exposure risks to potentially affected workers (1). Sampling and analytical methods for volatile inorganic acids are needed for exposure assessment and risk reduction purposes.

1.1 This test method is intended for use in the determination of the time-weighted average mass concentration of hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid mist, hydrogen bromide vapor and hydrobromic acid mist, and nitric acid vapor and mist in workplace air. The samples are collected on an alkali-impregnated quartz fiber filter and analyzed by ion chromatography. The method is also appropriate for measuring short term exposures.

1.2 This test method assumes that air samples are collected using appropriate and applicable ASTM International standards for sampling of workplace air.

1.3 The procedure is targeted for occupational and environmental hygiene monitoring purposes.

1.4 No detailed operating instructions are provided because of differences among various makes and models of suitable instruments. Instead, the analyst shall follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the particular instrument. This standard does not address comparative accuracy of different devices or the precision between instruments of the same make and model.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.6 The practice contains notes, which are explanatory and not part of mandatory requirements of the standard.

1.7 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.