Environmental Quality Standards metal contaminants

Accuracy and precision - in respect to LASMA s implementation in environmental screening and monitoring of heavy metal contamination, the requirement for measurement precision is not decisive. The accuracy depends on the quality of the reference material. Two approaches are possible - to use commercial reference samples (Atomic standard solutions of metals and powder standards) or to prepare sets of reference samples with elemental compositions, not available on the market. Another possibility is to use the chemical matrix of clearly defined soil types [Zimmermann, 1989],... 

There are potential quality assurance problems with the analysis of PCAs at trace levels in environmental samples because of their use in some consumer products like PVC or paints, and in metal cutting oils. Standard precautions used for the analysis of PCBs and other organochlorines such as use of glass distilled solvents, high temperature heating of filters, glassware, and sodium sulfate, and minimal use of plastics, should also minimize contamination by PCAs. This contamination is potentially more difficult to control under field conditions where PCAs maybe incorporated into outdoor paints and sealants or may be residues on or in sampling equipment. 

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