ISO 6853:2001

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 6853
Second edition
2001-12-15
Photography — Processing waste —
Determination of ammoniacal nitrogen
(microdiffusion method)
Photographie — Effluents de traitement — Détermination de l'azote
ammoniacal (méthode par microdiffusion)
Reference number
ISO 6853:2001(E)
©
ISO 2001

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ISO 6853:2001(E)
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ISO 6853:2001(E)
Contents Page
Foreword.iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Principle.1
4 Reaction.2
5 Safety and operational precautions.2
6 Materials and reagents.3
7 Apparatus .5
8 Sampling and sample preparation.5
9 Procedure .6
10 Expression of results .7
11 Test report .7
Bibliography.8
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ISO 6853:2001(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 6853 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 6853:1987), of which it constitutes a technical
revision.
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ISO 6853:2001(E)
Introduction
This International Standard is one of a series devoted to the analysis of photographic wastes; it encompasses the
field of analysis of the ammoniacal nitrogen content in a photographic effluent.
This International Standard is intended for use by individuals with a working knowledge of analytical techniques.
Some of the procedures use caustic, toxic or otherwise hazardous chemicals. Safe laboratory practice for the
handling of chemicals requires the use of safety glasses or goggles and, in some cases, other protective apparel
such as rubber gloves, face masks or aprons. Normal precautions for the safe performance of any chemical
procedure must be exercised at all times, but specific details have been provided for hazardous materials. Hazard
warnings are designated by a letter enclosed in angle brackets "��." These are defined in clause 5 and then used
throughout the text. More detailed information on hazards, handling and use of these chemicals may be available
from the manufacturer.
Photographic laboratories can establish conformity to effluent regulations only by chemical analysis. If this cannot
be done in-house, an outside laboratory should be used.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 6853:2001(E)
Photography — Processing waste — Determination of ammoniacal
nitrogen (microdiffusion method)
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method for the determination of ammonia and other volatile amines that can
be liberated from photographic processing wastes by strong alkali, the results being expressed in terms of nitrogen.
The method is applicable for the determination of the ammonia concentration of typical photoprocessing wastes in
the range of 10 mg/l to 200 mg/l of ammonia or 8 mg/l to 160 mg/l of nitrogen. Other volatile amines are determined
as ammonia, but their concentrations in photoprocessing wastes are usually very low.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these
publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For
undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC
maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
ISO 648:1977, Laboratory glassware — One-mark pipettes.
ISO 5667-1:1980, Water quality — Sampling — Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling programmes.
ISO 5667-2:1991, Water quality — Sampling — Part 2: Guidance on sampling techniques.
ISO 5667-3:1994, Water quality — Sampling — Part 3: Guidance on the preservation and handling of samples.
ISO 6353-1:1982, Reagents for chemical analysis — Part 1: General test methods.
ISO 6353-2:1983, Reagents for chemical analysis — Part 2: Specifications — First series.
ISO 6353-3:1987, Reagents for chemical analysis — Part 3: Specifications — Second series.
ISO 10349-1:1992, Photography — Photographic-grade chemicals — Test methods — Part 1: General.
3Principle
Ammonia is liberated from the sample by treatment with potassium metaborate and is absorbed into boric acid. The
absorbed ammonia is then determined by titration with standard sulfuric acid. The liberation and absorption are
carried out in a microdiffusion cell, which is a small covered dish with concentric chambers for sample, sealant and
absorbing solution. When the sample and the metaborate are mixed in the sample chamber, ammonia is evolved
and absorbed into the boric acid chamber. The gaseous free path from sample to absorbent is short, in order to
ensure a room temperature distillation in a reasonable time. Scale-up of this method or alteration of the sample to
buffer ratio should be avoided, as these modifications change the rate of ammonia diffusion.
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ISO 6853:2001(E)
4 Reaction
��
NH X��OH NH� H O + X
432
5 Safety and operational precautions
5.1 Hazard warnings
Some of the chemicals specified in the test procedures are caustic, toxic or otherwise hazardous. Safe laboratory
practice for the handling of chemicals requires the use of safety glasses or goggles, and in some cases other
protective apparel such as rubber gloves, face masks and aprons. Specific danger notices are given in the text for
particularly dangerous materials, but normal precautions are required during the performance of any chemical
procedure at all times.
The first time that a hazardous material is noted in the procedures, the hazard will be indicated by the word
"DANGER" followed by a symbol consisting of angle brackets "��" containing a letter that designates the specific
hazard. A double bracket "��� ��" will be used for particularly perilous situations. In subsequent statements involving
handling of these hazardous materials, only the hazard symbol consisting of the brackets and letter(s) will be
displayed. Furthermore, for a given material, the hazard symbols will be used only once in a single paragraph.
Hazard warning symbols will not be used for common organic solvents when used in quantities of less than 1 litre,
unless they are particularly hazardous.
Detailed warnings for handling chemicals and their diluted solutions are beyond the scope of this International
Standard.
Employers shall provide training and health and safety information in conformance with legal
requirements.
The hazard code system used in this International Standard is intended to provide information to the users and is
not meant for compliance with any legal requirements for labelling, as these vary from country to country.
It is strongly recommended that anyone using these chemicals obtain pertinent information from the
manufacturer about the hazards, handling, use and disposal of these chemicals.
5.2 Hazard information code system
�B� Harmful if inhaled. Avoid breathing dust, vapour, mist or gas. Use only with adequate ventilation.
�C� Harmful if contact occurs. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling.
�F� Will burn. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame. Use with adequate ventilation.
�O� Oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause fire. Do not store near combustible materials.
�S� Harmful if swallowed. Wash thoroughly after handling. If swallowed, obtain medical attention immediately.
��S�� May be fatal if swallowed. If swallowed, obtain medical attention immediately.
5.3 Safety precautions
ALL PIPETTE OPERATIONS SHALL BE PERFORMED WITH A PIPETTE BULB OR PLUNGER PIPETTE. THIS
IS A CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING!
Safety glasses shall be worn for all laboratory work.
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ISO 6853:2001(E)
6 Materials and reagents
6.1 General
6.1.1 Handling and labelling
Reagents shall be handled in conformity with health and safety precautions as shown on containers, or as given in
other sources of such information. Proper labelling of prepared reagents includes the chemical name, date of
preparation, expiration date, restandardization date, name of preparer, and adequate health and safety
precautions. The discharge of reagents shall conform to applicable environmental regulations.
6.1.2 Purity
Reagents used in the test procedures shall be certified reagent-grade chemicals and shall meet appropriate
standards, or be chemicals of a purity acceptable for the analysis. For details, see ISO 6353-1, ISO 6353-2 and
ISO 6353-3.
6.1.3 Water
Whenever water is specified without other qualifiers in the test procedures, only distilled water or water of
equivalent purity shall be used.
6.1.4 Strength of soluti
...