INTERNATIONAL IS0

STANDARD 8672
First edition
1993-02-I 5

Air quality - Determination of the number

concentration of airborne inorganic fibres
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by phase contrast optical microscopy -

Membrane filter method

Qua/it6 de I’air - D&termination de la concentration en nombre de fibres

inorganiques en suspension dans I’air par microscopic optique en
contraste de phase - MBthode du filtre 2 membrane

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Reference number
IS0 8672:1993(E)

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Contents
Page

1 Scope . ... . ...*......*...................*... . . .. .. . . . .. .. . .. .. ..*.*.......................*...**... 1

2 General method description *....*................................................ 1

3 Sampling apparatus and technique ..,,.*,..,*,..,............... ..,.......... 1

4 Evaluation .. .. . . . .. .. .. . . .. .. . ...*......................*................................... 4

5 Sources of errors ~,~,,.,...,.*..r....,,......,...~..*‘,.,,.,................*......~.... 7

6 Test report . ..~..~....,..~.......~,..................~.......~..............................6

Allni3XeS

A Acetone-triacetin mounting procedure .................................... 9

B Eyepiece graticule .................................................................. 11

C HSE/NPL test slide (Mark II) for the determination of the detection
limit when using phase contrast microscopy ........................ 13

D Examples of sampling strategy ............................................. 15

E Flowrate calibration and corrections ...................................... 18

F Measurement of exposed filter area ...................................... 20

G Dust sampling record ............................................................ 21

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H Microscope adjustment procedure ........................................ 23

J Example of a dust counting record ........................................ 24

K Bibliography ............................................................................ 25

0 IS0 1993
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
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mission in writing from the publisher.
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Printed in Switzerland

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

Foreword
IS0 (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (IS0 member bodies). The work
of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through IS0
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for
which a technical committee has been established has the right to be
represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. IS0
collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission

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(IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are
circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International
Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting
a vote.
International Standard IS0 8672 was prepared by Technical Committee
lSO/TC 146, Air quality, Sub-Committee SC 2, Workplace atmospheres.
Annexes A, B and C form an integral part of this International Standard.
Annexes D, E, F, G, H, J and K are for information only.

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 IS0 8872:1993(E)

Introduction
The concentration of optically visible airborne inorganic fibres can only be
defined in terms of the results obtained with a particular measurement
method. Moreover, experience has shown that different laboratories, us-
ing the membrane filter optical counting method, may obtain different re-
sults on the same sample, even when the laboratories appear to be
working from a written version of the method which attempts to specify
all variables.
Because of the unusual operator-dependance of the membrane filter
method, it is important to apply this method with care and it shall be used
in conjunction with a quality control scheme.
The World Health Organization has produced a variant of this method for
use in Man-Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) industry workplaces[sI. A re-
viewal of the whole field is given it-D]. It is recommended to use this re-
view to assist in interpretation of the results of this method, particularly
when applied outside the asbestos and MMMF manufacturing industries.

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 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD IS0 8672:1993(E)

Air quality - Determination of the number

concentration of airborne inorganic fibres by phase
contrast optical microscopy - Membrane filter
method

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1 Scope duration overcomes the problem of background dust,
when fibres are a minor constituent of the dust cloud.
The mounting medium proposed in this method has
1 .I General a refractive index of approximately 1,45. In workplace
atmospheres where fibres with the refractive indices
This International Standard specifies the determi- in the range of I,4 to I,5 may occur, the acetone-
nation of the number concentration of airborne inor- triacetine mounting method may not be appropriate
ganic fibres by phase contrast optical microscopy and another mounting media shall be used.
using the membrane filter method in workplace at-
mospheres, as defined by the counting criteria given
in 4.3.4. 2 General method description
A sample is collected by drawing a measured quantity
1.2 Limitations of the method of air through a membrane filter by means of a

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battery-powered sampling pump. The filter is later
The method is applicable for routine sampling and transformed from an opaque membrane into a homo-
sample evaluation necessary to assess personal ex- geneous optically transparent specimen. The fibres
posure to fibres and to control their presence in oc- are then sized and counted using a phase contrast
cupational environments. This method can not identify microscope. The result is expressed as fibres per cu-
the composition or characteristics of particular fibre bic centimetre of air, calculated from the number of
types and its use shall be restricted to workplace at- fibres on the filter and the measured volume of air
mospheres where the predominant fibre types are sampled.
inorganic.
The use of this method also has limitations when ap-
plied to samples containing platy or acicular particles 3 Sampling apparatus and technique
and consequently it should not be implemented with-
out a full understanding of the workplace atmosphere. 3.1 Filter
There are a variety of analytical methods which can
be used to develop a full understanding of complex Membrane filters (mixed esters of cellulose or cellu-
samples, e.g. polarizing light microscopy, electron lose nitrate) of 0,8 pm or less pore size and a diameter
microscopy. of 25 mm are preferred with printed grids.
With the parameters specified in this method, the
theoretical lower detection limit for an 8 h-sample is 3.2 Filter holder
0,02 fibres/cm3. However, the limit of practical use is
often 0,l fibres/cm3 or higher. This is because blank It is necessary to use an open-faced filter holder fitted
filters can frequently give a reading of several count- with a protective cowl. The distance between the
able fibres per 100 graticule areas. These “fibres” are cowl opening and the filter plane should be between
contaminants on the filter, or artifacts from the clear- one and half times and twice the internal diameter of
ing process which have the appearance of fibres. the cowl. The internal diameter of the cowl should be
Neither counting more fields nor increasing sampling at least equal to the exposed diameter of the filter but

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

not more than 2 mm greater than it. Figure 1 shows it on its unexposed edge. Place the filter, dust side
two possible arrangements, up, in a plastics Petri dish or similar container. Fasten
the filter to the bottom of the dish with one or two
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The cowl helps to protect the filter from accidental pieces of adhesive tape attached to the unexposed
contamination. A conducting cowl is preferred to a edge. After transportation, the filter can be removed
plastics one because of the possible risk of fibre loss easily from the dish with a surgical scalpel.
due to electrostatic charge. Filter holders and cowls
shall be thoroughly washed before re-use. Pack the filter holders or Petri dishes into a rigid con-
tainer with sufficient soft packing material to prevent
Due to the design of the filter support utilized in some both crushing and vibration of the filter. Samples shall
filter holders, a supporting pad of larger pore size be unambiguousty labelled and caution is necessary
should be used. to ensure that filters cannot be accidentally re-used.
The purpose of this supporting pad is to ensure an The filters should not be marked for this purpose be-
cause of the risk of damaging the filter.
even distribution of air passing through the primary
membrane.
3.4 Sampling pump
3.3 Storage and transport
A portable battery-operated pump shall be used for
Fixatives shall not be used. personal sampling. The capacity of the battery shall
Experience has shown that fixing fibres to the filter be sufficient to operate continuously over the chosen
surface with cytological or other types of fixatives is sampling time. The flow shall be free from pulsation.
unnecessary and this shall not be done. As a minimum and tentative criterion, there shall be
no visible vibration of a variable area flowmeter float
Filters should be transported in closed holders which when the flowmeter is connected to the filter holder.
should only be opened immediately before use and
sealed immediately afterwards. Although some pumps are equipped with pulsation
dampers, an external damper may have to be installed
An alternative is to transfer the filter to a Petri dish in between the pump and the filter. Never run the pump
the following way. without a filter.
In a dust-free area, using forceps, carefully remove Connecting tubing shall be constriction-proof and the
each used filter from its holder, taking care to grasp connections shall be leakproof.

