BS EN 13205-1:2014

What is BS EN 13205-1 - Airborne particle concentrations about?  

BS EN 13205-1 is the first part of the multi series standard that specifies performance requirements that are specific to aerosol samplers, primarily inhalable, thoracic and respirable aerosol samplers. These performance requirements, which include conformity with the EN 481 sampling conventions, are applicable only to the process of sampling the airborne particles from the air, not to the process of analysing particles collected by the process of sampling.  

Although analysis of samples collected in the course of testing is usually necessary in order to evaluate the sampler performance, the specified test methods ensure that analytical errors are kept very low during testing and do not contribute significantly to the end result. 

BS EN 13205-1 specifies how the performance of aerosol measuring procedures is assessed with respect to the general requirements of EN 482, through the combination of errors arising in the sampling, sample transportation/storage and sample preparation/analysis stages.  

BS EN 13205-1 is applicable to all samplers used for the health-related sampling of particles in workplace air. 

BS EN 13205-1  is not applicable to the determination of analytical errors and factors related to them (for example the bias, precision and limit of detection of the analytical method). Where the aerosol sampler requires the use of an external (rather than integral) pump, the pump is not subject to the requirements of this part of EN 13205. 

Who is BS EN 13205-1- Airborne particle concentrations for?  

BS EN 13205-1 on workplace exposure assessment of nano-objects is useful for:  

• Manufacturers of nanomaterials   
• Testing laboratories   
• Human resources executives   
• Occupational hygienist   
• Health and safety personnel   
• Other executives responsible for health and safety of employees   

Why should you use BS EN 17 058- Airborne particle concentrations?   

The rapidly advancing field of nanotechnologies and concern on its potential impact on occupational health and safety has initiated efforts by standardization bodies to provide guidance on how health and safety issues can be appropriately addressed.  

BS EN 13205-1 provides performance requirements for samplers for the inhalable, thoracic or respirable aerosol fractions.  

BS EN 13205-1 provides method for calculating the expanded uncertainty for a measuring  procedure based on aerosol sampling. 

BS EN 13205-1 enables manufacturers and users of aerosol samplers to adopt a consistent approach to sampler validation and provide a framework for the assessment of sampler performance. 

BS EN 13205-1 concerns the elements of exposure assessment and provides guidance for various applications. BS EN 13205-1 provides guidance on the use of commonly used devices for the detection of airborne particle concentrations in the workplace air.  

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 13205-1:2014 supersedes BS EN 13205-1:2001, which is withdrawn. The main changes with respect to the previous edition are listed below:   

• This part of EN 13205 is based on Clauses 1 to 8 of the previous edition, EN 13205:2001. 
• The scope has been limited to aerosol samplers, and the current version of the standard is not (directly) applicable to other types of aerosol instruments. 
• The list of definitions has been expanded and many definitions are now given in EN 1540, Workplace exposure — Terminology. The method of calculating the uncertainty of a sampler or a measuring procedure has been revised in order to comply with ENV 13005. The concept of “overall uncertainty” is no longer used, instead the concept of “expanded uncertainty” is used. 
• The list of Requirements (Table 1) has been reformulated/changed for some attributes.  
• The current version of the standard envisages two different types of tests: A test of a candidate aerosol sampler and a test of a complete measuring method based on a candidate sampler, respectively. Two flow charts, one for each type of test, have been included to better demonstrate the relation between the different parts of EN 13205. 
• Annex A has been added on how to calculate the expanded uncertainty for a measuring procedure based on aerosol sampling but also consisting of several other stages. This is a complete revision and expansion of Annex E in the previous version. A clause on symbols has been included.