BS EN 17199-3:2019

What is BS EN 17199‑3 - Continuous drop method for dustiness about?

Airborne NOAA and other respirable particles released during handling and transportation of bulk materials is an important consideration for workers’ exposure. BS EN 17199-3 is the third part of the workplace exposure to respirable particles multi-series, and focuses on the continuous drop method.

BS EN 17199‑3 specifies the selection of instruments and devices and the procedures for calculating and presenting the results. BS EN 17199‑3 also gives guidelines on the evaluation and reporting of the data.

BS EN 17199‑3 is applicable to the testing of a wide range of bulk materials including powders, granules or pellets containing or releasing respirable NOAA or other respirable particles in either unbound, bound uncoated and coated forms.

Note: The methods specified in this document have not been evaluated for nanofibers and nanoplates.

Who is BS EN 17199‑3 - Continuous drop method for dustiness for?

BS EN 17199‑3 on the continuous drop method for dustiness is useful for:

• Manufacturers of products that release respirable particles
• Health and safety inspectors
• Regulatory bodies
• Quality control personnel
• Occupational hygienists
• Personnel responsible for the welfare of employees

Why should you use BS EN 17199‑3 - Continuous drop method for dustiness?

The aim of dustiness testing is to simulate typical powder processing and handling in order to enable a comparison of the relative dust release potential of different bulk materials. BS EN 17199‑3 provides the methodology for measuring the dustiness of bulk materials that contain or release respirable NOAA or other respirable particles, under standard and reproducible conditions and specifies for that purpose the continuous drop method.

The continuous drop method enables:

• The measurement of the respirable and, optionally, the inhalable dustiness mass fractions
• The measurement of the number-based dustiness index of particles in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 1 μm
• The measurement of the number-based emission rate of particles in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 1 μm
• The measurement of the number-based particle size distribution of the released aerosol in the particle size range from about 10 nm to about 10 μm
• The collection of released airborne particles in the respirable dustiness mass fraction for subsequent observations and analysis by analytical electron microscopy

BS EN 17199‑3 provides you with information that helps you to assess the controls and precautions required for handling and working with the material and the effects of pre-treatment.