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3.5 Flowrate and analytical procedure should be examined carefully

to find the cause of the contamination.
The flowrate shall be adjusted to approximately
1 I/min, e.g. approximately 4 cm/s face velocity. The When the blank count exceeds 5 fibres/lOO graticule
adjustment of sample density to the range specified areas, and also exceeds 10 % of the actual sample
in 3.6 should be done by adjusting sampling time as fibre count/l00 graticule areas, the samples rep-
in 3.8. The flowrate shall be checked at least before resented by the blank are not considered acceptable
and after sampling. If the difference from the initial for assessment of worker exposure.
flowrate is greater than 10 %, the sample shall be re- However, the determination may still be useful for
jected. If an external flowmeter is used to determine indicating compliance with the exposure standard. For
the flowrate of the pump, care shall be taken to en- example, if the estimated exposure is less than that
sure that the flowmeter does not cause unknown permitted by regulations even with the contamination,
changes the flowrate. Measurements of the “sam- this is a conservative estimate of compliance.
pling train” flowrate using a soap-film flowmeter, with
and without the external flowmeter, is one satisfac- EXAMPLE
tory method of determining any change in flowrate.
The flowmeter used shall be able to measure flowrate The fibre count of blank filter was 15 fibres/lOO grati-
to an accuracy within + 5 % of the true flow (95 % cule areas (i.e. 0,15 fibreslarea) while the sample
confidence limit). yielded 108 fibres in 90 graticule areas (i.e. I,20
fibreslarea).
See annex E for flowrate calibration.
G$;;;;;t (%) =
3.6 Acceptable fibre loadings on filters
-+100=12,5% . . * (1)
3.6.1 Minimum loading ,
As this percentage exceeds 10 %, the sample is re-
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The minimum filter loading should exceed

50 fibres/mm* (i.e. approximately 0,4 fibres/ Walton- jected. Furthermore, because the blank count ex-
Beckett graticule area). In special circumstances (e.g. ceeded 5 fibres/lOO graticule areas, the cause of
when an indication of concentration with low preci- contamination shall be found and corrected.
sion is acceptable), it is permissible to lower the ac-
ceptable fibre loading to 20 fibres/mm* (i.e. 3.8 Recommended single sample duration
approximately 0,15 fibres/WaIton-Beckett graticule
area). Taking into account the filter loading considerations
The lowering of the acceptable fibre loading gives, at detailed in 3.6, the duration t, in minutes, for each
best, barely acceptable coefficients of variation. The single sample may be determined from the following
limitations described in 1.2 should also be considered formula:
when measuring very low fibre concentrations. L.1
t+ r
. . . (2)
cexp
3.6.2 Maximum loading
where
The filter loading should not exceed a maximum of
approximately 650 fibres/mm* (5 fibreslgraticule area A is the effective filter area, in square milli-
averaged for all counted fields) for the majority of metres;
sampling situations. This may need to be reduced to a is the graticule area, in square millimetres;
an average of about one fibre per graticule area when
mixed dusts or agglomerates are present, and can cexp is the average fibre concentration, in fibres
sometimes be doubled when only fibres are present. per cubic centimetre, expected to occur
Average filter loadings exceeding 5 fibreslgraticule during the single sample duration;
area tend to result in an underestimation and should
be treated with caution. L is the required filter loading, in fibres per
graticule area;
3.7 Blanks r is the flowrate, in cubic centimetres per
minute.
For each batch of filters used for sampling, and for
every 25 filters in the batch, select one filter which To provide guidance on the selection of single sample
has been subjected to the same treatment as normal duration, table 1 lists recommended single sample
samples, but without having the caps removed, hav- durations based on 2 fibreslgraticule area. If it is not
ing air drawn through it, or having been attached to possible to use these values, the minimum and
the worker. if this “blank” yields fibre counts greater maximum durations allow a choice to be made whilst
than 5 fibres/lOO graticule areas, the entire sampling still remaining within the constraints of 3.6. If the

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

concentration is not known and the objective is com- Wipe the scalpel and forceps with lens tissue and
pliance sampling, the single sampling duration should place them on a clean surface, e.g. lens tissue. When
preferably be that recommended for the appropriate mounting a series of filters, the mounting tools shall
limit. be wiped clean before dealing with each sample.

4.1.2 Cutting the filter sample

Table 1 - Single sample duratlons
Single aample duration Mounting of the total filter is preferable.

%tTd If it is necessary to cut the filter, all cutting should be

concrntration & 11 tw.zmmd 2’ k-+x3’ done with a scalpel using a rolling action. Do not use
fibres/cma scissors. It is recommended that the smallest piece
mounted be wedge-shaped and approximately one-
0.1 3,3 h Full shift Full shift quarter or one-third of the filter.
0.5 40 min 3h 8h
4.1.3 Mounting the sample
1 20 min I,5 h 4h
2 10 min 45 min 2h For mounting, use the acetone-triacetin method as
5 4) 20 min lh described in annex A, unless a modified refractive
10 41 10 min 30 min index has to be used (see 1.2).
20 41 10 min 10 min
WARNING - Acetone mounting shall be carried
1) 0.4 fibreslgraticule area is equivalent to 50 fibreslmm’. out only In a fume hood or fume cupboard. On no
2) 2 fibreslgraticule area.
occasion should lt be conducted In the vIcinlty of
an open flame.
3) 5 fibres/graticule area.
4) Sampling periods shorter than 10 min are not rec- 4.2 Optical requirements
ommended.

4.2.1 Microscope equipment

Sampling time shall be measured within rt: 2,5 %.
Because microscopes with identical “specifications”
NOTE 1 timers or counters installed in some pumps
The can give quite different performances, it is necessary
are not always reliable. that the performance of proposed and existing micro-
scopes be assessed by means of a detection limit test
3.9 Sampling strategy and records slide (see annex Cl. Provided this criterion is met,
small departures from the recommended specifica-
Examples of strategy are given in annex D. All data tions in items d) and e) are permitted. it is also im-
necessary for the determination of the fibre concen- portant that newcomers consult experienced workers
tration shall be recorded, as well as sampling details. before selecting microscopes for fibrous dust deter-
For an example of a sampling record, see annex G. mination. The necessary specifications are as follows.

a) Light source, Kohler or Kijhler type illumination.

