🌿 Antimony and its compounds in workplace air — membrane and paper filter, digestion with hydrochloric and nitric acid, flame or hydride atomic absorption spectrometry; lowest determinable concentration according to the standard 0.125 mg/m³, MAC (NDS) 0.5 mg/m³ (as Sb); PN-Z-04146-3:2006 (withdrawn 11-10-2022)
In short
Polish standard of 2006 with a method for determining antimony and its compounds in workplace air: the sample is collected on a membrane filter and a paper filter, digested with concentrated hydrochloric and nitric acid, and the solution is analysed by flame or hydride atomic absorption spectrometry; according to the PKN card the lowest determinable concentration is 0. The test is performed according to PN-Z-04146-3:2006; Ranges in accreditation scopes: from 0.0130 mg/m³ (AB 1144) to 2.55 mg/m³ (AB 1144); FAAS technique at all 5 laboratories. The procedure comprises 4 steps; it is used for: Workplace air — antimony and its inorganic compounds (except stibine) — in the current scopes of 5 laboratories, despite the withdrawal of the standard, Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 0.5 mg/m³ as Sb (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 26 of the list).
At a glance
- Standard: PN-Z-04146-3:2006
- Category: Environment
- Procedure steps: 4
- STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026): PN-Z-04146-3:2006 WITHDRAWN — withdrawal date 11-10-2022; the card names no replacing standard; the whole PN-Z-04146 series withdrawn
- Edition (from the PKN card): PN-Z-04146-3:2006, Polish version; published 19-05-2006, 9 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30
- Lowest determinable concentration (card): 0.125 mg/m³ — 25 % of the NDS
Overview
WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN card, in full: "A method is given consisting of adsorption of antimony and its compounds on a membrane filter and a paper filter, digestion of the sample with concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acid and analysis of the resulting solution by flame or hydride atomic absorption spectrometry. The lowest antimony concentration that can be determined by this method is 0.125 mg/m3" (our translation; spelling as on the card, no full stop at the end). We did not have the text of the standard (9 pages). The CIOP index of methods from 2000–2017 lists "Antimony – no. 3(25) 2000"; we did not read the article and give nothing from it.
NDS VALUE (list in the annex to the regulation of 26 March 2026, Journal of Laws 2026 item 447). Item 26: "Antimony [7440-36-0] and its inorganic compounds, except stibine – as Sb" — NDS 0.5 mg/m³, no NDSCh. The lowest determinable concentration according to the card, 0.125 mg/m³, is 25 % of the NDS.
STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026). The card of PN-Z-04146-3:2006 (Polish version) has the heading "Withdrawn": published 19-05-2006, withdrawal date 11-10-2022, 9 pages, price group E, Health, Environment and Medicine Sector, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30; the card does not name a replacing standard. The PKN search for "PN-Z-04146" and "antymonu" (04.10.2026) shows the whole series "Tests for antimony and its compounds content" labelled "Withdrawn": sheet 01:1985 (general provisions and scope), 02:1985 (colorimetric method), 3:2006 and 4:2005 (stibine, hydride AAS); it returns no current standard for antimony at workplaces. Sheets 02 and 4 are not cited by any laboratory in the database copy.
HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, data load up to 17.09.2026, read on 04.10.2026). The number 04146-3 (with a hyphen, dot or slash before the sheet number) appears in 5 records at 5 laboratories; in the current PCA documents (read on 03.10.2026; issues from 10.12.2025 to 28.07.2026 — all issued after the withdrawal of the standard) — in 5 rows at the same laboratories; a search of all PCA documents downloaded from the BIP found no laboratories outside the database copy; no item is suspended and no document repeats pages. All entries have the form "PN-Z-04146-3:2006"; AB 632 — together with instruction IB-13 issue 7 of 01.10.2023. The "Laboratories" tab (query "PN-Z-04146-3") shows all 5 laboratories — checked with a tab query on the production server labcoda.pl on 04.10.2026.
WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (database copy). Object: working environment — air, at 4 laboratories samples collected on filters. Quantity: concentration (content) of antimony and its inorganic compounds, except stibine — as Sb (at all 5 laboratories, i.e. as in the NDS list item). Ranges in mg/m³: 0.0130–2.55 (AB 1144), 0.015–1.46 (AB 886), 0.028–1.38 (AB 1642), 0.037–0.88 (AB 632), 0.04–2.0 (AB 1287 — range and technique from the PCA document, missing in the database copy); in the sample from 0.0050 mg (AB 1144). Technique: flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) — all 5 laboratories; none lists hydride AAS, which the card allows besides flame AAS.
WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — status: the standard has been withdrawn since 11-10-2022, and the PKN search shows no other standard for antimony; 5 laboratories have it in scopes issued from December 2025 — the client should know that the result is produced according to a standard withdrawn from the PKN catalogue. Second — limit of quantification: according to the card the lowest determinable concentration is 0.125 mg/m³; all laboratories give a lower bottom limit (from 0.0130 to 0.04 mg/m³), which requires conditions different from those in the standard — the report should name them. Third — what is determined: the card speaks of "antimony and its compounds", the NDS list of inorganic compounds except stibine; the laboratories record the latter, but whether the standard excludes organic compounds and stibine does not follow from the card. Fourth — stibine (antimony hydride) has a separate, also withdrawn sheet 4 in the series; a filter measurement does not cover it.
WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not have the text of the standard — we do not give the volume or flow rate of air sampling, the type of filters, the volume and proportions of acids, digestion conditions, wavelength, hydride generation conditions or calculations. We do not claim that another standard has replaced PN-Z-04146-3:2006 — PKN names none.
