This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of particulate lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in ambient air that can be used in the framework of the European Council Directive on Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management [1] and the 1st [2] and 4th [3] Daughter Directives. Performance requirements with which the method has to comply are specified in this European Standard. The performance characteristics of the method were determined in comparative field validation tests carried out at four European locations (see 4).
This European Standard specifies a method for sampling of Pb, Cd, As and Ni as part of the PM10 aerosol, microwave digestion of the samples and analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry or by inductively coupled plasma (quadrupole) mass spectrometry.
This European Standard is applicable for the mewasurement of Pb, Cd, As and Ni as part of the PM10 aerosol fraction in the concentration ranges listed in Table 1.