What is ISO 15202‑1 about?
ISO 15202‑1 discusses workplace air. When working with metals, workers are exposed to metal particles in the air. Testing and sampling ensure that the levels of metal and metalloid particles in the air are at acceptable limits. ISO 15202‑1 specifies a method for collecting samples of airborne particulate matter for subsequent determination of metals and metalloids using inductively coupled plasma — atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Samples obtained using the method described can also be subsequently analysed for elemental composition by other instrumental methods, such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
The method is applicable to the personal sampling of the inhalable, thoracic or respirable fraction of airborne particles, as defined in ISO 7708, and to static sampling.
Note1: The method is not applicable to the sampling of mercury, which is present in air in the vapour phase at ambient temperatures; inorganic compounds of metals and metalloids that are permanent gases, or inorganic compounds of metals and metalloids that are present in the vapour phase at ambient temperatures.
Note2: This document excludes sampling of surfaces or bulk materials. Guidance on the collection of samples for surfaces may be found in ASTM D7659.
Who is ISO 15202‑1 for?
ISO 15202‑1 on the determination of metals and metalloids in airborne particulate matter is useful for:
- Industrial users of metals and metalloids and their workers
- Health and safety agencies
- Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals
- Analytical laboratories
Why should you use ISO 15202‑1?
The health of workers in many industries is at risk through exposure by inhalation of toxic metals and metalloids. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers' exposure, and this is generally achieved by making workplace air measurements.
ISO 15202‑1 gives details of relevant International, European and National Standards which specify characteristics, performance requirements and test methods relating to sampling equipment. ISO 15202‑1 also augments guidance provided elsewhere on assessment strategy and measurement strategy, as well as specifying a method for collecting samples of airborne particulate matter for subsequent chemical analysis.
The samples collected using the method described in ISO 15202‑1 will help in the determination of metals and metalloids in workplace air in the subsequent parts of the ISO 15202 series.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS ISO 15202‑1:2020 replaces the second edition ISO 15202‑1:2012, which has been technically revised. The main changes in BS ISO 15202‑1:2020 compared to ISO 15202‑1:2012 are as follows:
- Definitions that appear in ISO 18158 have been removed from this document, with ISO 18158 being added as a reference (replacing references to EN 1540)
- References to EN 482 have been replaced with ISO 20581, and references to EN 13890 have been replaced with ISO 21832
- Information regarding sampling pumps has been replaced with ISO 13137
