Standards Development

Scope

This International standard gives guidance on sample preparation, and on qualitative and quantitative determination of elements in particulate matter collected on filtering membranes (PM filter) by energy dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) in different geometrical configurations. PM filter sampling is excluded.

This standard only applies to X-ray emission from filters that are probed using an X-ray beam as the exciting source. X-ray emissions generated by electron microscope are excluded[1].This standard follows a decontextualized approach, being applicable under various contexts including but not limited to those highlighted in the Introduction. The described method is generally applicable for the determination of elements with atomic number higher than 11 (Na) and having a deposited mass on the filter greater than 10 ng. The elements identified and the detection limits depend on the specific instrumental configuration employed.

Various types of filtering membranes (filter) materials can be used, such as glass fibre, quartz fibre, cellulose, nylon, polycarbonate (PC) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The entire filter, or portions of various sizes thereof, may be submitted to analysis.

The application of this International Standard to the assessment of ambient air quality, atmospheric emissions, and workplace air from stationary or personal air sampling should be accompanied with verification of performance requirements of the executing laboratories according to the regulations they are subjected to. These quality checks should demonstrate that the method is appropriately calibrated and validated for the intended use, while complying with any regional or national regulations or guidelines.

NOTE: Reference free analysis, based on fundamental parameters is excluded as the nature of the PM filter samples means that the parameters are not defined well enough.