This document provides the methodology for measuring and characterizing the dustiness of a bulk material that contains or releases respirable NOAA and other respirable particles. In addition, it specifies the environmental conditions, the sample handling procedure and the method of calculating and presenting the results. Guidance is given on the choice of method to be used.
The methodology described in this document enables:
a) the quantification of dustiness in terms of health related dustiness mass fractions,
b) the quantification of dustiness in terms of a number-based dustiness index and a number-based emission rate, and
c) the characterization of the aerosol from its particle size distribution and the morphology and chemical composition of its particles.
NOTE 1 Currently, no number-based classification scheme in terms of particle number has been established for particle dustiness release. Eventually, when a large enough number of measurement data has been obtained, the intention is to revise this document and to introduce a number-based classification scheme.
This document is applicable to all bulk materials, including powders, granules or pellets, containing or releasing respirable NOAA ad other respirable particles.
NOTE 2 The vortex shaker method specified in part 5 of this standard series has not yet been evaluated for pellets and granules.
NOTE 3 The rotating drum and continuous drop methods have not yet been evaluated for nanofibres and nanoplates.
This document does not provide methods for assessing the release of particles during handling or mechanical reduction by machining (e.g. crushing, cutting, sanding, sawing) of nanocomposites.