This document specifies tests for the emissions of particulate matter from the gas pathways of a medical device, its parts or accessories, which are intended to provide respiratory care or supply substances via the respiratory tract to a patient in all environments. The tests of this document are intended to quantify particles from 0,25 µm diameter to 10 µm diameter that are emitted by the medical device, its parts or accessories into the respirable gas stream. This document establishes acceptance criteria for these tests.


This document does not address nanoparticles. Insufficient data exist to establish exposure limits for particles less than 0,25 µm diameter.


This document does not address particles larger than 10 µm diameter. These particles are deposited in the nasal cavity. Additional information can be needed for medical devices or accessories that bypass the nose. This is outside the scope of this document but can be required by some authorities having jurisdiction.


This document therefore adopts the same approach as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in setting limits based solely on particle size and not their chemi...