What is ISO 15202‑2 about?
ISO 15202‑2 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 15202‑2 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. ISO 15202‑2 contains information about the applicability of the methods with respect to the measurement of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set. ICP‑AES 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.
Note1: The sample preparation methods described in this document are generally suitable for use with analytical techniques other than ICP‑AES, for example, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) by ISO 8518 and ISO 11174 and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) by ISO 30011.
Note2: 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.
Who is ISO 15202‑2 for?
ISO 15202‑2 on the determination of metals and metalloids in airborne particulate matter is useful for:
- Agencies concerned with health and safety at work
- Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals
- Analytical laboratories
- Industrial users of metals and metalloids and their workers
Why should you use ISO 15202‑2?
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 15202‑2 describes a number of procedures for preparing sample solutions for analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‑AES). ISO 15202‑2 will guide you through the various sample dissolution procedures. Some of which are sample dissolution using nitric acid and hydrochloric acid on a hotplate, using hydrofluoric and nitric acids and ultrasonic agitation, using sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide on a hotplate etc. ISO 15202‑2 also specifies where these dissolution methods are applicable.
ISO 15202‑2 ensures that the samples are free from any interferences that might affect the analysis of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‑AES).
What’s changed since the last update?
BS ISO 15202‑2:2020 replaces ISO 15202‑2:2012, which has been technically revised. The main changes in BS ISO 15202‑2:2020 compared to ISO 15202‑2:2012 are as follows:
- Definitions that appear in ISO 18158 have been removed from ISO 15202‑2, 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 digestion of acid-soluble internal capsules has been added to Annexes C, D, E, F, G and H
- The text has been editorially updated