4 Evaluation
It is preferable for the illuminator to be built-in but
an external lamp with a plain mirror can be satis-
4.1 Sample preparation factory. A variable light intensity control is neces-
sary for both methods of illumination.
4.1 .I Cleaning slides and equlpment
b) Substage assembly. Abbe or achromatic phase-
Clean conditions shall be maintained at all times. contrast condenser incorporated into a substage
unit.
A dirty preparation area may result in sample con-
tamination and erroneous results. There shall be a means of centering each con-
denser annulus with respect to the phase plate in
Clean slides with lens tissue or industrial paper tissue the corresponding objective, and also a means of
and lay them on a clean surface, e.g. lens tissue focussing the condenser.
sheet. it is good practice to clean each coverslip with
lens tissue immediately before use, to ensure that the c) Stage, a built-in mechanical specimen stage fitted
surfaces are free from contamination. with slide clamps and x-y displacement.

WARNING - Some types of lens-tissue can pro- d) Objectives, a rotating nose-piece fitted with x 10
duce small fibres which may contaminate the and x 40 par-focal phase-contrast achromatic ob-
preparation. jectives.

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

The x 40 objective shall have a numerical aperture e) The eyepiece graticule shall be in focus.
(NA) of 0,65, achromatic. It shall have a phase ring
of absorption not less than 65 % and not greater For more detailed information see annex H.
than 65 %. Microscope adjustments shall be a daily routine.
e) Binocular eyepieces chosen to give a total magni-
fication of 400 to 600. 4.2.3 Eyepiece graticule calibration

At least one eyepiece shall permit the insertion of Each combination of eyepiece, objective and graticule
a graticule. The compensating and focussing type shall be calibrated with a stage micrometer. Should
are recommended. The use of body magnification any of the three be changed, the combination shall
changers is not recommended. be recalibrated. For some microscopes, calibrations
will change for observers with different interpupillary
f) Graticule (Walton-Beckett). distances (see annex B for eyepiece graticule cali-
bration procedures).
The diameter of the graticule in the object plane,
when using the x 40 phase objective and an ap- 4.2.4 Microscope/observer performance
propriate eyepiece shall be 100 pm + 2 km. See assessment
annex B for graticule specification, calibration,
source of supply and ordering information. It is necessary that laboratories following this method
should maintain contact with those having experience
9) Accessories with it. As mentioned in 4.2.1, a detection limit test
slide is available which will assist in the regular as-
Centering telescope or Bertrand Lens for sessment of microscope and observer performance.
checking that the phase rings in the condenser A practical detection limit corresponding to block 5 on
are centered with respect to those in the ob- the HSE/NPL test slide Mark II, shall be achieved (see
jective. annex C for method of use and supplier). Exchange
of microscope slides with experienced laboratories for
Green filter to ensure the best phase contrast comparison will help to ensure that valid results are
conditions because the optics are designed for being generated.
this wavelength.

Stage micrometer which shall be subdivided 4.3 Counting and sizing fibres
into max. 10 pm intervals.
4.3.1 Low power scanning
Microscope slides which should be the best
quality. Scan the entire filter area with a total magnification
of x 100 to x 150 (i.e. x 10 objective).
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Coverslips of thickness (normally 0,17 mm)

The margin normally covered by the filter holder gas-
suitable for the microscope objective. Incorrect ket shall be free of dust and fibres. All viewing fields
coverslip thickness will detract from the quality
should have similar appearances with respect to total
of the final image.
dust loading. If the observed fields show marked dif-
Hand operated counter or similar device. ferences in loading or gross aggregation of fibres or
dust, the filter shall be rejected.

4.2.2 Microscope adjustment principles 4.3.2 Graticule field selection

After a satisfactory low power scan, change the

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions while obsetv- microscope objective to x 40 phase and focus on the
ing the following guidelines. dust plane.
a) The image of the light source shall be in focus and Ensure that the phase rings remain concentric. Al-
centered on the condenser iris of the annular though most of the fibres and dust will be found on
diaphragm for true Kohler illumination. the upper surface of the filter, it will be necessary to
focus below (e.g. up to 10 pm) and slightly above the
b) The object for examination shall be in focus. surface.
c) The illuminator field iris shall be in focus, centered When counting and sizing, constant use of the fine
on the sample and opened only to the point where focus is necessary because of the small depth of field
the field of view is illuminated. of a x 40 objective (i.e. 2 pm to 3 pm). Fields for
counting shall be chosen at random throughout the
d) The phase rings (annular diaphragm and phase entire area of the filter or filter segments. If the grid
shifting elements) shall be concentric. of a filter obstructs the view, move the stage to an-

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

other field. Do not count fields that lie within 3 mm An agglomerate of fibres which at one or more
of the filter edge or within 2 mm of the cutting line, points on its length appears to be undivided but
if any. which at other points appears to divide into sep
arate strands is known as a split fibre. Any other
4.3.3 Laboratory working conditions agglomerate in which fibres touch or cross one
another is known as a bundle.
The working practices and the working environment
in a laboratory may influence systematically the level f) A split fibre is evaluated as a single countable fibre
of reliability of the actual counting. This shall be if it meets the definition in d), the diameter being
controlled by a quality assurance scheme. measured across the largest undivided part and
not the split part.
Some differences may appear when inter-laboratory
comparisons are made which are due merely to dif- 9) Fibres in a bundle area are evaluated individually if
ferent laboratory lighting conditions, different seating they can be distinguished sufficiently to determine
and computing arrangements, etc. Different ways of that they meet the definition in d). If no individual
recording data may also cause some disagreement fibres meeting this definition can be distinguished,
between the counters, due to the rate of visual fa- the bundle shall be evaluated as a countable fibre
tigue. if it as a whole meets the definition.
The detailed writing of data involves the re-focussing
of the eyes after viewing each field, whereas con- 4.4 Calculation of fibre concentration
tinuous registering with electrical or mechanical

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counters involves only a single period of continuous
concentration. 4.4-l Single values

