scope:

This document specifies a number of suitable methods for preparing test solutions from samples of airborne particulate matter collected using the method specified in ISO 15202-1, for subsequent determination of metals and metalloids by ICP‑AES using the method specified in ISO 15202-3. It contains information about the applicability of the methods with respect to the measurement of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set. The methods can also be used in the measurement of some metals and metalloids for which limit values have not been set but no information about its applicability is provided in this case.

NOTE The sample preparation methods described in this document are generally suitable for use with analytical techniques other than ICP‑AES, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) by ISO 8518^[5] and ISO 11174^[10] and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) by ISO 30011^[11].

The method specified in Annex B is applicable when making measurements for comparison with limit values for soluble metal or metalloid compounds.

One or more of the sample dissolution methods specified in Annexes C through H are applicable when making measurements for comparison with limit values for total metals and metalloids and their compounds. Information on the applicability of individual methods is given in the scope of the annex in which the method is specified.

The following is a non-exclusive list of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set (see References ^[14] and ^[15]) and for which one or more of the sample dissolution methods specified in this document are applicable. However, there is no information available on the effectiveness of any of the specified sample dissolution methods for those elements in italics.

Aluminium Calcium Magnesium Selenium Tungsten

Antimony Chromium Manganese Silver Uranium

Arsenic Cobalt Mercury Sodium Vanadium

Barium Copper Molybdenum Strontium Yttrium

Beryllium Hafnium Nickel Tantalum Zinc

Bismuth Indium Phosphorus Tellurium Zirconium

Boron Iron Platinum Thallium

Caesium Lead Potassium Tin

Cadmium Lithium Rhodium Titanium

ISO 15202 is not applicable to the determination of elemental mercury or arsenic trioxide, since mercury vapour and arsenic trioxide vapour are not collected using the sampling method specified in ISO 15202-1.

^[5] ISO 8518, Workplace air - Determination of particulate lead and lead compounds - Flame or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method

^[10] ISO 11174, Workplace air - Determination of particulate cadmium and cadmium compounds - Flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method

^[11] ISO 30011, Workplace air - Determination of metals and metalloids in airborne particulate matter by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

^[14] ACGIH Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents; biological exposure indices. American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, OH (updated annually). Available (2011‑05‑10)

^[15] European Commission. Commission Directive 2006/15/EC of 7 February 2006 establishing a second list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of Council Directive 98/24/EC and amending Directives 91/322/EEC and 2000/39/EC. Off. J. Eur. Commun. 2006, L38, pp. 36-39. Available (2011‑05‑10)