This International Standard describes a method for the measurement of the mass of particulate matter in ambient air and is based on the absorption of beta rays by the particulate matter.

This method applies to the determination of concentrations ranging from a few micrograms per cubic metre to a few milligrams per cubic metre contained in the atmospheres of urban, rural or industrial areas.

The lower mass detection limit of the method is usually 15 μg to 30 μg of deposited mass per square centimetre of surface area, S, of the filter. This means, for a sampling time t of 3 h and a flowrate q of 1 m³/h, that the concentration detection limit ranges between 5 μg/m³and 10 μg/m³, computed as follows:

Concentration(μg/cm²)·S(cm²)/q(m³/h)·1/t(h)

Sampling techniques are not included in the scope of this International Standard.