Overview

This European Standard describes a method for the determination of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) in accordance with the requirements for the measurement of EC and OC in fine particulate matter at background sites as specified in Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. This European Standard describes the analytical procedures for determining EC and OC on quartz fibre filters as μg/cm^{2, and the subsequent calculation of concentrations as μg/m<(hoch)3}. Sampling onto filters is to be done in accordance with EN 12341:2014 for PM2,5. The sampling process determines the size fraction of the particulate matter, the retention of semi-volatile material, and uptake/loss of volatile organic compounds on the filter at the time of sampling. The same analysis method may also be used for smaller size fractions than PM2,5. Any possible additional artefacts for larger particles, such as pyrolysis or higher concentrations of carbonates, should be assessed. The scope includes rural and urban background monitoring sites as well as roadside and industrial monitoring sites to allow the assessment of additional exposure of people in urban areas as stated in the objectives of the council directive and to achieve coherence in the European approach. The applicable concentration range of the proposed method is limited by the optical correction and instrument applied in the analysis of EC and OC. This method was validated from 0,2 μg×CEC/cm² and 1,8 μg×COC/cm² to 38 μg×CEC/cm² and 49 μg COC/cm² in the laboratory and to 16 μg CEC/cm²2 and 45 μg COC/cm² in the laboratory validation exercise and in the field validation exercise. The procedure presented in DIN EN 16909 is aimed in particular at representatives of authorities, measuring network operators, measuring institutes, testing laboratories and measuring instrument manufacturers. The standardization work has been carried out under a mandate from the EU and EFTA, which also provided financial support for the validation tests. The standard has been prepared by CEN/TC 264 "Air quality", the secretariat of which is held by DIN, in Working Group CEN/TC 264/WG 15 "Measurement of EC/OC in PM". The responsible German committee is NA 134-04-02-09 UA "Messen von Partikeln in der Außenluft" ("Measurement of particles in ambient air") of Section IV "Environmental Measurement Techniques"of Kommission Reinhaltung der Luft im VDI und DIN - Normenausschuss KRdL ("Commission on Air Pollution Prevention of VDI and DIN - Standards Committee KRdL").

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 134-04-02-09 UA - Measurement of particles in ambient air  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 264/WG 35 - Ambient air – EC/OC