Certified reference material (CRM 397) for the quality control of trace element analysis of human hair

Summary Analyses of human hair are routinely performed by a number of organisations to monitor the level of exposure of a population to toxic elements, e.g. heavy metals. To control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has produced a reference material (CRM 397) certified for its contents of Cd, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn. This material was collected in a moderately contaminated area, carefully prepared and its homogeneity and long term stability were verified. This paper presents the certification work performed.     

Certified reference materials (CRMs 398 and 399) for the quality control of major element determination in freshwater

Analyses of freshwater are routinely performed by a number of organisations to monitor the levels of major elements. In order to improve and control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has organised a certification campaign to produce two reference materials (CRM 398, low element content and CRM 399, high element content) certified for their contents of Al, Ca, Cl, Fe, Mg, Mn, K, Na, P and S. These materials were carefully prepared (addition of the elements mentioned in the form of ammonium salts or nitrates to silica free deionised water) and their homogeneity and long term stability were verified. This paper presents the certification work performed.     

Certified reference materials—Hay Powder (CRM 129) and Rye Grass (CRM 281)—for the quality control of analysis of animal feed

Analyses of nutritive elements are routinely performed in grass or hay for animal feed in order to improve the state of health and growth of domestic animals. To control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) so far has produced two certified reference materials: Hay Powder (CRM 129) and Rye Grass (CRM 281). After a careful preparation procedure of the materials, a homogeneity study and a long-term stability study, the contents of the elements Ca, K, Mg, P, S, Zn, I, N and Kjeldahl-N were certified in CRM 129, whereas CRM 281 was certified for As, B, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn. This paper presents the certification exercise and especially concentrates on the elements I, B and Mo as examples of analytical work. Indicative values for Co, Cr, Fe, Cl and Na were also obtained.     

Certified reference material (CRM 414) for the quality control of trace element analysis in plankton

Summary Analyses of plankton are performed by a number of organisations to investigate the transfer and uptake of toxic elements along the trophic chain and to monitor the levels of contamination of different aquatic environments. In order to obtain reliable transfer functions in environmental models or to use plankton as an indicator organism for the assessment of environmental pollution, these analyses should give accurate results. As accuracy requires quality control and the application of certified reference materials (CRMs), a certification campaign has been conducted by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR). A plankton material was collected in a freshwater pond, lyophilised, homogenised and bottled and its homogeneity and long-term stability were verified. The material (CRM 414) was analysed by a group of 15 selected laboratories having given proof of their adequate QC and using different analytical methods. The contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn are certified. This paper presents the certification work performed.     

Certified reference material for the quality control of cadmium,copper nickel and zinc determination in estuarine water (CRM 505)

Analyses of estuarine water samples are routinely carried out by a number of laboratories to monitor the level of environmental contamination by toxic substances, e.g. heavy metals. A series of interlaboratory studies has been organised by the Community Bureau of Reference, BCR (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) to improve the quality of the determinations of selected trace metals in estuarine water samples. The improvement achieved allowed to produce a reference material (CRM 505) which was certified for its content of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. Further improvements were considered to be necessary for the certification of other trace elements, e.g. Pb. This material was collected in the Tagus Estuary, carefully prepared (filtered and acidified) and its homogeneity and long term stability were verified. This paper presents the work performed for the certification of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. Indicative values are reported for As, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and V.     

Certified reference material for the quality control of cadmium, copper nickel and zinc determination in estuarine water (CRM 505)

Analyses of estuarine water samples are routinely carried out by a number of laboratories to monitor the level of environmental contamination by toxic substances, e.g. heavy metals. A series of interlaboratory studies has been organised by the Community Bureau of Reference, BCR (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) to improve the quality of the determinations of selected trace metals in estuarine water samples. The improvement achieved allowed to produce a reference material (CRM 505) which was certified for its content of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. Further improvements were considered to be necessary for the certification of other trace elements, e.g. Pb. This material was collected in the Tagus Estuary, carefully prepared (filtered and acidified) and its homogeneity and long term stability were verified. This paper presents the work performed for the certification of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn. Indicative values are reported for As, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb and V.     

