This part of ISO 15202 specifies a method for collecting samples of airborne particulate matter for subsequent determination of metals and metalloids using inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry.

The method is not applicable to the sampling of mercury, which is present in air in the vapour phase at ambient temperatures; inorganic compounds of metals and metalloids that are permanent gases, e.g. arsine (AsH₃); or inorganic compounds of metals and metalloids that are present in the vapour phase at ambient temperatures, e.g. arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃).

The method is applicable to personal sampling of the inhalable or respirable fraction of airborne particles, as defined in ISO 7708, and to static sampling.