4.3.4 Counting criteria The fibre concentration c, in fibres per cubic centi-
metre, for each single sample duration is determined
a) Choice of fields according to the following formula:
Graticule areas for counting shall be chosen at A
c= ax N
-x-x- 1 1 ...
n I- t
random so that they are representative of the
whole exposed area of the filter and do not over- where
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lap.
A is the effective filter area, in square milli-
One method is to traverse the filter on randomty metres (see annex F);
chosen chords taking fields at random.
a is the graticule counting area, in square
b) Rejection of fields millimetres (see annex BI;
Graticule areas which include grid lines shall be N is the total number of fibres counted;
rejected. If more than one-eighth of a graticule
area is covered by an agglomerate of fibres n is the number of graticule areas observed;
and/or particles, the graticule area shall be rejected
and another selected. Such occurrences shall be r is the flowrate of air through filter, in cubic
centimetres per minute;
recorded.
t is the single sample duration, in minutes.
cl Number of fibres and/or fields to be evaluated
An example of a counting record is given in annex J.
At least 100 fibres shall be counted with a mini-
mum of 20 graticule areas evaluated. It is not
necessary to evaluate more than 100 graticule 4.4.2 Time-weighted average values
areas.
When several samples of different sampling durations
d) A countable fibre is defined as any object having are taken, calculate the time-weighted average con-
a maximum diameter less than 3 pm, an overall centration crw, in fibres per cubic centimetre, from the
length greater than 5 pm and a length : diameter single values as follows:
ratio greater than 39, and which does not appear
to touch any particle with a maximum diameter Ci X ti
greater than 3 pm. Suitable pictures meeting the c =
Cm=
criteria d) to g) are given in [2].
c 4

e) A countable fibre with both ends within the grati- c, x t, -kc, x ~‘...‘C” x t”
cule area shall count as one; a countable fibre with = . . . (4)
only one end within the area shall count as half. t, -l-t;! f .., -I- t,

6
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 where 5.3 Random errors
ci is the single value of concentration, in fi-
bres per cubic centimetre; 5.3.1 Sampling

4 is the single sample duration, in minutes; - Flowrate variability.

n is the total number of samples. - Random fluctuations of the airborne dust cloud.
If the single sample durations, ti, referred to above are
of equal duration, equation (4) can be simplified as 5.3.2 Analytical
follows:
- Counting operator variability.

c ci c,+c*+...+c, - Fibre distribution on the filter. Non-random depo-

+J=n= n
. . . (5) sition of dust on the filter leads to gross errors, the
magnitude of which cannot be estimated. Twenty
or more fields shall be counted to ensure that mi-
nor divergence from randomness does not bias
5 Sources of errors the result.

- Poisson distribution. As only small samples of the

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fibres deposited on the filter are counted, errors
5.1 General arise in the estimation of the total number of fibres
on the entire filter face. Theoretically, the Poisson
Errors introduced into the estimation of airborne fibres distribution defines the variation in fibre counts
comprise sampling and analytical errors, each of resulting from viewing randomly selected counting
which has a systematic and random component. The fields on the filter. If a minimum of 100 fibres is
application of standard procedures and a reproducible counted, and if a Poisson distribution were appro-
routine is the only way of controlling most of the priate to the counting results, the relative standard
many sources of error inherent in the membrane filter deviation of the fibre counts would be + 10 %. It
method. The following list describes some common has been shown experimentally that the actual
sources of error. distribution of fibre counts can depart from that of
Poisson, in which case the standard deviation may
be greater.
5.2 Systematic errors
5.4 Overall accuracy
52.1 Sampling Because of the nature of the membrane filter method,
it is not possible to know the “true” airborne fibre
- Flowrate. concentration of a given dust cloud. For this reason it
is not possible to assess the likely accuracy of the
- Sampling time. method. Even the precision (or repeatability) of the
method is difficult to quantify because of systematic
- Non-representative or biased sampling. inter- and intra-laboratory errors which tend to arise.
By “randomly” selecting observers and laboratories,
- Contamination, deliberate or accidental. these systematic errors take on a random nature so
that it may be possible to provide estimates of em-
pirical precision (i.e. the closest possible approach to
5.2.2 Analytical a statement of accuracy for a method with no known
“true” values).
- Effective filter area.
Much work has been done in an attempt to arrive at
- Counting area. these estimates, and until now only partial con-
clusions have been reached. One of these con-
- Counting criteria. clusions is that the theoretical Poisson distribution
(see 5.3.2) contributes a + 95 % confidence interval
- Filter mounting. of + 20 % for a total of 100 fibres counted, or up to
about + 35 % for only 40 fibres counted in 100 grati-
- Counting operator bias. cule areas.
- Microscope. Other sources of random and systematic errors add
significantly to the uncertainty in estimating the air-
- Contamination. borne fibre concentration.
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5.5 Presentation of results a) a reference to this International Standard;

At present there is insufficient information available b) the sample identification number;

to determine at what level the reliability of the method
becomes so poor that the results have little meaning. c) the start and end of the sampling period;
It is clear that this will not be a single value, but will
be a range depending upon at least the absolute fibre d) the flowrate during the sampling period;
concentration and the concentration relative to other
dust. There appears to be general agreement e) the type of sample: personal or static sample;
amongst those experienced in the field, that these
limits lie somewhere in the range of 0,l fibres/cm3 to f1 the description of the location where the sample
0,5 fibres/cm3, depending on a variety of conditions. was taken;
In view of this situation, and the inherent variability
of the method, all calculated values of less than g) the results;
0,l fibres/cm3 should usually be reported as “less
than 0,l fibres/cm3”. All higher values should be h) any deviations from the sampling and the analytical
rounded off to the first decimal place, and to two procedure;
significant figures.
i) any other information relevant to the method.
6 Test report An example of a sampling record is given in
annex G.
The test report should include the following infor-
mation:

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

Annex A
(normative)

Acetone-triacetin mounting procedure

The following is a description of a procedure for stream, approximately 15 mm to 25 mm from the

mounting membrane filters. The device used is largely outlet for 3 s to 5 s. At the same time, move the filter
composed of parts available in chemistry laboratories. slowly across the outlet to ensure even coverage until
Other methods using commercially available appar- the filter is transparent. Too little vapour will fail to
atus may be used when they produce samples of the render the filter transparent, while too much vapour
same (or better) quality. The handling of acetone re- (especially drops of liquid acetone) will destroy the
quires great care in order to avoid accidents. Even filter by dissolving it or shrinking it beyond use. The
safer devices are now being developed. They may be slide shall not be prewarmed, as it is necessary for
used, provided that the same slide quality (no washing acetone vapour to condense on the slide for correct
off of fibres, smooth surface, clear background) can clearing.
be obtained with them.
Using a hypodermic syringe with a 22gauge needle
WARNING - Acetone mounting should be carried or a disposable micropipette, place 1 to 3 drops of
out only in a fume hood or fume cupboard. On no glycerol triacetate (triacetin) on the acetone-cleared
//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\

