🌿 Preparation of solutions for the determination of metals and metalloids in airborne particulate matter from workplace air — choice of the dissolution method according to the type of limit value: soluble compounds (Annex B), total metals and their compounds (Annexes C–H: HNO3 and HCl on a hotplate, HF and HNO3 with ultrasonic agitation, H2SO4 and H2O2, HNO3 and HClO4, closed-vessel microwave digestion, hot block at 95 °C), mixed exposure (B, then the undissolved residue by one of the methods C–H); checking recovery (at least 90 % with a coefficient of variation below 5 % according to ISO 21832), inclusion of sampler wall deposits, ISO 15202-2

Environment ISO 15202-2

Overview

WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. We read the text of the standard in the iTeh sample of SIST ISO 15202-2:2020, i.e. ISO 15202-2:2020 (third edition, English text): contents, foreword, introduction, Clauses 1–11 and Annex A (safety precautions for hydrofluoric and perchloric acids) — the sample ends on page 7. We do not read Annexes B–J, i.e. the dissolution methods themselves, the handling of undissolved residue and sampler wall deposits; we know their titles from the contents.

ACCORDING TO THE TEXT OF ISO 15202-2:2020. The standard was prepared by ISO/TC 146 “Air quality”, Subcommittee SC 2 “Workplace atmospheres”. The third edition replaces the second (ISO 15202-2:2012) after technical revision: definitions appearing in ISO 18158 were removed and ISO 18158 was referenced (instead of EN 1540), EN 482 was replaced by ISO 20581 and EN 13890 by ISO 21832; information on dissolving acid-soluble internal capsules was added to Annexes C–H; the text was editorially updated. Introduction: the health of workers in many industries is at risk from inhalation of toxic metals and metalloids, and the effectiveness of control measures is checked by workplace air measurements; the ISO 15202 series gives a generic method for determining the mass concentration of metals and metalloids by ICP-AES: Part 1 — sampling equipment, strategy and sampling, Part 2 — preparation of solutions, Part 3 — analysis; the preparation methods are generally suitable also for other techniques, e.g. AAS and ICP-MS. Scope (1): methods for preparing test solutions from samples of airborne particulate matter collected according to ISO 15202-1 for determination according to ISO 15202-3; with information on applicability for metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set; note: AAS according to ISO 8518 and ISO 11174, ICP-MS according to ISO 30011; the method of Annex B — for comparison with limit values for soluble compounds; one or more methods of Annexes C–H — for comparison with limit values for total metals and their compounds; list of elements with limit values for which at least one method applies: e.g. aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, boron, caesium, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, hafnium, indium, iron, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorus, platinum, potassium, rhodium, selenium, silver, sodium, strontium, tantalum, tellurium, thallium, tin, titanium, tungsten, uranium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, zirconium (for elements printed in italics in the standard no information is available on the effectiveness of dissolution — italics are not visible in the text layer of the sample); the series does not apply to elemental mercury or arsenic trioxide, as their vapours are not collected by sampling according to ISO 15202-1. References (2): ISO 15202-1, ISO 15202-3, ISO 18158, ISO 21832. Definitions (3): sample dissolution (obtaining a solution containing all analytes, not necessarily with complete dissolution of the sample), sample solution, test solution (ready for analysis, after dilution or addition of an internal standard). Principle (4): dust is collected by drawing a measured volume of air through a collection substrate, usually a filter in a sampler collecting the appropriate fraction (ISO 15202-1); the dissolution method is chosen from Annexes B–H taking into account the elements to be determined, their limit values, the applicability of the method to materials present in the test atmosphere and the availability of apparatus; the solution is analysed according to ISO 15202-3; note: for ICP-MS other acid concentrations and dilutions may be needed, and some acids, e.g. hydrochloric acid, are not recommended in solutions for ICP-MS. Requirements (5): the whole measuring procedure (Parts 1–3) must meet the requirements for measuring chemical agents in workplace air (e.g. ISO 20581 and ISO 21832). Reactions (6): most metals and their compounds are converted to water-soluble ions by one of the methods; if there is doubt about recovery, it must be investigated before using the method (10.1). Reagents (7): analytical grade reagents; grade 2 water according to ISO 3696 (conductivity < 0,1 mS/m, resistivity > 0,01 MΩ·m at 25 °C), ultrapure water > 0,18 MΩ·m recommended; concentrated HNO3 ≈ 1,42 g/ml, ≈ 70 %, with a content of the elements to be determined < 0,1 µg/ml; HNO3 1 + 9 (50 ml acid to 450 ml water in a 1 l PP bottle, in portions, with cooling); for some elements acids of higher purity may be needed. Apparatus (8): disposable powder-free gloves (e.g. PVC), borosilicate glassware soaked for at least 24 h in HNO3 1 + 9 and rinsed with water (or cleaned in a laboratory washing machine), non-metallic flat-tipped forceps, piston pipettes and dispensers according to the ISO 8655 series, 1 l PP bottle. Procedure (9): with limit values for soluble compounds — Annex B (9.1.1); methods C–H may be used instead only when it is known that no insoluble compounds of the element are used or produced at the workplace (9.1.2); with limit values for total metals — choice of one of methods C–H according to its applicability to materials in the test atmosphere (9.2); with mixed exposure — first B for soluble compounds, then the undissolved residue (B.6.7.1) is dissolved by a method for total metals (9.3). Special cases (10): with doubt about the effectiveness of dissolution it is checked on a material of known composition similar to materials at the workplace, e.g. a certified reference material, and for soluble compounds — on spiked filters; note: the particle size of the material has a large influence, and microgram amounts dissolve more easily than milligram amounts; with recovery below the minimum of ISO 21832 (at least 90 % with a coefficient of variation below 5 %) another method is investigated, also outside the standard if it meets ISO 21832; no correction factor is applied for ineffective dissolution (10.1); particles dislodged from the filter in transport are washed from inside the cassette or sampler into the vessel, and the client is informed about the condition of the sample before analysis (10.2); deposits on the internal walls of the sampler are often a significant part of the sample and must be included in the analysis (10.3, Annex J). Records (11): reagent lots, apparatus, deviations from the methods, unusual events. Annex A: hydrofluoric acid — burns may not be felt for several hours, dilute solutions are also absorbed through the skin; double gloves; calcium gluconate cream at hand during work and for 24 h afterwards; perchloric acid — forms explosive compounds with organic substances and metal salts: organic matter is destroyed first (e.g. by heating with HNO3), solutions with a large amount of salts are not evaporated to dryness, work in a special fume cupboard with a scrubber.

