Inter-Comparison Program

Until 1987, numbers of samples for tbe inter-comparison program were 10-20% of the total samples collected by the local laboratories but were unified to 20 samples for each laboratory. As a result of the 15-year inter-comparison, it has been recognised that inter-comparison is a useful tool for resolving technical problems sometimes encountered and for upgrading the quality of analysis and measurements performed by prefectural hygiene institutes/laboratories. They might also serve to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants. 

The situation is even more serious than indicated by the round-robin comparisons. Since 1992, with the aim of confirming our ability to merge data from two different measuring laboratories, CMDL and CSIRO commenced an operational intercalibration (also referred to as the ICP, Inter-Comparison Program, also the flask-air-sharing comparison). Both CSIRO and CMDL... 

Quality control procedures should include blanks to indicate contamination. Replicate sample analysis indicates random contamination and precision. Accuracy can be assessed by quantitative recovery of added Al, including use of CRMs that are similar in nature to the samples, utilization of more than one procedure such as standard additions and comparison to aqueous standard curve, comparison to another analytical technique and/or participation in inter-laboratory comparison programs. 

Figure 6.19 Comparison of the calculated instrumental function with the instrumen tal function obtained using the BGMN program. Sample sizes SxlOmm receiving slit sizes 0.25xl0mm. Bragg angle (a) 20 = 20°, (b) 20 = 80°. (Reprinted from Ref. 53. Permission of the Inter national Union of Crystallography.)...

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