The health of workers in many industries is at risk through exposure by inhalation to toxic metals and metalloids. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers’ exposures, and this is generally achieved by making workplace air measurements. This standard has been promulgated in order to make available a method for making valid exposure measurements for a wide range of metals and metalloids that are used in industry. It will be of benefit to agencies concerned with health and safety at work; industrial hygienists and other public health professionals; analytical laboratories; industrial users of metals and metalloids and their workers, and so forth.

This test method specifies a generic method for determination of the mass concentration of metals and metalloids in workplace air using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Note 2—For some elements the sampling and sample preparation steps described herein may be used for subsequent analysis by other means, for example, atomic absorption spectrometry or electroanalysis.

The analysis results can be used for the assessment of workplace exposures to metals and metalloids in workplace air.

Note 3—Refer to Guide E 1370 for guidance on the development of appropriate exposure assessment and measurement strategies.

1.1 This test method specifies a procedure for collection, sample preparation, and analysis of airborne particulate matter for the content of metals and metalloids using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).

1.2 The method is applicable to personal sampling of the inhalable or respirable fraction of airborne particles and to area sampling.

1.3 This method specifies a number of alternative methods for preparing test solutions from samples of airborne particulate matter. One of the specified sample preparation methods is applicable to the measurement of soluble metal or metalloid compounds. Other specified methods are applicable to the measurement of total metals and metalloids.

1.4 The following is a non-exclusive list of metals and metalloids for which one or more of the sample dissolution methods specified in this document is applicable. However, there is insufficient information available on the effectiveness of dissolution methods for those elements in italics.

1.5 The method is not applicable to the sampling of elemental mercury, or to inorganic compounds of metals and metalloids that are present in the gaseous or vapor state.

1.6 This test method contains notes that are explanatory and are not part of the mandatory requirements of the method.

1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.