STATUS (as of 03.10.2026). In the PKN search (term “15202-2”, 03.10.2026) there is no result — the standard has not been adopted as a Polish Standard, and laboratories cite the ISO document. In the iTeh catalogue (read 03.10.2026) ISO 15202-2:2020 has the status “Published”, stage 90.93 (international standard confirmed), published 05.05.2020; SIST ISO 15202-2:2020 — “Published”, replaces SIST ISO 15202-2:2013.

HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database, load up to 17.09.2026, read 03.10.2026). The number 15202-2 appears in 5 records at 2 laboratories: AB 313 (4), AB 1140 (1). In the current PCA documents (read 03.10.2026; AB 1140 issue No. 20 of 12.12.2025, AB 313 issue No. 43 of 08.07.2026) the number appears in 5 lines at the same 2 laboratories (4 and 1); in each document the number of page markers equals the number of PDF pages, without repetitions; a search of all PCA documents downloaded from the BIP on 03.10.2026 found no laboratories outside the database copy. Form “ISO 15202-2:2020-05” (AB 313 — with the month of publication, always together with ISO 30011:2010, in concentration items also with PB-SP-01 version 03 of 03.02.2025) and “ISO 15202-2:2020” (AB 1140 — together with ISO 15202-3:2004). None of these items is suspended. The “Laboratories” tab (term “ISO 15202-2”) shows both laboratories — checked by a tab query on the labcoda.pl production server on 03.10.2026.

WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (items in PCA). AB 313 (ICP-MS, with ISO 30011:2010): “Workplace environment – air samples collected on filters” — content of elements and their compounds in mg per sample, e.g. aluminium (0,010–5,00), chromium metal (0,0050–1,00), manganese, iron oxides, cobalt, nickel and its compounds, copper, zinc oxide, arsenic, selenium, molybdenum, silver, cadmium (0,0001–0,050), tin, barium, thallium, lead (0,0025–0,10), sodium, potassium, magnesium, vanadium, calcium and their oxides or hydroxides; “Workplace environment – air” — concentration of these elements in mg/m³, often separately for the inhalable and respirable fractions, e.g. cadmium (0,00014–0,069) mg/m³ in the inhalable fraction. AB 1140 (ICP-OES, with ISO 15202-3:2004): concentration/content of copper and its inorganic compounds as Cu — (0,0035–3,50) mg/m³ and (0,0025–2,50) mg per sample.

