5.2 Screening measurements of time weighted average concentration
The measurement procedures shall have:
a) adequate selectivity for the chemical agent (see 4.2),
b) averaging time less than or equal to the limit value reference period,
c) measuring ra ge that includes the limit value, and
d) expanded uncertainty that is fit for purpose (see 4.2).
5.3 Screening measurements of variation of concentration in time and/or space
The measuring procedures shall have:
a) adequate selectivity for the chemical agent (see 4.3),
b) short averaging time (for variation of concentration in time ≤ 5 min; for variation of concentration in space ≤ 15 min),
c) measuring range that is fit for purpose (see 4.3), and
d) expanded uncertainty that is fit for purpose (see 4.3).
5.4 Measurements for comparison with limit values and periodic measurements
5.4.1 Unambiguity
A measuring procedure shall produce an unambiguous result for the concentration of the chemical agent being measured in the specified measuring range, i.e. an analytically determined value shall correspond to one concentration only.
5.4.2 Selectivity
The measuring procedure shall contain appropriate information about the nature and magnitude of any interference.
NOTE Selectivity requirements vary from case to case, depending on what is known in advance about the workplace air. If the identity of all contaminants present is not known in advance then the measuring procedure will need to have a high selectivity. If the identity of all contaminants is known prior to measurement and there are no interferents present, then it might be possible to use a measurement procedure with a low selectivity.
Procedures for measuring chemical agents present as airborne particles shall prescribe a method for sampling the particle size fraction, as defined in EN 481, for which the limit value for the chemical agent is set.
If different limit values are set for different species of a chemical agent, then the measuring procedure shall determine the individual species concerned.
5.4.3 Averaging time
The averaging time is equal to the sampling time, which shall be less than or equal to the limit value reference period.
5.4.4 Measuring range
The measuring range of the procedure or instrument shall cover at least the' concentrat ions from 0,1 times to 2 times the limit value for long-term measurements, and from 0,5 times to 2 times the limit value for short-term measurements.
NOTE For limit values see reference.
4.5 Expanded uncertainty
The requirements for expanded uncertainty are given in Table.
Table 1 - Expanded uncertainty requirements for measurements for comparison with limit values and periodic measurements
reference period
|
measuring range
|
relative expanded uncertainty
|
relative expanded uncertainty
(mixtures of airborne particles and vapour)
|
short-term (e.g. 15 min)
|
0,5 times to 2 times limit value
|
≤50%
|
≤50%
|
long-term
|
0,1 times to< 0,5 times limit value
|
≤50%
|
≤50%
|
long-term
|
0,5 times to 2 times limit value
|
≤30%
|
≤50%
|
NOTE Variation of exposure to chemical agents in the workplace can be significantly greater than indicated by the uncertainty of a single measurement calculated according to this European Standard. This is due to the temporal and spatial variability of workplace exposure.
5.4.6 Chemical agents with low limit values
In exceptional cases, the limit value of a chemical agent can be so low that at present no measuring procedure is available which meets the requirements given in 5.4.4 and 5.4.5. Until a measuring procedure which fulfils these requirements is available, a measuring procedure should be used whose performance is closest to the specified requirements.
NOTE A list of published measuring procedures is available from GESTIS Analytical methods database (11] which is updated regularly. These measuring procedures are rated according to their compliance with this European Standard and EN 838, EN 1076, EN 13890 and EN 13936.