This document 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. It contains information about the applicability of the methods with respect to the measurement of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set. The methods 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.

NOTE The sample preparation methods described in this document are generally suitable for use with analytical techniques other than ICP‑AES, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) by ISO 8518^[5] and ISO 11174^[10] and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) by ISO 30011^[11].

The method specified in Annex B is applicable when making measurements for comparison with limit values for soluble metal or metalloid compounds.

One or more of the sample dissolution methods specified in Annexes C through H are applicable when making measurements for comparison with limit values for total metals and metalloids and their compounds. Information on the applicability of individual methods is given in the scope of the annex in which the method is specified.

The following is a non-exclusive list of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set (see References [14] and [15]) and for which one or more of the sample dissolution methods specified in this document are applicable. However, there is no information available on the effectiveness of any of the specified sample dissolution methods for those elements in italics.

Aluminium

Calcium

Magnesium

Selenium

Tungsten

Antimony

Chromium

Manganese

Silver

Uranium

Arsenic

Cobalt

Mercury

Sodium

Vanadium

Barium

Copper

Molybdenum

Strontium

Yttrium

Beryllium

Hafnium

Nickel

Tantalum

Zinc

Bismuth

Indium

Phosphorus

Tellurium

Zirconium

Boron

Iron

Platinum

Thallium

Caesium

Lead

Potassium

Tin

Cadmium

Lithium

Rhodium

Titanium

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.