ALONGSIDE THIS STANDARD. The knowledge base already contains ISO 15202-3 (analysis of solutions by ICP-AES) — the part for which this standard prepares the solutions. ISO 30011 (ICP-MS), with which AB 313 combines preparation according to ISO 15202-2, has no separate entry in the knowledge base.

WHERE AN APPARENTLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. With the choice of dissolution method: the method depends on the type of limit value — Annex B for soluble compounds, Annexes C–H for total metals; methods C–H instead of B only when it is known that there are no insoluble compounds at the workplace (9.1, 9.2) — the scope must show which variant the laboratory uses, and the PCA items do not indicate the annex. With the analytical technique: before ICP-MS other acid concentrations and dilutions may be needed, and hydrochloric acid is not recommended (4, note) — this concerns the AB 313 items, where analysis follows ISO 30011. With recovery: the result is not corrected by a factor, the method is changed instead (10.1.3); the recovery criterion of ISO 21832 is at least 90 % with a coefficient of variation below 5 % (10.1.2). With completeness of the sample: deposits on the sampler walls are often a substantial part of the sample and must be analysed (10.3); particles dislodged in transport are washed from the cassette and the client informed (10.2). With elements out of reach: elemental mercury and arsenic trioxide are not covered by this method (1). With the edition: ISO 15202-3:2004 cites Part 2 in the 2001 edition, while the laboratories work to the 2020 edition.

WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We do not quote the course of the individual dissolution methods (amounts and concentrations of acids, temperatures, times, final volumes), their applicability for individual elements and materials, the handling of visible undissolved residue (Annex I) or details of wall deposits (Annex J) — they lie outside the sample. We have not read ISO 15202-1, ISO 21832, ISO 30011 or procedure PB-SP-01. We do not give occupational exposure limit values.

Method principle

Workplace dust is collected on a filter according to ISO 15202-1, and the filter with the sample and the deposits from the sampler walls is dissolved by a method matched to the type of limit value: leaching for soluble compounds (Annex B) or acids — on a hotplate, with ultrasound, in a closed-vessel microwave system or in a hot block — for total metals and their compounds (Annexes C–H). The test solution is analysed by ICP-AES according to ISO 15202-3 (or by AAS or ICP-MS); the effectiveness of dissolution is checked on a reference material or spiked filters, without correcting the result by a factor.

Applications

• Preparation of solutions from dust samples collected on filters at workplaces for the determination of metals and metalloids (1)
• Comparison with limit values for soluble compounds, total metals and mixed exposure (9)
• Workplace environment — 5 items in the accreditation scopes of 2 laboratories in PCA (ICP-MS with ISO 30011 and ICP-OES with ISO 15202-3)

Key parameters

Standard

Standard number

ISO 15202-2:2020

Title (PL)

Powietrze na stanowiskach pracy — Oznaczanie metali i metaloidów w pyle zawieszonym metodą atomowej spektrometrii emisyjnej z plazmą wzbudzoną indukcyjnie — Część 2: Przygotowanie próbek

Title (EN)

Workplace air — Determination of metals and metalloids in airborne particulate matter by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry — Part 2: Sample preparation

Step-by-step procedure

1. Choice of method

   According to the type of limit value, elements, materials in the atmosphere and apparatus (4.2, 9). ISO 15202-2:2020 — no PN, “Published”, stage 90.93 (03.10.2026).

2. Opening the sampler

   Check for particles dislodged in transport, washing the cassette, informing the client; inclusion of wall deposits (10.2, 10.3).

3. Dissolution

   Annex B (soluble) or C–H (total); with mixed exposure B, then the residue (9.3; procedure outside the sample).

4. Effectiveness

   If in doubt, recovery on a reference material or spiked filters; ≥ 90 %, CV < 5 % (10.1).

5. Test solution and records

   Dilution, internal standard, analysis according to ISO 15202-3; recording reagent lots, apparatus and deviations (3.3, 4.4, 11).

Required equipment and apparatus

Reagents, media and consumables

Health and safety (OHS)

• Hydrofluoric acid: burns felt only after hours; double gloves, calcium gluconate cream during work and for 24 h afterwards (A.1)
• Perchloric acid: destroy organic matter first, do not evaporate to dryness, special fume cupboard with scrubber (A.2)
• Concentrated nitric acid is used for dissolution in open vessels in a fume hood (7.2)

Frequently asked questions