Overview
EN ISO 15192:2025 - Soil and waste: Determination of chromium(VI) in solid material by alkaline digestion and ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection specifies a laboratory method for extracting and quantifying hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in soils and solid wastes. The procedure uses an alkaline digestion to mobilize Cr(VI) followed by ion chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The method is applicable to Cr(VI) mass fractions in solids greater than 0.1 mg/kg. Note: reducing or oxidising waste matrices prevent reporting of valid Cr(VI) results.
Key topics and requirements
- Principle: Alkaline extraction solubilizes Cr(VI) while minimizing interconversion between Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Magnesium‑phosphate buffering is included to reduce air oxidation of Cr(III).
- Analytical technique: Ion chromatography coupled with spectrophotometric detection for selective measurement of Cr(VI) in digestion solutions.
- Scope and limits: Suitable for solid waste and soil; detection/use threshold >0.1 mg/kg. Results are not valid for strongly reducing or oxidising matrices.
- Sample handling & safety: Prescribed sample pretreatment, test portion preparation and laboratory safety precautions - avoid skin contact, ingestion or inhalation of Cr(VI) (genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic).
- Quality control: Requirements include blanks, method verification (lead chromate or barium chromate as alternative), duplicate samples, soluble Cr(VI) spikes and Cr(III) spike tests to check for interconversion and method recovery.
- Instrumentation & procedure notes: Guidance on digestion (hotplate/heating block options), ion chromatographic system setup, calibration and measurement, plus calculation and reporting formats.
- Validation & annexes: Informative annexes cover ion chromatography system examples, test portion preparation, validation data and background on Cr(VI) methods.
Applications and users
EN ISO 15192:2025 is intended for:
- Environmental testing laboratories performing soil and waste characterization
- Waste management and remediation consultants assessing contamination or regulatory compliance
- Regulatory agencies setting or enforcing soil and waste quality standards
- Research labs studying chromium speciation and mobility in soils and wastes
Typical applications include site assessment, landfill waste classification, contaminated land investigations, and monitoring of treatment processes where accurate Cr(VI) speciation is required.
Related standards
Relevant normative references and complementary standards include:
- ISO 8466-1 (method calibration)
- ISO 11464 (sample pretreatment)
- ISO 11465 (dry matter/water content)
- ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory competence)
- EN 15002 (test portion preparation)
- EN 15934 (dry matter calculation)
Keywords: EN ISO 15192:2025, Cr(VI) determination, chromium(VI) in soil and waste, alkaline digestion, ion chromatography, spectrophotometric detection, environmental laboratories, waste characterization.
