ASTM D6044-21
Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media

Standard No.

ASTM D6044-21

Release Date

2021

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM D6044-21

Scope

1.1 This guide covers the definition of representativeness in environmental sampling, identifies sources that can affect representativeness (especially bias), and describes the attributes that a representative sample or a representative set of samples should possess. For convenience, the term “representative sample” is used in this guide to denote both a representative sample and a representative set of samples, unless otherwise qualified in the text. 1.2 This guide outlines a process by which a representative sample may be obtained from a population. The purpose of the representative sample is to provide information about a statistical parameter(s) (such as mean) of the population regarding some characteristic(s) (such as concentration) of its constituent(s) (such as lead). This process includes the following stages: (1) minimization of sampling bias and optimization of precision while taking the physical samples, (2) minimization of measurement bias and optimization of precision when analyzing the physical samples to obtain data, and (3) minimization of statistical bias when making inferences from the sample data to the population. While both bias and precision are covered in this guide, major emphasis is given to bias reduction. 1.3 This guide describes the attributes of a representative sample and presents a general methodology for obtaining representative samples. It does not, however, provide specific or comprehensive sampling procedures. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that proper and adequate procedures are used. 1.4 The assessment of the representativeness of a sample is not covered in this guide since it is not possible to ever know the true value of the population. 1.5 Since the purpose of each sampling event is unique, this guide does not attempt to give a step-by-step account of how to develop a sampling design that results in the collection of representative samples. 1.6 Appendix X1 contains two case studies which discuss the factors for obtaining representative samples. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM D6044-21 Referenced Document

• ASTM D3370 Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
• ASTM D4448 Standard Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
• ASTM D4547 Standard Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organic Compounds
• ASTM D4823 Standard Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsolidated Sediments
• ASTM D5088 Standard Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Nonradioactive Waste Sites
• ASTM D5681 Standard Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
• ASTM D5792 Standard Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Related to Waste Management Activities: Development of Data Quality Objectives
• ASTM D5956 Standard Guide for Sampling Strategies for Heterogeneous Wastes
• ASTM D6051 Standard Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsampling for Environmental Waste Management Activities
• ASTM D6169 Standard Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investigations
• ASTM D6286 Standard Guide for Selection of Drilling Methods for Environmental Site Characterization
• ASTM D6634 Standard Guide for the Selection of Purging and Sampling Devices for Ground-Water Monitoring Wells*， 2024-04-22 Update
• ASTM D6771 Standard Practice for Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Used for Groundwater Monitoring*， 2021-11-01 Update
• ASTM D7929 Standard Guide for Selection of Passive Techniques for Sampling Groundwater Monitoring Wells

ASTM D6044-21 history

• 2021 ASTM D6044-21 Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
• 1996 ASTM D6044-96(2015) Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
• 1996 ASTM D6044-96(2009) Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
• 1996 ASTM D6044-96(2003) Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
• 1996 ASTM D6044-96 Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media