SIST EN ISO 17294-2:2024 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 17294-2:2023 - “Water quality - Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) - Part 2” - specifies an ICP‑MS method for the determination of a broad set of elements, including uranium isotopes, in waters and water digests. Endorsed by CEN (corrected version 2024‑02), this third edition updates the 2016 version and clarifies treatment of certain elements (e.g., mercury) and adds titanium to the scope.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of elements: Method covers many trace and major elements (examples in the standard include Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Se, U and isotopes, Zn, Ti, etc.).
• Analytical principle: Application of ICP‑MS for quantitative determination in drinking water, surface water, groundwater, wastewater and eluates, and in digests of water/sludge.
• Limits of quantification (LOQ): Typical LOQs for unpolluted waters lie between 0.002 µg/L and 1.0 µg/L for most elements; working range spans ng/L to mg/L depending on matrix and element.
• Interference management: Detailed treatment of spectral (isobaric, polyatomic) and non‑spectral interferences and recommended correction strategies.
• Sample handling: Requirements for sampling, sample pre‑treatment (dissolved vs total concentrations; digestion methods), reagents and clean lab practice to minimise contamination and memory effects.
• Instrument operation: Calibration procedures, measurement of matrix solutions for correction factors, and procedural steps for routine measurement with ICP‑MS.
• Quality reporting: Calculation, test report contents, and annexed procedures (notably Annex A on uranium isotope determination).
• Safety and competence: Emphasis that testing must be conducted by suitably qualified staff and in accordance with laboratory safety practice.

Applications and practical value

• Environmental monitoring of trace metals and radionuclide isotopes in drinking water, surface water, groundwater and wastewater.
• Compliance testing for regulators and public‑health authorities assessing metal contamination and uranium isotopes.
• Routine and research laboratories performing sensitive multi‑element analyses where low ng/L detection is required.
• Sludge and digest analysis following appropriate digestion standards for total element determination.

Who should use this standard

• Analytical chemists and laboratory managers in environmental and water‑testing labs
• Water utilities and wastewater treatment operators
• Environmental consultants and regulatory agencies
• Instrument vendors and method validation teams

Related standards

• ISO 17294‑1 (general ICP‑MS considerations, memory effects)
• ISO 15587‑1 / ISO 15587‑2 (digestion procedures for water and sludge)
• Other parts of the ISO 17294 series for complementary procedures

Keywords: EN ISO 17294-2:2023, ICP‑MS, water quality, uranium isotopes, trace elements, limit of quantification, water analysis, interferences, sample digestion.