Development of clenbuterol reference materials: lyophilized bovine eye samples free of clenbuterol (CRM 673) and containing clenbuterol (CRM 674)

The certification by inter-laboratory testing of two candidate reference materials (RMs) for the mass concentration of the anabolic agent clenbuterol in bovine eye material is described: RM 674 with ca 10 microg clenbuterol per kg of eye matrix and RM 673 clenbuterol-free eye matrix as the negative control (<0.50 microg kg(-1)). Both candidate RMs were certified by eleven EU laboratories, and sixty-six accepted replicate measurements were included in the "Certification Study". The precision of the measurement process was assessed by calculation of the standard variation determined within each laboratory during the certification step. The study was performed according to the "Guidelines for the production and certification of BCR reference materials" and to "ISO guide 31, 33, and 35". The certified clenbuterol mass concentration for clenbuterol-free eye material CRM 673 (calculated on the basis of clenbuterol as the free base) was <0.50 microg kg(-1). The corresponding concentration for clenbuterol-containing eye material CRM 674 was 9.42 +/- 0.88 microg kg(-1). These certified values are very close to the desired target concentration of <0.5 microg kg(-1) and ca 10 microg kg(-1). This study has demonstrated that successful certification of clenbuterol-containing and clenbuterol-free bovine eye materials is possible.     

Certified reference materials for the quality control of fluorine in coal, fly ash and clay

A group of laboratories has worked in various intercomparisons in the frame of the BRC-programme (European Commission) to improve their methods for fluorine determination, especially for coal analysis. These exercises allowed to detect and remove sources of error. Methods were improved to such an extent that the certification of fluorine and chlorine in different materials could be envisaged and the BCR consequently decided to produce coal, fly ash and clay materials certified for their F content. In addition, chlorine was certified in the fly ash CRM.     

Comparison of methods used for the preparation of biological CRM's

The starting material for two certified and one candidate reference material was obtained from dried grass specially cultivated on a selected and well prepared soil. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the Commission of the European Communities produced two certified reference materials (CRM's) from this dried grass: a rye grass material (CRM 281) certified in 1988 for the quality control of trace and toxic element analyses and a hay powder material (CRM 129) certified in 1989 for monitoring trace and minor elements. A fraction of the dried grass was used in 1993 for the preparation of a hay powder with a particle size of <63 m using newly developed grinding techniques.This paper compares the production methods of these three materials and the obtained particle size distribution of the powders. The analytical evaluation of these production methods was carried out by solid sampling Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of Cd, Pb and Zn.     

The certified reference materials CRM 142 R light sandy soil, CRM 143 R sewage sludge amended soil and CRM 145 R sewage sludge for quality control in monitoring environmental and soil pollution

The determination of various heavy metals in soils and sludges provides an indication for their degree of contamination. Therefore the reliability of such determinations is of utmost importance. Quality assessment can be performed by using adequate certified reference materials. Because of their success, the present supplies of the BCR CRM 142, CRM 143 and CRM 145 are exhausted. The Measurement and Testing Programme (BCR) of the Commission of the European Communities decided to replace them. After a careful preparation procedure of materials sufficiently similar to the exhausted ones and a homogeneity and stability study, the new materials were certified for a series of trace elements also including their aqua regia soluble fraction. Indicative values for other elements are given as well.     

Certified reference materials (CRM 408 and 409) for quality control of main components (ammonium, calcium, hydronium, magnesium, nitrate, potassium, sodium and sulphate) in simulated rain water

Analyses of rainwater are routinely performed by a number of organisations to monitor the contribution from rainwater to the component occurrences in the environment and the acidification of the environment. To control the quality of such determinations, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has organised a certification campaign to produce two simulated rainwater reference materials (CRM 408, low mineral content and CRM 409, high mineral content). The materials were carefully prepared (addition of pro analysis and supra pure reagents with the mentioned elements to silica-free deionised water) and its homogeneity and long-term stability were verified. The materials were certified for their contents of ammonium (106 mol/kg) (CRM 409), calcium (7.68 and 15.5 mol/kg), chloride (67.3 and 113 mol/kg), hydronium (16.6 and 48.0 mol/kg), magnesium (6.14 and 12.3 mol/kg), nitrate (20.1 and 78.1 mol/kg), potassium (4.25 mol/kg) (CRM 409), sodium (42.0 and 82.9 mol/kg) and sulphate (10.5 and 53.2 mol/kg). Indicative values (not certified) are given for ammonium and potassium in CRM 408. This paper presents the certification work performed, as well as the analytical work for the certification of the contents of relevant species.     

