ISO 17191:2004

Overview - ISO 17191:2004 (polyacrylate superabsorbent dust measurement)

ISO 17191:2004 specifies a laboratory method to quantify airborne respirable polyacrylate (PA) superabsorbent powders originating from materials used in urine-absorbing aids for incontinence. The method measures sodium (Na) content released from collected PA powders and determines Na by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples are collected in polystyrene acrylonitrile air‑monitoring cassettes fitted with PTFE filters and porous backing pads. The procedure is intended for material-level testing (not finished consumer products) and is sensitive in the range ~0.2 µg to 60 µg of superabsorbent powder (LOD ≈ 0.2 µg).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Sampling hardware: three-piece clear polystyrene acrylonitrile cassettes, PTFE filters and porous backing pads; HEPA drying/filtration recommended for prep.
• Contamination control: rigorous pre-wash of cassettes, use of deionized/distilled water per ISO 3696, glove handling, and batch blank testing (10% release testing; five retained blanks per location).
• Reagents: high-purity KCl (low Na), isopropanol (IPA), deionized water (<0.1 mg/l Na), and calibrated sodium standards prepared in the KCl/IPA matrix.
• Extraction protocol: pipette 0.5 ml IPA + 4.5 ml 2000 mg/l KCl into cassette, shake ~1 hour, aspirate aliquot directly into AAS spray chamber.
• AAS measurement: single-beam spectrometer with air–acetylene flame, dedicated trace-Na spraychamber, hollow cathode lamp for Na, photometric accuracy ±0.0005 AU.
• Calibration & calculation: sodium standards run in the same KCl/IPA matrix; use a second-order (non-linear) regression for calibration; convert Na mass to PA mass using a Na→PA conversion factor (dependent on neutralization; commonly ~5.88); correct samples by mean blank and compute limit of detection (Ld = mean blank + 3·sd).

Practical applications and typical users

• Quality control and R&D for manufacturers of superabsorbent polymers and hygiene products evaluating dust release from raw materials.
• Occupational hygiene and exposure assessment in production and handling environments where airborne PA dust is a concern.
• Laboratories and test houses performing validated material characterization and regulatory or supplier acceptance testing.
• Product safety and material compliance teams that require trace-level quantification of superabsorbent dust.

Related standards and notes

• Normative reference: ISO 3696:1987 (water for analytical laboratory use).
• ISO 17191 was developed alongside other test methods transformed into the ISO 17190 series for polymer-based absorbent materials (see ISO documentation for the full series).
• Note: method is for material testing only - not intended for finished urine-absorbing products.

Keywords: ISO 17191:2004, polyacrylate superabsorbent, sodium AAS, airborne respirable dust, urine-absorbing aids, incontinence, dust measurement, limit of detection.