ISO 10473-2000 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10473:2000 — Ambient air — Measurement of the mass of particulate matter on a filter medium — Beta-ray absorption method. This International Standard defines a laboratory/field measurement method that determines the mass of particulate matter collected on filter media by measuring attenuation of beta radiation through deposited particles on the filter surface.

Abstract

This standard specifies the principle and procedure for measuring particulate mass on a filter medium using beta-ray absorption. It is intended for concentrations from a few micrograms per cubic metre up to a few milligrams per cubic metre in ambient air (urban, rural or industrial atmospheres) and gives typical detection limits, calculation of concentration from deposited mass and guidance on measurement performance. Sampling technique details (inlet design, size selection) are outside the method and must be considered separately when reporting concentrations.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed in review).
• Publication date: April 2000 (Edition 1, 2000-04).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 13.040.20 (Ambient atmospheres).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2000).
• Number of pages: 12 pages.

Scope

ISO 10473:2000 applies to the measurement of the mass of particulate matter collected on a filter medium by the beta-ray absorption technique for ambient-air monitoring. The method covers typical concentration ranges from micrograms per cubic metre to milligrams per cubic metre and provides typical lower mass detection limits (for example, ~15–30 µg deposited mass per cm2, translating to approximate concentration detection limits depending on sample volume and flow). The standard does not cover sampling inlet design or size-selective sampling devices, which affect the reported concentration and must be specified separately.

Key topics and requirements

• Principle of measurement: beta-ray attenuation through particulate deposited on a filter medium.
• Instrumentation requirements: beta source and detector geometry, counting/measurement procedure, background and blank corrections.
• Performance characteristics: typical detection limits, precision and repeatability guidance for ambient concentrations.
• Calculation and reporting: converting measured deposited mass to airborne concentration using sampled air volume and filter area.
• Quality considerations: calibration, blanks, correction for filter substrate, and uncertainty assessment.
• Limitations: method sensitivity depends on sampled mass and flow; sampling inlet and size selection are outside the method.

Typical use and users

Used by environmental testing laboratories, air quality monitoring networks, research institutions, and regulatory agencies for routine or campaign monitoring of particulate mass on filters where beta attenuation measurement is appropriate. Also used by instrument manufacturers and service providers who produce or operate beta attenuation measurement systems for ambient air monitoring.

Related standards

Related documents include gravimetric reference methods and regional/national standards for particulate matter measurement (for example, European gravimetric method EN 12341 for PM10/PM2.5 and various national/agency reference methods such as those published by the U.S. EPA). These documents describe complementary sampling and weighing approaches, reference sampler requirements and additional performance/QA criteria used alongside or instead of beta-based methods.

Keywords

ambient air, particulate matter, PM, filter medium, beta-ray absorption, beta attenuation, mass concentration, detection limit, air quality, monitoring

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10473:2000 is an International Standard that specifies a beta-ray absorption method for measuring the mass of particulate matter deposited on a filter medium for ambient-air monitoring.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the measurement principle, instrumentation and measurement procedure, calculation of airborne concentration from deposited mass, typical detection limits and performance/quality considerations; it does not specify sampling inlet design or size-selection methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and air-quality laboratories, monitoring networks, regulatory bodies, researchers and instrument manufacturers involved in particulate matter mass measurement and monitoring.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2000 edition (ISO 10473:2000) is the published edition; the ISO record indicates it was last reviewed and confirmed during a periodic review cycle (confirmed status recorded in ISO's lifecycle), so the 2000 edition remains the current published version. Check national/official standards bodies for any national adoptions or amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO's body of standards addressing ambient air and air quality measurement (ICS 13.040.20) and was prepared under ISO/TC 146 (Air quality) subcommittee SC 3; it complements other particulate measurement standards such as gravimetric reference methods and regional standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Beta-ray absorption, beta attenuation, particulate matter, PM, filter, ambient air, mass concentration, detection limit, air quality monitoring.