A programme to improve the quality of butyltin determinations in environmental matrices

One of the major prerequisites for the certification of various analytes in different Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) is that the analytical methods used are of verified performance and, hence, that no systematic errors have been left undetected. In the case of difficult measurements, research and feasibility studies are often necessary to ensure that the methods are operating under good quality control. The EC Standards Measurements and Testing Programme (SMT, formerly BCR) usually follows a step-by-step approach which consists in series of interlaboratory studies to assess and improve the quality of measurements prior to certification by comparing different analytical techniques. A programme following such stepwise approach has started in 1987 with the aim of improving the quality of butyltin determinations in environmental matrices. The project involved ca. 20 laboratories from different Member States of the European Union. The first interlaboratory study dealt with simple solutions containing mixtures of organotin compounds and a second exercise focused on the analysis of a tributyltin-spiked sediment. These exercises were continued by two certifications on butyltins in sediment, the first of which could not be successfully concluded owing to the high spread of results observed between the results of different techniques. The second certification allowed a CRM certified for its contents of di- and tributyltin (CRM 462) to be produced. This programme on Sn speciation is now focusing on the certification of butyltin and phenyltin compounds in candidate CRMs of mussel and sediment. This paper gives an account of the step-by-step approach followed and presents the results of the two certification exercises carried out so far. The preparation of the mussel candidate CRM is also described.     

New Sediment and Soil CRMs for Extractable Trace Metal Content

Abstract

The lack of uniformity in leaching procedures used to measure broadly defined forms of heavy metals does not allow the results to be compared world-wide nor the methods to be validated since the results obtained are “operationally defined”. An attempt was made to certify several mineral soils CRMs for single extraction by using acetic acid, EDTA and DTPA for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Recently, to complete the series of soil CRMs, an organically enriched soil was prepared SO25. For sediments a CRM 601 was produced and certified for metals extractable by using the BCR three step sequential extraction. Not all the trace elements were certified and only indicative values were given for some of them due to poor reproducibility. We performed a systematic study of the effect of the variables identified as potential sources of uncertainty in the use of this scheme. With this study the sources of uncertainty were revealed and an optimised version of the protocol was proposed. With this new version it was possible to certify all the trace elements studied. New sediment material S33 is now proposed for certification and additional data are given for the sediment CRM 601. This modified procedure was also applied to a soil CRM 483 and good results were obtained. This procedure may thus be applied to polluted soils.     

The validation of Kayzero-assisted NAA in Budapest, Rez, and Ljubljana via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials

After installation and calibration of k0-assisted NAA in three Central European research institutes (AEKI-Budapest, NPI-Rez, and IJS, Ljubljana), its validation was established via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials. The matrices of choice were: CRM 277 estuarine sediment, CRM 038 coal fly ash from pulverized coal, and CRM 101 spruce needles. For some elements, e.g. Zn, Cd, and Hg, the analyses were not only performed instrumentally (INAA), but also in the radiochemical mode (RNAA). The work was performed in the framework of a European Copernicus Project.     

Application of mycotoxin RM's in method development and quality assurance

Summary New analytical methodology for determining aflatoxin M₁ in milk has been validated using the Eurpean Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) aflatoxin M₁ in powdered milk certified reference material (CRM). Good agreement with the certified values for aflatoxin M₁ were obtained using an immunoaffinity column clean-up procedure for the preparation of milk samples. This demonstrated the validity of this novel approach. Similarly, using the CRM's a fully automated sample handling procedure utilising robotics was validated for making routine aflatoxin determinations. The use of CRM's has now become part of the normal quality assurance procedure for survey work for aflatoxin M₁ in milk, and CRM's are analysed blind for every 15 survey samples.The need for additional mycotoxin CRM's in foods and animal feeds is discussed in relation to existing European Regulations, and the needs for intercomparison of surveillance data. Preliminary work under the BCR programme is outlined concerning the preparation of a 4-deoxynivalenol calibrant solution, and the certification of cereals containing this Fusarium mycotoxin.