occasion should it be conducted in the vicinity of filter. To avoid the development of a “skin” over the
an open flame. Only a small quantity of acetone triacetin, immediately lower a clean coverslip onto the
is necessary. Heating with the waterbath is pref- triacetin at an angle (see figureA.2). The coverslip
erable; use of boiling chips in the acetone is rec- should not be pressed onto the membrane.
ommended.
Too much triacetin (as indicated by excess liquid
As illustrated in figure A.l, it is advisable to use a emerging from the edges of the coverslip) can cause
simple condensing column to ensure that a bare the outside edge of the filter eventually to disintegrate
minimum of acetone vapour escapes. The free open- to some degree. Insufficient triacetin will result in
ing in the tap shall have a diameter of at least 8 mm, uneven clearing of the granularity left from the
otherwise the acetone vapour cannot escape in a acetone vapour clearing. Furthermore, the refractive
sufficient quantity when using an open condensing index of the mounted sample will not be suitable for
column. When the apparatus is not in use, the optimum visibility for some fine fibres (see 1.2).
acetone vapour outlet should be closed. Heating the cleared filter to approximately 50 “C for
Heat the acetone to boiling and wait until a moderate 15 min accelerates the clearing process and enables
quantity of acetone vapour emerges from the outlet. the analysis to proceed almost immediately there-
after. Otherwise, it is necessary to delay counting for
Place the filter, dust side up, on a clean microscope about 24 h until the entire filter has dissolved under
slide at room temperature. Electrostatic forces usually the action of the triacetin. The finished product will
keep the filter on the slide. be permanent.
Ensuring that no liquid acetone drips onto the filter (by The edge of the coverslip may be sealed with lacquer
wiping the outlet periodically with a tissue), hold the varnish (e.g. nail polish) if the slide is to be kept in-
slide with clean forceps directly in the acetone vapour definitely.

9
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Simple condensing column

Cooling water

Acetone

Contalner (500 cm3 to 1000 cm31 Slide to be cleared

Figure A.1 - Condensing column

\
k
I 1
Figure A.2 - Placing of the coverslip
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Annex B
(normative)

Eyepiece graticule

B.l Specifications of eyepiece graticule, EXAMPLE

ordering information and calibration Step e) produced an object length of a Pot-ton
graticule of 108 lrn.
The graticule described in this method is the type G22
“Walton/Beckett” graticulell. Step f) produced an actual length of 4,50 mm.
For each graticule, the desired diameter, d, of the cir-
cle to appear as 100 pm f 2 pm in the object plane, Step g) produced a diameter of
D, of the graticule and the overall diameter of the (4,50/0,108) x 0,l = 4,17 mm.
glass disc should both be specified in millimetres be-
fore ordering.
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

It is also necessary to measure the overall diam-

The following procedure is one of several methods for eter of the glass disc.
determining the diameter, d, of the circular counting
area. In this case the disc diameter was found to be
17 mm. Thus a “Walton/Beckett” graticule of disc
al Insert any available graticule into the eyepiece and diameter 17 mm and circle diameter 4,17 mm
focus so that the graticule grid is sharply in focus. should be specified for the above example.

b) Set the appropriate inter-pupillar distance, and, if B.2 Calibration of eyepiece graticules
applicable, reset the binocular head adjustment so
that the “tube” length (and thus the magnification) Obtain a stage micrometer, preferably with a scale
remains constant. having 2 pm or 10 pm divisions and place it on the
object stage of the microscope.
cl Ensure that the x 40 phase objective is in place,
and that the magnification changer position (if Make sure that the inter-pupillar distance of eyepieces
used) is known and recorded. is set correctly.

d) Place a stage micrometer on the microscope ob- Note the objective magnification and any intermediate
ject stage and focus the microscope onto the magnification used.
graduated lines. Focus the microscope onto the graduated marks of
the stage micrometer.
el Measure the overall object length, I,, of the grati-
cule grid using the stage micrometer. Line up the eyepiece graticule with the graduated di-
visions on the micrometer, so that the number of
f) Remove the graticule from the microscope and whole micrometer divisions can be counted from one
measure its actual overall grid length, la. This can side of the eyepiece graticule graduations to the
be done by using a stage fitted with verniers. other.
9) Calculate the diameter to be specified, d, using the If less than a whole division remains, estimate this
following equation: fraction to the nearest micrometer and add it to the
number of whole divisions of the stage micrometer
d=&D after converting to micrometers. This totalled result is
. . . (B.1)
r, the projected or object dimension of the eyepiece
graticule.

I) Type G22 “Walton/Beckett” graticule (Reference No. G22) is the trade-name of a product supplied by Graticules Limited,
Sovereign Way, Botany Trading Estate, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 IRN, England.This information is given for the convenience of
users of this InternationalStandardand does not constitute an endorsement by IS0 of the product named. Equivalentproducts
may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

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EXAMPLE c) The remainder of the 1 lth division is estimated as

being one third of a whole division, i.e. approxi-
a) A stage micrometer with 10 pm divisions was mately 3 pm.
placed on the stage of a microscope.
Adding the values in b) and c) together gives 103 pm
b) The diagram in figure B.l depicts the view of the which is the object dimension of the eyepiece grati-
superimposed eyepiece graticule and stage cule. Note that if the interpupillary distance, objective,
micrometer. intermediate magnification, or if in some microscopes
the eyepiece is changed, then this usually changes
Note that 10 whole divisions span across the the object dimension of the eyepiece graticule, thus
graticule; i.e. 10 x 10 pm. necessitating recalibration.
Figure 8.2 illustrates a Walton-Beckett graticule.

figure B.l - Superimposed eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer

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Figure B.2 - Walton-Beckett graticule

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Annex C
(normative)

HSE/NPL test slide (Mark ll)21for the determination of the detection limit
when using phase contrast microscopy

C.l Description
Table Cl - Widths of test objects and
The standard NSE/NPL test slides consist of identical calculated maximum phase change induced in
epoxy replicas (with a refractive index of 1,581 of a light rays passing through test objects of
master slide produced and certified by the National HSE/NPL test slide
Physical Laboratory (U.K.). The epoxy replicas are Ridge Maximum calculated phase
mounted on a glass slide of dimensions Block width change (in degrees) for light
75mmx25mmx1,2mm or 75mmx25mmx number rays’) passing through test
pm objects
0,8 mm, and covered by a coverslip 0,17 mm thick
with a layer of another resin with a refractive index
of I,49 in-between. The test objects consist of a se- 1 1,08 66
ries of seven blocks of ridges of length 8,5 mm filled 2 0,77 4.7
with a resin of refractive index I,49 in a medium of 3 0.64 3.9
refractive index 1,58. The ridges have a V-shaped 4 0,53 32
profile and have a height to width ratio of about 0,l. 5 0.44 2.7
The blocks are separated by gaps 20 pm wide. A set
of four deep marker ridges is placed on either side of 6 0,36 22

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
the array and a further two sets of two marker ridges, 7 0,25 1,5
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spaced at an interval of 120 pm, intersect the array

at right angles. The zone of the test objects to be 1) Wavelength: 530 nm
used is delineated by the rectangle bounded by these
marker ridges. This zone can easily be located as the
field of view in which it is found, and is engraved on C.2 Method of use
the coverslip. This is illustrated in figureC.l. The
widths of the ridges within each block and the calcu- Set up the microscope for phase contrast microscopy
lated phase change (in degrees), associated with the as recommended for the membrane filter method
maximum path difference in light rays passing through (see 4.2.1).
the test objects, are given in table C.I.
Locate block I (the coarsest set, see tableC.l) of the
test objects and move the slide to observe adjacent
blocks. Determine the block of the finest ridges that
can be distinguished. It is unlikely that all seven blocks
of ridges will be detected using optical phase contrast
techniques, even on the best research microscope.
On the basis of present information, a satisfactory
system will detect block 5.

