What is BS EN 17346 about?
BS EN 17346 discusses ambient air that determines the concentration of ammonia using diffusive samplers. BS EN 17346 specifies a method for the sampling and analysis of NH3 in ambient air using diffusive sampling.
BS EN 17346 can be used for NH3 measurements at ambient levels, but the concentration range and exposure time are sampler dependent, and the end-user is therefore advised to match the sampler type to the measurement requirement and to follow the operating instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Who is BS EN 17346 for?
BS EN 17346 on ambient air is useful for:
- Manufacturers of pharmaceutical products
- Manufacturers of commercial cleaning products
- Chemical testing laboratories
- Chemical scientists
Why should you use BS EN 17346?
Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is a pollutant of major environmental concern with adverse effects on forests, species composition of semi-natural ecosystems and soils. Emission and deposition of NH3 can contribute significantly to total nitrogen deposition to the environment, contributing to eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) and acidification (oxidation of NH3 to nitrate resulting in the release of H+ ions) of land and freshwaters, leading to a reduction in both soil and water quality, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem change.
NH3 is the major precursor for neutralization of atmospheric acids, affecting the long-range transport distance of both SO2 and NOx and leading to the formation of secondary particles (primarily ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate). These particles have multiple impacts including effects on atmospheric visibility, radiative scattering (and the greenhouse effect) and on human health. BS EN 17346 provides a standard method that helps for sampling and analysis of NH3 in ambient air using diffusive sampling.
