ISO 16000-5:2007 PDF

Overview

ISO 16000-5:2007 - Indoor air: Sampling strategy for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) provides guidance for planning and organising measurements of VOCs in indoor environments. The standard emphasises that a well-designed sampling strategy is critical: poor planning can introduce more uncertainty than the analytical method itself and may affect decisions on remedial action. ISO 16000-5 links general sampling principles (ISO 16000-1) with analytical procedures such as ISO 16000-6 and the VOC sampling methods described in ISO 16017‑1/2.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Measurement objectives and environmental conditions: Define whether the aim is to measure single compounds, a subset of VOCs, or the full VOC profile. Environmental variables and boundary conditions must be recorded.
• VOC classification and sampling media: Uses WHO-based volatility classes (VVOC, VOC, SVOC, particulate organic matter) and lists commonly used sampling media (e.g., Tenax TA, activated carbon, molecular sieves, polyurethane foam (PUF), XAD-2, canisters).
• Measurement techniques:
  • Short‑term (spot) measurements - sampling periods from less than one hour to a few hours; usually active sampling (pumped through sorbent).
  • Long‑term measurements - typically passive/diffusive samplers providing time‑weighted averages over days to weeks.
• Sampling planning elements:
  • Time of sampling, duration, sampling frequency, and sampling location must be selected to reflect emission profiles (continuous vs intermittent sources).
  • Consideration of breakthrough volumes, flow rates (for active sampling), and the influence of occupants, activities and ventilation.
• Quality assurance and uncertainty: Present results with documented uncertainty and follow QA/QC procedures. Annex B provides a protocol for recording activities and boundary conditions during sampling.
• Annex A: Examples of organic chemicals frequently detected indoors.

Applications and users

ISO 16000-5 is practical for:

• Indoor air quality consultants and industrial hygienists planning VOC surveys
• Environmental laboratories and field technicians selecting sampling strategies
• Building managers, facility engineers and remediation contractors assessing indoor pollution and planning interventions
• Researchers and policy makers developing exposure assessments or indoor air guidelines

Typical applications include diagnostic surveys of homes, offices, schools, test chamber studies and pre/post‑remediation monitoring.

Related standards

• ISO 16000-1 (general sampling strategy)
• ISO 16000-6 (VOC determination by Tenax TA, thermal desorption, GC-MS/FID)
• ISO 16017-1 / ISO 16017-2 (sorbent tube pumped and diffusive sampling)
• ISO 16000 series (other indoor air topics)

Keywords: ISO 16000-5:2007, VOC sampling strategy, indoor air, volatile organic compounds, diffusive samplers, active sampling, Tenax TA, TVOC, indoor air quality.