2) HSE/NPL test slide (Mark II) is the trade-name of a product supplied by PTR OPTICS, Unit D9, Cross Green Approach, Cross
Green Industrial Estate, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS OSG, England. This information is given for the convenience of users of this
InternationalStandardand does not constitute an endorsement by IS0 of the product named. Equivalentproducts may be used
if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

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Dimensions in millimetres

Test sllde (75 x 25)

Epoxy-rerln rcpllca /
cover slip

Enlarged fleld of view

20 llnes per set (85 hIghI

//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\
Figure C.1 - HSE/NPL test slide

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Annex D
(informative)

Examples of sampling strategy

D.l Terminology fied as short-term, sampling is assumed to be of at

least 1 h duration:
D.l.l occupational sampling: Sampling conducted
so that the results are representative of the worker’s D.2 Strategy
exposure to fibres under typical working conditions for
a full shift. Sampling procedures should not interfere D.2.1 General principles
with the activities of the worker.
Occupational exposure measurements are carried out
D.1.2 worker’s breathing zone: Consists of a to meet one or both of two major objectives:
hemisphere of 300 mm radius extending in front of
the face, and measured from the midpoint of a line a) to assess exposure relative to an occupational hy-
bisecting the ears. giene standard and to enable better control meas-
In order to estimate the worker’s exposure, samples ures to be implemented;
should be taken in the worker’s breathing zone.
b) to provide estimates of exposure for epidemi-
D.1.3 personal sample: Sample taken within the ological investigations of morbidity and mortality.
worker’s breathing zone. Usually the filter is fastened It is well-known that the concentrations vary widely
to the lapel of the worker’s jacket with the cowl both within a single day and from day to day. Most
pointing downwards. The worker carries the pump on regulations and hygiene standards require a reliable
a belt or in a pocket. estimate of exposure on a particular day. It is more
useful for epidemiology to spread the sampling effort
D.1.4 static sample: Sample taken at fixed locations over a number of days, i.e. less will be known about
with the cowl pointing downwards. They are not rec- a single day, but more about the average exposure
ommended for the measurement of personal occu- over a working lifetime. Since sampling often serves
pational exposure. both purposes, the sampling schemes presented in
Point sources create considerable concentration gra- this method emphasize the single day estimate. It
dients, thus causing the results of static sampling to should also be recognized that variations in individual
vary considerably over short distances. However, working practices result in a distribution of exposure
static sampling can be useful if the dust is proven to values within any working group. Consequently, data
be uniformly distributed over large areas. from one person cannot be assumed to be represen-
tative of the total working group. Any transfer of data
D.1.5 single sample duration: The actual time dur- should, therefore, be validated by appropriate relative
ing which a single sample is collected. measurements.

D.1.6 total sample duration: The sum of single D.2.2 Sampling scheme
sample durations taken during one shift (see D.2.3)
on one person. There are a number of possible sampling schemes,
some of which are listed for guidance in tables D.l
D.1.7 short-term sample: Sample with a single and D.2. As the schemes vary in the degree of use-
sample duration of less than 1 h (see 3.8). fulness and precision in estimating exposure, tables
D.l and D.2 should be interpreted in association with
The short-term sample was defined because it is the qualifying conditions and cautions presented in
necessary to refer to this special case. Unless speci- D.2.3 and D.2.4.

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IS0 8672:1993(E)

Table D.l - Long-term sampling scheme

I
Sampling schamr Number of sampln par shift Total umpllng duration

Full-shift consecutive samplrlsl

-GWA 2 or more approx. full shift
TvpeB 1 approx. full shift

Partial-shift consacutivo sample(s)

-hpe C 2 or more 2 h or greater
Type D 1 1 h or greater

Table D.2 - Short-term sampling scheme

Sampling scheme Number of samples par shift Total sampling duration

Random sampler I I
5 or more taken randomly 1 h or greater
TypeE throughout the working day I

Systsmatlc samples
1 or more plus continuous rela-
tive measurement, or 2 or more 1 h or greater
Type F taken during each separate
phase of a cyclical operation

In planning a sampling scheme, it is important to de- measured, the concentration of non-fibrous dust and
termine the requirements of the analytical method. This may
result in more than one single sample being required.
- the estimation period during which the exposure The total sample duration should never be less than
is estimated; 1 h.

- the.total sample duration; Subclauses 3.6 and 3.8 detail acceptable minimum
and maximum loadings of fibres on the filter, which
- the number of samples. dictate the range of possible sampling times for dif-
ferent air-borne fibre concentrations. Samples of short
To assess the worker’s full shift exposure, every ef- duration may be necessary if high background levels
fort shall be made to ensure that the samples relate of particulate matter or fibres which would prevent

--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
to a whole working day. Care should be taken to en- accurate analysis are present.
sure that the sampling period is not biased by abnor-
mal conditions. D.2.4 Reliability of sampling schemes
Short-term samples should be taken at random (stat-
istically) throughout the whole working day. If sam- The main strength and limitations of the various sam-
ples cannot be selected from the entire working day, pling schemes, types A to F listed in tables D.l and
the measurement results are valid only for the dura- D-2, are as follows.
tion of the period from which the measurements
were selected. However, relative measurements and D.2.4.1 Type A sampling scheme, two or more
reliable professional judgement can sometimes be samples covering the full working shift.
used to make inferences about concentrations during This permits the most reliable estimate of exposure
other portions of the day. Reliable knowledge of the to be made. When several samples are taken, the
operation is essential when making such extrapo- average of the errors is usually less than the single
lations. (percentage) error in a single full-shift sample. Occa-
sional gross errors (such as miscalculations, contam-
D.2.3 Total sampling duration and number ination, incorrect sample timing, etc.) are more likely
of samples to be detected by type A than by type B.
Sample duration is influenced primarily by the reason NOTE 2 Systematic errors, e.g. flowrate inaccuracy,
for sampling, the level of fibre concentration to be should still be taken into account in the normal manner.

