NBN ISO 16000-39:2021

This document, along with ISO 16000-38, specifies the measurement method for determining the mass
concentration of primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic and aromatic amines in indoor air using
accumulated sampling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem
mass spectrometry (MS-MS) or high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The analytical procedure
is covered by this document. The sampling procedure and the manufacturing of the samplers are
covered by ISO 16000-38.
This document describes specifications for the chromatography and the mass spectroscopy for the
amines. Measurement results are expressed in µg/m3.
Although primarily intended for the measurement of amines listed in Tables A.1 and A.2, it can also be
used for the measurement of other amines in indoor air. This document gives instructions and describes
procedures for the inclusion of other amines.
The range of application of this document concerning the concentrations of amines in indoor air
depends on the linear range of the calibration line and hence on the gas sample volume (here: from 5 l
up to 100 l), the eluate volume (from 1 ml up to 5 ml), the injection volume (from 1 µl up to 10 µl) and
the sensitivity of the analytical equipment (e.g. linear range from 2 pg up to 2 ng amine). The range
of application can be expected to be from approximately 0,002 µg/m3 (100 l sample) up to 2 000 µg/
m3 (5 l sample) for a common analytical equipment (e.g. Waters „TQD“) for the majority of the amines
listed in Tables A.1 and A.2. The analysis of derivatives of ethanolamine is usually about 10 times more
sensitive and the analysis of short-chained aliphatic amines is usually about 10 times less sensitive than
the analysis of an average amine.
The performance data of the analytical method is given in Annex B, particularly in Tables B.1 and B.2.
This document can be used also for the determination of amines in water if the detection limit is
sufficient.
This document does not cover the determination of isocyanates in indoor air (nor in water samples) as
corresponding amines (covered by ISO 17734-1 and ISO 17734-2).