ISO 17190-11:2001

Overview

ISO 17190-11:2001 specifies a laboratory method for determining the content of respirable particles in polyacrylate (PA) superabsorbent powders used in urine‑absorbing aids for incontinence. The standard addresses the potential presence of very small particles (defined as < 10 µm) that can be generated during production even though commercial superabsorbent particles typically average 400–800 µm. The method combines sieve fractionation and laser‑light scattering (diffraction) particle sizing on a wet dispersion.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and definition
  • Targets polyacrylate superabsorbent powders; a respirable particle is defined as < 10 µm.
• Sampling and conditioning
  • Representative sampling procedures (remove top layer, airtight container); test conditioning per ISO 187 (preferred 23 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 10 % RH).
  • Test portion: 100 g (using ISO 8213 sampling techniques or a sample divider).
  • Safety note: use respiratory protection or fume hood for sample amounts > 10 g.
• Separation and preparation
  • Sieve the bulk sample through stainless steel screens of 500 µm, 250 µm and 106 µm; collect fraction passing 106 µm.
• Particle measurement
  • Analyze the <106 µm fraction using a laser‑light scattering particle analyser (diffraction method) on a wet dispersion in dry petroleum ether (boiling range 60–80 °C).
  • Examples of acceptable analyzers and equipment are cited (e.g., Malvern, Coulter, Sympatec, Cilas; Retsch or RO‑TAP sievers) but not mandated.
• Calculations and performance
  • Determine percentage of respirable particles from laser measurements and express respirable content as a mass fraction of the original test portion.
  • Precision data from interlaboratory testing: repeatability r = 0.011 %; reproducibility R = 0.050 %.
• Reporting
  • Test report must include sample ID, sampling technique, equipment used, mass of <106 µm fraction, respirable fraction results, and any deviations or unusual observations.

Applications and users

• Who uses ISO 17190-11
  • Quality control and R&D laboratories in hygiene product and superabsorbent manufacturing.
  • Independent testing laboratories and certification bodies.
  • Occupational hygiene and safety teams assessing potential inhalation exposure during handling/processing.
  • Regulatory agencies and standards committees reviewing inhalable/resiprable dust aspects of absorbent materials.
• Practical value
  • Enables consistent measurement of ultrafine contamination in superabsorbents for product safety, compliance, and process control.
  • Supports risk assessments for workplace airborne dust and informs mitigation (ventilation, PPE).

Related standards

• ISO 17190 (other parts 1–10, 12, etc.) - broader test methods for polymer‑based absorbent materials
• ISO 17191 - airborne polyacrylate superabsorbent material in the workplace (sodium atomic absorption spectrometry)
• Normative references: ISO 187, ISO 3696, ISO 5725‑2, ISO 8213

Keywords: ISO 17190-11, respirable particles, polyacrylate superabsorbent powders, laser diffraction, sieve fractionation, particle size analysis, incontinence product testing, quality control, occupational exposure.