ISO 15202-2:2020

Overview

ISO 15202-2:2020 specifies accepted sample preparation methods for the chemical analysis of metals and metalloids in workplace air. It covers procedures to prepare test solutions from airborne particulate matter collected according to ISO 15202-1, for subsequent analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‑AES). The standard clarifies when to use methods for soluble compounds versus methods for total metals, notes applicability to many regulated elements, and includes safety guidance for hazardous reagents.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Procedures to obtain representative sample solutions from filters and sampler deposits for ICP‑AES analysis (ISO 15202‑3).
• Sample dissolution approaches:
  • Annex B: dissolution for soluble metal/metalloid compounds.
  • Annexes C–H: methods for total metals (different acid digestions and systems).
  • Methods include: nitric + hydrochloric acid (hotplate), hydrofluoric + nitric acid (ultrasonic), sulfuric acid + hydrogen peroxide (hotplate), nitric + perchloric acid (hotplate), closed‑vessel microwave dissolution, and dissolution at 95 °C using a hot block.
• Safety and handling: Annex A provides safety precautions for hazardous reagents such as hydrofluoric and perchloric acids; the document warns about hazardous materials and requires appropriate lab practices.
• Quality and procedure controls:
  • Guidance for dealing with undissolved particulates (Annex I).
  • Actions for sampler wall deposits and displaced filter particles (Annex J).
  • Requirements for laboratory records and documentation of procedures and results.
• Analytical compatibility: While written for ICP‑AES, methods are generally suitable for other techniques like AAS and ICP‑MS.

Note: ISO 15202-2 is not applicable to elemental mercury or arsenic trioxide vapours, which are not collected by the sampling method in ISO 15202‑1.

Applications and users

ISO 15202-2 is intended for:

• Industrial hygiene and occupational health professionals conducting workplace air monitoring for metals and metalloids.
• Analytical testing laboratories preparing samples for ICP‑AES, ICP‑MS, or AAS.
• Regulatory agencies and employers validating compliance with occupational exposure limit values. Practical applications include periodic exposure assessments, control measure verification, and regulatory compliance testing for a wide range of metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, arsenic, zinc) and metalloids.

Related standards

• ISO 15202-1 (Sampling)
• ISO 15202-3 (Analysis by ICP‑AES)
• ISO 18158 (Terminology)
• ISO 21832 (Evaluation of measuring procedures)
• Relevant analytical technique standards: ISO 8518, ISO 11174 (AAS), ISO 30011 (ICP‑MS)

Keywords: workplace air standard, sample preparation, airborne particulate matter, metals and metalloids, ICP‑AES, acid digestion, microwave dissolution, industrial hygiene, occupational exposure.