ASTM D3824 - 12 Standard Test Methods for Continuous Measurement of Oxides of Nitrogen in the Ambient or Workplace Atmosphere by the Chemiluminescent Method

Significance and Use

Most oxides of nitrogen are formed during high-temperature combustion. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set primary and secondary air quality standards for NO₂ that are designed to protect the public health and the public welfare (40 CFR, Part 50).

Oxides of nitrogen are generated by many industrial processes that can result in employee exposures. These are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which has promulgated exposure limits for the industrial working environment (29 CFR, Part 1910).

These methods have been found satisfactory for measuring oxides of nitrogen in the ambient and workplace atmosphere over the ranges shown in 1.1.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the continuous determination of total nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and nitric oxide (NO) as NO_x, or nitric oxide (NO) alone or nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) alone, in the ranges shown in the following table:

	Range of Concentration
Gas	Ambient Atmosphere	Workplace Atmosphere
	μg/m³ (ppm) (Note 1)	mg/m³ (ppm) (Note 1)
NO	10 to 600 (0.01 to 0.5)	0.6 to 30 (0.5 to 25)
(NO + NO₂) = NO_x	20 to 1000 (0.01 to 0.05)	1 to 50 (0.5 to 25)
NO₂	20 to 1000 (0.01 to 0.5)	1 to 50 (0.5 to 25)

Note 1—Approximate range: 25°C and 101.3 kPa (1 atm).

1.2 The test methods are based on the chemiluminescent reaction between nitric oxide and ozone.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 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. For specific precautionary statements, see Section 9.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere

D1914 Practice for Conversion Units and Factors Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D3195 Practice for Rotameter Calibration

D3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Procedures

D3609 Practice for Calibration Techniques Using Permeation Tubes

D3631 Test Methods for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Pressure

Other Documents

40 CFR, Parts 50 and 53, Environmental Protection Agency Regulations on Ambient Air Monitoring Reference and Equivalent Methods

Keywords

ambient atmospheres; analysis; chemiluminescence reaction; nitric oxide; nitrogen dioxide; oxides of nitrogen; sampling; workplace atmospheres; Air analysis; Air monitoring; Ambient air/atmospheric analysis; Automated procedures--atmospheric analysis; Chemiluminescence detection; Light transmission and reflection; Nitrogen oxides; Workplace air/atmospheres

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.040.30 (Workplace atmospheres)

DOI: 10.1520/D3824-12

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

ASTM D3824 (Atmospheric Analysis Standards)

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]