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D.2.4.2 Type B sampling scheme, one full-shift This may give an acceptable indication of exposure
sample. but is generally more wasteful of resources and is the
least precise of the above schemes. Note that an
This is not as reliable as type A, because gross errors even poorer estimate results when the “average”
can escape detection unless evidence from previous dust concentration increases or decreases markedly
sampling is available on which to base a judgement. throughout the day. This scheme should be applied
with caution.
D.2.4.3 Type C sampling scheme two or more
samples covering part of the full shift, i.e. 2 h or D.2.4.6 Type F sampling scheme, several short-
greater but less than the full shift. term systematic samples taken during each separate
phase of an operation.
This can be satisfactory if the partial shift is re-
presentative of the full shift. This can be used by experienced industrial hygienists
to characterize a workplace. This approach should not
D.2.4.4 Type D sampling scheme, one sample, be used indiscriminately, particularly by persons not
1 h or greater but less than full shift. completely familiar with the process. Nor should it be
used to estimate time-weighted-average exposure,
This is similar to type C except that gross errors may unless the results are verified by continuous relative
escape detection. measurements or other methods (see D.2.2).
D.2.4.5 Type E sampling scheme, five or more
short term samples, taken randomly throughout the
full shift.

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

Annex E
(informative)

Fiowrate calibration and corrections

//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\
E.l General V . . . (E.1)
qc = 7
Internal and external flowmeters should be calibrated where
with a primary calibration device. A method of cali-
bration of the commonly used variable area flowmeter V is the volume of the burette, in cubic
(i.e. rotameter) using the soap film flowmeter is de- centimetres;
scribed in this annex.
t is the average time, in minutes, required
for the bubble to traverse the tube.
E.2 Procedure
Repeat the first nine steps of the procedure and the
Choose an accurate burette (or similar) of capacity calculation until the desired flowrate has been
300 cm3 to 1 000 cm3. Attach a tube to the bottom reached within 5 %.
of the burette, and then clamp it into a stand in an
inverted vertical position. NOTE 3 Theoreticalty,the water vapour content of the
air in the soap film flowmeter should be taken into con-
Set up the sampling pump equipped with connecting sideration when determining the “true” flowrate. However,
tube, filter holder and filter as used in the field. for practical purposes, acceptable accuracy is maintained
without this correction.
Connect the soap film flowmeter. Ensure that the
system is leak-proof. It is advisable to rinse the If the external or internal variable area flowmeter is
burette thoroughly in water immediately before the used under temperature conditions which differ from
test. This removes accumulated detergent and also those used during calibration, it is generally not poss-
assists in wetting the inside of the burette. ible to calculate the different flowrate that will inevi-
tably result.
Switch on the pump and adjust the flowrate according
to the internal flowmeter (if fitted). As all air sampling measurements are concerned only
with volumetric flowrate (i.e. flowrate measured and
Partly fill a beaker or Petri dish with water plus the expressed at the prevailing temperature and pressure)
minimum amount of detergent necessary to permit and not mass flowrate (i.e. flowrate corrected to
bubbles to be formed. standard temperature and pressure conditions), re-
By momentarily placing the beaker against the bottom calibration of the pump flowrate is essential if it is
of the soap film flowmeter, create a bubble that will operated under conditions substantially different from
travel the entire length of the burette without burst- those of calibration. “Substantial” implies a difference
ing. in altitude or temperature of more than 500 m or
15 *C respectively compared to the calibration condi-
With a stop watch, measure accurately the time that tions.
the bubble requires to traverse the tube between its
extreme graduated ends. EXAMPLE

Repeat the last two steps and at least twice, until During the calibration of a pump with an internal
good repeatability of the times is achieved. flowmeter, a soap film flowmeter of 1 000 cm3 vol-
ume gave an average of 63,4 s for the bubble to
Average the times, and calculate the true volumetric traverse its length. What is the flowrate under these
flowrate, qc, in cubic centimetres per minute, under conditions? Using equation (E.l):
calibration conditions appropriate to the sampling
conditions, as follows: V 1 000 = 946 cm3/min
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

a=,= 63,4/60

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Burette

a II rllrer nUcU.,

G-’ Pump

fl
Water and detergent Internal flowmeter
--`,,```,,,,````-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

Figure E.l - Flowrate calibration apparatus

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Annex F
(informative)

Measurement of exposed fitter area

This annex describes a convenient way of determin- ficient to provide a good estimate of the exposed filter
ing the area of the dust deposit (i.e. the exposed filter diameter.
area).
At least three individual filters shall be prepared and
Place a small quantity of dark coloured fine dust (e.g. the mean area calculated.
carbon, cement or road dust) in a 2 litre to 5 litre
container with a lid. Provided that the three filter diameters do not differ
by more than 1 mm, an arithmetic average should be
Shake the container, remove the lid and draw air taken and the area calculated in the usual manner.
through a membrane filter and its holder until the air- This area is then the exposed filter area to be used for
borne dust in the container forms an obvious deposit calculations in this method.
on the filter.
If the measured filter diameters differ by more than
Remove the filter from the holder, and mount onto a 1 mm, close attention should be paid to the sampling
//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\

microscope slide as described in annex A. of the dust or to the filter clearing technique.
Measure at least four different diameters of the re- It is necessary to repeat the measurement of the ef-
sultant dust spot to within 0,2 mm Amongst other fective filter area if the type of filter or holder, or if any
methods, microprojection measurement, or the use aspect relating to filter clearing, is changed.
of microscope object stage verniers have been found
satisfactory. It is advisable to repeat the entire measurement pro-
cedure every 12 months, to ensure that the correct
Provided that the measured diameters differ by no effective filter area is known.
more than 1 mm, a simple arithmetic average is suf-

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Annex G
(informative)

Dust sampling record

All data necessary for the determination of the fibre l normal,

concentration should be recorded on a sampling re-
cord. Furthermore, all available data which may be of l abnormal;
value for epidemiological studies should be included.
- material:
G.l Sampling details . type,
Instrument type and number. l size,
Flowrate, initial, intermediate and final. l conditions, etc.;
Duration. - airflow:
Sampling scheme used. l worker in dust airflow, yes/no,
Date, hour. l obvious influence on adjoining working
places.
Sampled by.
Methods of dust control:
G.2 Sampling place details
- exhaust ventilation;
Designation.
- other methods;
Harmful substances.
- visual impression.
Types of asbestos, quartz, etc.
Number of employees for which the measuring
Brief description of working process. value is representative.

Variable parameters which can exercise an influ- Personal protection yes/no, type.
ence on dust formation.
Hours per shift.
Work practices:
Days per week.
- working conditions:
An example of a dust sampling record follows.