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Anwendung von Mycotoxin-Referenzmaterialien zur Methodenentwicklung und Qualitätssicherung

     

Certification of contents of aromatic hydrocarbons in charcoal tubes – CRM 562

A Certified Reference Material (CRM) for determination of aromatic hydrocarbons in air was developed. The CRM 562 consists of aromatic hydrocarbons sorbed on charcoal in glass tubes. Initial feasibility studies established that a homogeneous and stable batch could be prepared. Three intercomparisons prior to the certification allowed the identification of various sources of error. Then, a batch of about 3000 tubes was charged and certified on the basis of analyses carried out in 15 European laboratories. The preparation of the reference material and the results of the certification exercise is described. An overview on the analytical techniques used and the quality control guidelines are also presented. The certified values are 15.0 ± 0.4 μg benzene, 147.3 ± 3.8 μg toluene, 96.4 ± 2.5 μg m-xylene and 93.0 ± 2.9 μg o-xylene per tube. This reference material is recommended for quality control of measurements in the field of occupational hygiene.     

Certification for trace elements and methyl mercury mass fractions in IAEA-452 scallop (Pecten Maximus) sample

A marine certified reference material (CRM), IAEA-452, prepared with scallop (Pecten maximus) sample was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and certified for trace elements and methyl mercury (MeHg). The Scallop (Pecten maximus) sample is commonly found and consumed seafood and is also used as bio-indicators for trace metal contamination in marine pollution studies. This paper presents the sample preparation methodology, material homogeneity and stability studies, evaluation of certification campaign results, the assignment of property values and their associated uncertainty. The reference values and associated expanded uncertainty for 9 trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn) and MeHg in scallop sample are established. The informative value for one more element (Ni) is also given. The new CRM can be used for the development and validation of analytical methods for determination of trace elements and methyl mercury in seafood and also for quality assurance/quality control purposes.     

The validation of Kayzero-assisted NAA in Budapest, Řež, and Ljubljana via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials

After installation and calibration of k₀-assisted NAA in three Central European research institutes (AEKI-Budapest, NPI-?e?, and IJS, Ljubljana), its validation was established via the analysis of three BCR certified reference materials. The matrices of choice were: CRM 277 estuarine sediment, CRM 038 coal fly ash from pulverized coal, and CRM 101 spruce needles. For some elements, e.g. Zn, Cd, and Hg, the analyses were not only performed instrumentally (INAA), but also in the radiochemical mode (RNAA). The work was performed in the framework of a European Copernicus Project.     

诱惑红溶液标准物质的研制及不确定度评定

建立了食用合成色素诱惑红溶液标准物质的制备和定值方法,研制了100 mg/L的诱惑红溶液标准物质。采用制备液相色谱对筛选的市售原料纯化,得到纯度大于99%的诱惑红纯品;通过核磁共振(1H NMR谱)和液相色谱-质谱(HPLC-LTQ/MS)准确定性分析后,利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对诱惑红纯物质进行纯度定值。以0.1 mol/L乙酸铵和甲醇为流动相进行等度洗脱,采用Intersil ODS-C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)进行分离,检测波长240 nm。为保证纯度测量的准确性,采用多家联合定值对诱惑红的纯度进行定值,诱惑红纯物质的定值纯度为99.61%(λ=240 nm)。诱惑红溶液标准物质经重量-容量法配制后,进行均匀性和稳定性实验,浓度赋值后进行不确定度评定,诱惑红溶液的量值为100 mg/L,扩展相对不确定度为1.0%(k=2)。该溶液标准物质已批准为国家级标准物质,可为相关部门提供检测标准。     

k0-NAA, a valuable tool for reference-material producers.

The main concern of producers of certified reference materials (CRM) is the preparation of high-quality products with demonstrated homogeneity and stability, combined with a well established set of certified characteristics. CRM producers must, furthermore, comply with other constraints imposed by the ISO Guide 34: production processes, production control, and certification analyses should be performed by expert laboratories, using validated protocols documented in their respective quality assurance manuals; laboratory mean values and the corresponding "expanded" uncertainties, must be used for the determination of the certified values, as recommended by the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainties in Measurements (GUM); and when possible, traceability of the certified value to the SI units, using appropriately validated and/or primary methods, must be ensured. k0-NAA, i.e. neutron activation analysis with k0 standardization, is one of the analytical techniques implemented at the Reference Material Unit of IRMM; it meets the first two requirements.