Isotope-dilution mass spectrometry reference methodology

Today, the development of quantitative procedures has become at least as important in biomedical mass spectrometry as identification work. Since excellent reviews on the current status of quantitative MS are available (Burlingame et al., 1982 De Leenheer and Cruyl, 1980 Garland and Powell, 1981 Halpem, 1981 Millard, 1978a Schulten and Lehmann, 1978 Sweeley et al., 1977), this contribution will focus on one of the new developments in this field the use of isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) in the development of reference methodology. 

Gaskell, S., Hjelm, M. and Lawson, A., Letter to the Editor - Reference methodology involving isotope dilution/mass spectrometry, Clin. Chem., 31, 167-168 (1985). 

Other methodologies fall into the category of definitive or alternative reference methodologies. The definitive method for lead, against which other methods are qualified for reference use, and the one employed for standard sample lead certification by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), is isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Among its cardinal virtues, in addition to accuracy and precision, are sensitivity and applicability to many lead-containing environmental matrices. 

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