ISO 19087:2018

Overview

ISO 19087:2018 - Workplace air: Analysis of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) by Fourier‑Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy - is an international standard specifying FTIR methods to measure RCS (principally quartz and cristobalite) in airborne respirable dust collected on filters or foams. The standard describes three analytical approaches: direct‑on‑filter analysis, indirect redeposition onto an analysis filter, and indirect KBr pellet analysis. It covers sample collection, instrument parameters, calibration strategies, sample treatment to remove interferences, and reporting considerations for workplace air monitoring.

Key topics and requirements

• Three FTIR approaches: direct analysis on sampled filter; recovery and redeposition to an analysis filter; recovery and pressing into a potassium bromide (KBr) pellet.
• Sampling and substrates: guidance for different collection substrates (PVC, MCE, polycarbonate, cellulose nitrate filters; polyurethane foams) and how sampler type affects analysis.
• Calibration and preparation: procedures for preparing calibration samples matched to the chosen analytical approach and sampler geometry (direct‑on‑filter requires same sampler for calibration).
• Instrumental parameters and sensitivity: recommended FTIR measurement practices, background correction, and sensitivity considerations for various samplers and dust loads.
• Spectral evaluation: quantification methods using peak height, peak integral, subtraction of reference spectra, and strategies for handling spectral interferences.
• Performance metrics: guidance on limit of detection, limits of quantification, and measurement uncertainty; note that under low dust loads or low silica content the method may not meet expanded uncertainty requirements of ISO 20581.
• Sample handling: requirements for sampling, transport, sample preparation (redeposition, pellet formation), and gravimetric analysis for respirable dust mass.
• Reporting: required elements for the test report and annexes with practical treatment strategies and sampler differences.

Applications and users

• Practical use: workplace exposure assessment, evaluation of control measures, compliance testing, occupational hygiene surveys, and laboratory analysis of air samples for RCS.
• Primary users: industrial hygienists, occupational health professionals, environmental and analytical laboratories, regulatory bodies, employers in construction, mining, manufacturing, and lab managers validating FTIR methods for RCS.
• Benefits: standardized FTIR procedures improve comparability of results, help control worker silica exposure, and support health‑risk management programs.

Related standards

• ISO 24095 - Guidance for measurement of respirable crystalline silica (measurement best practice)
• ISO 20581 - Expanded uncertainty requirements (method performance expectations)
• ISO 7708, ISO 13137, ISO 15767, ISO 18158, EN 13205 - related workplace air sampling and terminology standards

Keywords: ISO 19087:2018, respirable crystalline silica, RCS, FTIR, workplace air, direct-on-filter, KBr pellet, redeposition, occupational hygiene, sampling, calibration, uncertainty.