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1.1 The Interstate Mercury Education and Reduction Clearinghouse (IMERC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are phasing out the use of mercury thermometers because of safety and environmental concerns. This guide was developed to support replacing mercury thermometers in D04 standards with appropriate electronic thermometers.

1.2 This guide provides assistance for the D04 subcommittees when selecting electronic thermometers for general use in water or oil baths and ovens and as possible replacements for Specification E1 mercury thermometers currently used in D04 road and paving standards. Guidance for using non-mercury liquid thermometers in place of mercury thermometers can be found in Specification E2251.

1.3 Some guidance is also provided for selecting a handheld infrared thermometer for use in field applications.

1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this guide.

1.5 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.

1.6 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.

4.1 General guidance is provided for electronic thermometers for general temperature measurements typically needed for D04 practices and test methods which need to monitor oven, water and oil bath, and material temperatures during drying, heating, aging, and mixing.

4.2 All ASTM standards under the management of the D04 Main Committee were individually reviewed, and a list of all Specification E1 mercury thermometers was prepared along with the required temperature range and information about the thermometer placement in each method.