ASTM PS94-98

1.1 This provisional practice covers quantitative methods for the personal sampling and determination of bacterial endotoxin concentrations in polydisperse metal removal fluid aerosols in workplace atmospheres. Users should have fundamental knowledge of microbiological techniques and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) testing.

1.2 Users of this provisional practice may obtain personal exposure data of endotoxin in metal removal fluid aerosols, either on a short-term or full-shift basis in workplace atmospheres.

1.3 This provisional practice gives an estimate of the endotoxin concentration of the sampled atmosphere.

1.4 This practice seeks to minimize interlaboratory variation but does not ensure uniformity of results.

1.5 Provisional standards achieve limited consensus through approval of the sponsoring subcommittee. It is anticipated that this provisional practice will facilitate interlaboratory comparisons of airborne endotoxin data from metal removal fluid atmospheres by providing a basis for endotoxin sampling, extraction, and analytical methods.

1.6 In 1997, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration impaneled a Standards Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the Administration regarding measures that the Administration could take to improve the health of workers exposed to metal removal fluids. The subcommittee believes that the user community would benefit significantly if a standard was developed to give the community guidance on a methodology for the sampling and analysis of personal airborne endotoxin exposure assessments in facilities using water-miscible metal removal fluids, based on the LAL assay. Because the Advisory Committee's timetable calls for development of recommendations by 1999, rapid development of an ASTM document would be responsive and beneficial.

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.