This International Standard specifies a procedure for the use of quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for analysing test solutions prepared from samples of airborne particulate matter collected as specified in ISO 15202-1. Method development, performance checks, and a routine analysis method are specified.

Test solutions for analysis by this International Standard are prepared as specified in ISO 15202-2.

This International Standard is applicable to the assessment of workplace exposure to metals and metalloids for comparison with limit values (see e.g. EN 689^[10], ASTM E1370^[8]).

The following is a non-exclusive list of metals and metalloids for which limit values have been set (see Reference [15]) and for which one or more of the sample preparation methods specified in ISO 15202-2 and the analytical procedure described in this International Standard are applicable. However, there is no information available on the effectiveness of any of these sample preparation methods for those elements listed in italics.

This International Standard is not applicable to determination of elemental mercury, since mercury vapour is not collected using the sampling method specified in ISO 15202-1.

The procedure is suitable for assessment of exposure against the long-term exposure limits for most of the metals and metalloids listed above when sampling at a typical flow rate of 2 l min⁻¹ for sampling times in the range 0,5 h to 8 h and for assessment of exposure against the short-term exposure limits, where applicable.

The procedure is subject to no significant spectral interferences (see A.3), provided that suitable analytical isotopes are used. However, inadequate matrix-matching can adversely affect results.