Proposed Analysis Test identifies strontium in gypsum.
Press Release Summary:
Proposed ASTM standard - ASTM WK28941, Test Method for Determination of Strontium Concentration in Gypsum by Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence - focuses on testing for strontium in wallboard. Being developed by Subcommittee C11.01 on Specifications and Test Methods for Gypsum Products, standard enables inspectors to reliably, quickly, and nondestructively determine strontium concentration as part of home inspection performed to identify problem drywall.
Original Press Release:
Proposed New ASTM Standard Provides Test for Analysis of Strontium in Gypsum
W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.-Several years ago, a housing boom followed by recovery from damage caused by Hurricane Katrina and other storms created a surge in the use of imported drywall in the United States, particularly in the southeastern area of the country. However, since then, there have been a number of complaints concerning corrosion and odors in homes in which some of this drywall was used.
Interim guidance offered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that the analysis of strontium in drywall core can be corroborating evidence in identifying affected drywall board in homes. A proposed new ASTM standard, ASTM WK28941, Test Method for Determination of Strontium Concentration in Gypsum by Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence, focuses on a means of testing strontium in wallboard. ASTM WK28941 is being developed by Subcommittee C11.01 on Specifications and Test Methods for Gypsum Products, part of ASTM International Committee C11 on Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems.
According to Matthew Kreiner, senior applications engineer, Oxford Instruments, and a C11 member, primary users of the proposed new standard are certified home inspectors and the homeowners, insurance companies and municipalities that hire home inspectors to perform these tests.
"The proposed standard will provide the means for an inspector to reliably, quickly and nondestructively determine the concentration of strontium in drywall as part of a comprehensive home inspection performed to identify problem drywall," says Kreiner. "Field portable, hand-held XRF analyzers have been for many years invaluable tools for the inspection of restricted or harmful elements in many industries including consumer products, electronics and soil, and provide an excellent method for analyzing drywall core."
ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit http://www.astm.org/JOIN.
ASTM International is one of the largest international standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for the development of international standards: coherence, consensus, development dimension, effectiveness, impartiality, openness, relevance and transparency. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems and commercial transactions.
View this release on the ASTM Web site at www.astmnewsroom.org.
ASTM Committee C11 Next Meeting: Nov. 15-17, November Committee Week, San Antonio, Texas
Technical Contact: Matthew Kreiner, Oxford Instruments, Concord, Mass., Phone: 978-369-9933; matthew.kreiner@oxinst.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Thomas O'Toole, Phone: 610-832-9739; totoole@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org
