General Information

Abstract

This part of the European Standard gives guidance on the selection, use and maintenance of diffusive samplers used to measure ambient air quality.

Status
Published
Publication Date
09-Dec-2003
Withdrawal Date
29-Jun-2004
ICS
13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 264 - Air quality
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 264/WG 11 - Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
07-Mar-2018
Completion Date
17-Sep-2026
Ref Project
SIST EN 13528-3:2004 - Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 3: Guide to selection, use and maintenance

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Overview

EN 13528-3:2003 (CEN) is the European guide for the selection, use and maintenance of diffusive samplers used to measure ambient air quality. Part 3 of the EN 13528 series provides practical guidance for deploying passive/diffusive samplers to determine concentrations of gases and vapours in ambient atmospheres. This guidance supports reliable field monitoring, consistent results, and effective measurement programmes for outdoor air quality assessment.

Key topics and requirements

The standard focuses on practical and quality-related aspects rather than prescribing single technical procedures. Major topics covered include:

  • Sampler selection criteria - guidance on choosing appropriate diffusive (passive) samplers for specific gases, vapours and concentration ranges.
  • Sampling strategy - considerations for site selection, exposure duration, and spatial coverage to achieve representative ambient monitoring.
  • Deployment best practices - instructions to optimize sampler orientation, mounting height, sheltering from weather and avoiding local interference sources.
  • Handling and storage - recommendations for pre-conditioning, storage and transport to minimise contamination and preserve sorbent performance.
  • Maintenance and inspection - routine checks, replacement intervals and criteria to ensure sampler integrity and performance in prolonged monitoring campaigns.
  • Quality assurance and control (QA/QC) - approaches for blank checks, field duplicates, laboratory traceability and documentation to support data validity.
  • Environmental limitations - factors such as temperature, humidity and wind that can affect diffusive uptake rates and how to account for them in planning and interpretation.

Practical applications

EN 13528-3 is intended to improve the reliability and comparability of passive sampling in a range of ambient air monitoring applications:

  • Long-term urban and regional air quality surveys for regulatory or research purposes
  • Screening studies for pollutant hotspots and exposure mapping
  • Community-led or low-cost monitoring projects using passive samplers
  • Baseline studies prior to development projects or remediation work

Who should use this standard

  • Environmental consultants and air quality practitioners
  • Local authorities and regulatory bodies conducting ambient monitoring
  • Laboratories analysing passive sampler media
  • Researchers and NGOs performing field sampling and exposure assessments
  • Manufacturers and suppliers of diffusive (passive) samplers

Related standards

Part 3 is the guidance element of the EN 13528 series for diffusive samplers. Users should consider other parts of the series and national guidance when implementing a full measurement programme to ensure compliance and data quality.

Keywords: ambient air quality, diffusive samplers, passive samplers, gas monitoring, vapour monitoring, sampler selection, maintenance, QA/QC.

Relations

Refers
ISO 5725-4:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 4: Basic methods for the determination of the trueness of a standard measurement method
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
ISO 5725-3:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 3: Intermediate measures of the precision of a standard measurement method
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
ISO 5725-2:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 2: Basic method for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility of a standard measurement method
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
ISO 5725-5:1998 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 5: Alternative methods for the determination of the precision of a standard measurement method
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
ISO 5725-6:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 6: Use in practice of accuracy values
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
ISO 5725-1:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results — Part 1: General principles and definitions
Effective Date
25-Aug-2026
Refers
EN 13528-2:2002 - Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 2: Specific requirements and test methods
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 1414:1996/A1:2000 - Touch and close fasteners - Cycling procedure for subsequent testing
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
ENV 13005:1999 - Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 13528-1:2002 - Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 1: General requirements
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
EN 24049:1993 - Dentistry - Resin-based filling materials (ISO 4049:1988 + Technical corrigendum 1:1992)
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Refers
ENV 14237:2002 - Textiles in the healthcare system
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 14042:2003 - Workplace atmospheres - Guide for the application and use of procedures for the assessment of exposure to chemical and biological agents
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 14662-4:2005 - Ambient air quality - Standard method for measurement of benzene concentrations - Part 4: Diffusive sampling followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026
Referred By
EN 14662-5:2005 - Ambient air quality - Standard method for measurement of benzene concentrations - Part 5: Diffusive sampling followed by solvent desorption and gas chromatography
Effective Date
28-Jan-2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

EN 13528-3:2003 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 3: Guide to selection, use and maintenance". This standard covers: This part of the European Standard gives guidance on the selection, use and maintenance of diffusive samplers used to measure ambient air quality.

This part of the European Standard gives guidance on the selection, use and maintenance of diffusive samplers used to measure ambient air quality.

EN 13528-3:2003 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.040.20 - Ambient atmospheres. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 13528-3:2003 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 5725-4:1994, ISO 5725-3:1994, ISO 5725-2:1994, ISO 5725-5:1998, ISO 5725-6:1994, ISO 5725-1:1994, EN 13528-2:2002, EN 1414:1996/A1:2000, ENV 13005:1999, EN 13528-1:2002, EN 24049:1993, ENV 14237:2002, EN 14042:2003, EN 14662-4:2005, EN 14662-5:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

EN 13528-3:2003 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2004
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Ambient air quality - Diffusive samplers for the determination of concentrations of gases
and vapours - Requirements and test methods - Part 3: Guide to selection, use and
maintenance
Außenluftqualität - Passivsammler zur Bestimmung der Konzentrationen von Gasen und
Dämpfen - Teil 3: Anleitung z
...