Designation: D5466 − 15Standard Test Method forDetermination of Volatile Organic Compounds inAtmospheres (Canister Sampling Methodology) 1This standard is issued under the f i xed designation D5466; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This standard describes a procedure for sampling andanalysis of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inambient, indoor, and workplace atmospheres. The test methodis based on the collection of whole air samples in stainless steelcanisters with specially treated (passivated) interior surfaces.For sample analysis, a portion of the sample is subsequentlyremoved from the canister and the collected VOCs are selec-tively concentrated by adsorption or condensation onto a trap,subsequently released by thermal desorption, separated by gaschromatography, and measured by a mass spectrometric detec-tor or other detector(s). This test method describes proceduresfor sampling into canisters to f i nal pressures both above andbelow atmospheric pressure (respectively referred to as pres-surized and subatmospheric pressure sampling). 21.2 This test method is applicable to specif i c VOCs thathave been determined to be stable when stored in canisters.Numerous compounds, many of which are chlorinated VOCs,have been successfully tested for storage stability in pressur-ized canisters (1-4). 3 Documentation is also available demon-strating stability of VOCs in subatmospheric pressure canis-ters. Information on storage stability is available for manypolar compounds as well (5-7).1.3 The procedure for collecting the sample involves the useof inlet lines, air f i lters, f l ow rate regulators for obtainingtime-integrated samples, and in the case of pressurizedsamples, an air pump. Typical long-term f i xed location canistersamplers have been designed to automatically start and stop thesample collection process using electronically actuated valvesand timers (8-10). Temporary or short-term canister samplersmay require the user to manually start and stop samplecollection. A weatherproof shelter may be required if thesampler is used outdoors. For the purposes of this test method,refer to Practice D1357 for practices and planning ambientsampling events.1.4 The organic compounds that have been successfullymeasured at single-digit parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv)levels with this test method are listed in Table 1. The testmethod is applicable to VOC concentrations ranging from thedetection limit to approximately 300 ppbv. Above thisconcentration, smaller sample aliquots of sample gas may beanalyzed or samples can be diluted with dry ultra-high-puritynitrogen or air.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard. No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Safety practicesshould be part of the user’s SOP manual.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards: 4D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis ofAtmospheresD1357 Practice for Planning the Sampling of the AmbientAtmosphereE355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relation-ships2.2 EPA Documents: 5EPA600/R-96/010b Compendium of Methods for the Deter-mination to Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air,Method TO-14A1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on AirQuality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air.Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2015. Published June 2016. Originallyapproved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D5466 – 01 (2007).DOI: 10.1520/D5466-15.2 This test method is based on EPA Compendium Method TO-14, “TheDetermination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Ambient Air UsingSUMMA Passivated Canister Sampling and Gas Chromatographic Analysis,” May1988.3 The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthe standard.4 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.5 Produced by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Availablefrom U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Port RoyalRoad, Springf i eld, VA 22161, http://www.cpa.gov/ttn/amtic/airtox.html.Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.1
