Air quality. Determination of the deposition of benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene

What is BS EN 15980– Characterization of air quality about?  

BS EN 15980specifies a method for the determination of the bulk deposition of benz[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DBahA) and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (INP), which can be used in the framework of Directive 2004/107/EC. This European Standard specifies performance requirements with which the method has to comply in order to meet the data quality objectives given in this Directive. 

BS EN 15980specifies methods for sampling, sample preparation and analysis using gas chromatography with mass spectroscopic detection (GC/MS) or highperformance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FLD). The funnel-bottle bulk collector is used as the standard collector. 

The method described in BS EN 15980 is applicable for deposition measurements in: 

• rural and remote areas, 
• industrial areas, 
• urban areas. 

Note BS EN 15980 is applicable in the range from a few ng/(m2⋅ d) to a few hundred ng/(m2⋅ d). 

Who is BS EN 15980– Characterization of air quality for?  

BS EN 15980 on Characterization of air quality is relevant to:  

• Manufacturers of air quality controlling devices such as diffusers  
• Researchers and scientists  
• Chemical Engineer 
• Environmentalists  

Why should you use BS EN 15980– Characterization of air quality?  

Deposition samples for the determination of specified PAH compounds are taken in funnel-bottle bulk collectors for a measured period of time. Samples are prepared using liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction with organic solvent.  

BS EN 15980 describes the measurement of the deposition of PAH using collectors designed for bulk and wet-only deposition. The validation field test demonstrated that the funnel-bottle bulk collector provided the most reliable and robust results. Therefore this collector type has been chosen as standard collector. 

BS EN 15980 specifies requirements and test methods for the determination of the deposition of benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. 

BS EN 15980 describes the performance characteristics of automated measuring methods and sets the relevant minimum criteria required for determining deposition of different constituents.   

In BS EN 15980, performance criteria and test procedures for measuring air quality are provided to test. This helps create an improved solution to deal with harmful gasses emitted by stationary sources, which are very toxic.  

As a whole, BS EN 15980 is a best practice guidance standard that provides complete requirements and test procedures for determining constituent properties using different methods and controlling their quality, which will reduce pollution, increase efficiency, and ease health concerns.