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 IS0 8872:1993(E)

DUST SAMPLING RECORD(Example only)

Place of measurement Date

Measurlng point/Name
Code No. Text In clear
Dimension of workplace -z 5Om3 50 m3 to 500 m3 500 m3 to 5 000 m3 3 5000m3
El cl El El

//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\
Exhaust ventllatlon yes no
0 I
Sltuatlon representative
q yes I no below average
Dust concentration aboveaverage
0 cl
Vlsual lmpresslon goocl qulte good bad
El El I
Number of employees worklng at thls worklng place :

Respirators are worn yes no SometImes Type

El cl El
Draught durlng measurement no yes
III III
Measured In the dust-laden alr flow yes no
El El
AdjoInIng working places are Influenced no yes Measurlng point No.
cl cl
Measurement was done
q personal
0
static

Samplfng device Atmospheric pressure mbar

I 1 El

Alr flow-rate Tlme started Tlme ended

El

Sampling scheme used

Sample No. Sampllng tlme ImInI Total flow Worklrg phase flbres/cm3

I 1

I J

Average value

Harmful substances Chrysollte Crocldollte

q Amoslte

l-l Cluartz
I (other)
Other flbres Glass flbre Mlneral wool
cl 0 (other)

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

Annex H
(informative)

Microscope adjustment procedure

Good quality phase-contrast microscope equipment condenser. Centre the diaphragm and re-open it to
should be used as detailed in 4.2.1. The equipment fill the field of view.
should be maintained in first-class condition and most
manufacturers operate a routine maintenance service f) Observe the back focal plane of the objective, us-
which includes the stripping down and cleaning of all ing either a Bertrand lens fitted to the body of the
optical components and the replacement of worn microscope or by removing the eyepiece and us-
traverse mechanisms. Such services should be used ing an auxiliary telescope.
unless skilled maintenance services can be provided
by counting-laboratory staff. g) Observe the image of the bulb (removing the dif-
fusing disc if one is fitted) and centre the bulb
In general, the following setting-up procedure should filament, focussing the bulb if possible with the
be adopted to obtain Kijhler illumination and good adjustment provided. The image of the bulb fila-
phase-contrast conditions. However, the details may ment should fill the back focal plane of the objec-
vary according to the manufacturer’s instructions and tive. Reinsert the diffusing disc if appropriate.
the type of equipment.
NOTE 5 If the bulb cannot be focussed, adjust to give
a) Place the membrane filter specimen slide on the uniform bright illumination.
microscope stage.
h) Insert the correct phase annulus into the con-
b) Open both the illuminator diaphragm (often re- denser system and centre this using the appropri-
ferred to as the field iris) and the substage con- ate adjusting screws so that the phase plate in the
denser diaphragm. objective and the image of the annulus coincide
exactly. If necessary, adjust slightly the condenser
NOTE 4 At this stage the phase annuli should not be focussing. Ensure that the bright annulus image
inserted. These are usually placed in a rotating drum does not extend beyond the phase ring.
fitted into the substage condenser unit.
i) Revert to normal viewing and change to the x 40
c) Raise the condenser to its upper limit, usually objective with no phase annuli in the condenser
within 1 mm of the lower face of the specimen system. Close down the field diaphragm and re-
slide. focus this by appropriate adjustment of the con-
denser. Re-centre if necessary and re-open to fill
d) Using a convenient level of illumination and the the field of view.
x 10 objective, focus the specimen.
j) Repeat steps f) and h) after inserting the phase
e) Close down the illuminator diaphragm and focus annulus appropriate to the x 40 objective.
this in the field of view by lowering and raising the
k) Revert to normal viewing.
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Copyright International Organization for Standardization 23

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 IS0 8872:1993(E)

Annex J
(informative)

Example of a dust counting record

DUST COUNTING RECORD (exampLeonLy)

Iounted by :
late :
Ilcroscope No. : (1
jratlcule type : Area mm *

l-bundles
I(-backgroundnotokay

P&X +xF= n 1-1 fibres/cm3

e

n special circumstances it is of value to record the number of flbres contained In individual fields of counting.

IXAMPLE
Sample No.

c=&+xF= 8 I] fibres/cm”

C Is the concentration, in flbres per cubic centimetre

N = Pnt is the total number of flbres counted
n = fncf is the number of flelds counted
A is the effective filter area, in square milllmetres
a is the area of the counting field. in square mlllimetres
V is the total flow, in cubic centimetres

F n $- (constant factor)

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)

Annex K
(informative)

Bibliography

The method described in this International Standard c31 CRAWFORD, N.P. The United Kingdom Central
has been derived from the following three major Reference Scheme for Airborne Asbestos Fibre
sources. Evaluation.
The rationalization of the many variants used in the
asbestos industry, discussed at the Cannes Confer- r-41 BURDETT, G.J., KENNY,L.C., OGDEN,T.L., ROOD,
A.?., SHENTON-TAYLOR,T, TARRY, R. and
ence[lI and exemplified in the Asbestos International VAUGHAN, N.P. Problems of Fibre Counting and
Association’s publicatiot+I. its Automation, Proceedings of Occupational
The many experiments carried out in British labora- Health Conference 1982 on Biological Effects
tories when setting up their Central Reference of Man-Made Mineral Fibres, Regional Office for
Scheme [31[41. Europe, World Health Organization,
Copenhagen, (1982).
The experiments carried out in European and
Canadian laboratories as well as in one U.S. laboratory L-51Anon., Effects of Counting Rule Packages on
in 1981-1982, under the sponsorship of the Canada- the level and Reproducibility of Asbestos Fibre
European Communities Metals and Minerals Working Counts Canada-European Communities Metals
Group - Asbestos[al. and Minerals Working Group - Asbestos.

Cl] Anon., Proceedings of the 3rd Colloquium on i-63 Anon., Methods of Monitoring and Evaluating
Dust Measurement Technique and Strategy, Airborne Man-Made Mineral Fibres, report on a
Cannes (France), June 1 O-l 2, 1980; Assoc. WHO Consultation, Copenhagen, 29 April-
FranCaise de I’Amiante, Paris, France, (Novem- 1 May, 1980; Regional Office for Europe, World
ber 1980). Health Organization, Copenhagen, (1981).

[2] Anon., Reference Method for the Determination r-71 WALTON,W.H. The Nature Hazards and Assess-
of Airborne Asbestos Fibre Concentrations at ment of Occupational Exposure to Airborne
Workplaces by Light Microscopy RTM 1, Asbestos Dust - A Review, Annals of Occupa-
Asbestos International Association. tional Hygiene, Volume 25, (19821, pp. 117-247.
//^:^^#^~^^"~~:~"~$$"~$^"#:*~^$$"$~"^~~~#:^~~":^*#^#"\\

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 IS0 8672:1993(E)
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UDC 614.715:331.82:543.275.3-037.41.5
Descriptors: air, quality, workplaces, airborne wastes, fibres, dust, tests, determination, particle density (concentration), microscopic
analysis.

Price based on 25 aaaes

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