Method principle
Antimony and its compounds from workplace air are collected on a membrane filter and a paper filter, the sample is digested with concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acid, and the solution is analysed by flame or hydride atomic absorption spectrometry (PKN card). The result as Sb is compared with the NDS of 0.5 mg/m³; the lowest determinable concentration according to the card is 0.125 mg/m³. The standard is withdrawn (11-10-2022); WE DO NOT GIVE details — we did not have the text of the standard.
Applications
- Workplace air — antimony and its inorganic compounds (except stibine) — in the current scopes of 5 laboratories, despite the withdrawal of the standard
- Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 0.5 mg/m³ as Sb (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 26 of the list)
Key parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026) | PN-Z-04146-3:2006 WITHDRAWN — withdrawal date 11-10-2022; the card names no replacing standard; the whole PN-Z-04146 series withdrawn |
| Edition (from the PKN card) | PN-Z-04146-3:2006, Polish version; published 19-05-2006, 9 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30 |
| Lowest determinable concentration (card) | 0.125 mg/m³ — 25 % of the NDS |
| NDS (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 26) | antimony and its inorganic compounds, except stibine — 0.5 mg/m³ as Sb; no NDSCh |
| Ranges in accreditation scopes | from 0.0130 mg/m³ (AB 1144) to 2.55 mg/m³ (AB 1144); FAAS technique at all 5 laboratories |
| Coverage in accreditation scopes (read 04.10.2026) | 5 laboratories, 5 records in the database copy, 5 rows in PCA; "Laboratories" tab ("PN-Z-04146-3") — 5, the same on the production server |
Standard
- Standard number
- PN-Z-04146-3:2006
- Title (PL)
- Ochrona czystości powietrza — Badania zawartości antymonu i jego związków — Część 3: Oznaczanie antymonu i jego związków na stanowiskach pracy metodą absorpcyjnej spektrometrii atomowej
- Title (EN)
- Air purity protection — Tests for antimony and its compounds content — Part 3: Determination of antimony and its compounds at workplaces by atomic absorption spectrometry
Step-by-step procedure
-
Status
PN-Z-04146-3:2006 withdrawn on 11-10-2022, with no named successor (card as of 04.10.2026).
-
Sampling
On a membrane filter and a paper filter (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE volumes.
-
Digestion and measurement
Concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acid, then flame or hydride AAS (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE conditions.
-
Result and assessment
Concentration as Sb in mg/m³; comparison with the NDS of 0.5 mg/m³ (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447); lowest determinable concentration 0.125 mg/m³.
Required equipment and apparatus
| Equipment | Example | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic absorption spectrometer (flame or with hydride generator) | Determination (PKN card); in the laboratories' scopes — FAAS only | — |
| Air sampling set with a membrane filter and a paper filter | Sampling (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE volumes or flow rate | — |
Reagents, media and consumables
| Reagent | CAS | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Concentrated hydrochloric acid | — | For sample digestion (PKN card) |
| Concentrated nitric(V) acid | — | For sample digestion (PKN card) |
Health and safety (OHS)
- Concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acids — work in a fume hood, chemical laboratory safety rules
- TECHNICAL NOTE: standard withdrawn on 11-10-2022; a bottom limit below 0.125 mg/m³ requires conditions different from those in the standard
Frequently asked questions
Which standard describes this test?
The test is performed according to PN-Z-04146-3:2006 — “Air purity protection — Tests for antimony and its compounds content — Part 3: Determination of antimony and its compounds at workplaces by atomic absorption spectrometry”.
How does this method work?
Antimony and its compounds from workplace air are collected on a membrane filter and a paper filter, the sample is digested with concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acid, and the solution is analysed by flame or hydride atomic absorption spectrometry (PKN card). The result as Sb is compared with the NDS of 0.
What is the measuring range and accuracy?
STATUS (card as of 04.10.2026): PN-Z-04146-3:2006 WITHDRAWN — withdrawal date 11-10-2022; the card names no replacing standard; the whole PN-Z-04146 series withdrawn; Edition (from the PKN card): PN-Z-04146-3:2006, Polish version; published 19-05-2006, 9 pages, KT 159 Chemical and Dust Hazards in the Working Environment, ICS 13.040.30; Lowest determinable concentration (card): 0.125 mg/m³ — 25 % of the NDS; NDS (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 26): antimony and its inorganic compounds, except stibine — 0.5 mg/m³ as Sb; no NDSCh.
How long does the test take?
The procedure comprises 4 steps. The standard does not give a duration for every stage — the laboratory's own procedure decides.
What equipment is required?
Atomic absorption spectrometer (flame or with hydride generator), Air sampling set with a membrane filter and a paper filter.
Where is this test used?
Workplace air — antimony and its inorganic compounds (except stibine) — in the current scopes of 5 laboratories, despite the withdrawal of the standard; Assessment of occupational exposure against the NDS of 0.5 mg/m³ as Sb (Journal of Laws 2026 item 447, item 26 of the list).
What safety precautions apply?
Concentrated hydrochloric and nitric(V) acids — work in a fume hood, chemical laboratory safety rules; TECHNICAL NOTE: standard withdrawn on 11-10-2022; a bottom limit below 0.125 mg/m³ requires conditions different from those in the standard.
Which laboratory can perform this test?
The test is performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. On LabCoda you can find them by the standard number PN-Z-04146-3.