Producing SI-traceable reference values for Cd, Cr and Pb amount contents in polyethylene samples from the Polymer Elemental Reference Material (PERM) project using isotope dilution mass spectrometry

 The present paper describes the certification of the amount content of Cd, Cr and Pb in two different polyethylene materials within the third phase of the Polyethylene Elemental Reference Material (PERM) project. The analytical procedure to establish the reference values for Cd, Cr and Pb amount contents in these materials is based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry used as a primary method of measurement. Cd and Pb were measured with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and Cr with positive thermal ionization-mass spectrometry. The decomposition of the polymer matrix was carried out using a high pressure asher. Reference values for amount content, traceable to the SI-system, have been obtained for these three elements in both of the polyethylene samples of PERM. For each of the certified amount content values an uncertainty budget was calculated using the method of propagation of uncertainties according to ISO and EURACHEM guidelines. The measurement procedures, as well as the uncertainty calculations, are described for all three elements. In order to keep the whole certification process as transparent as possible, the preparations of various reagents and materials as well as the sample treatment and blending are described in detail. The mass spectrometry measurements and the data treatment are also explained carefully. The various sources of uncertainty present in the procedure are displayed in the uncertainty budgets. The obtained combined uncertainties for the amount content values were less than 2% relative (k=1) for all investigated elements. The amount contents were in the μmol/kg range, corresponding to mg/kg levels. Received: 21 October 1999 / Accepted: 29 January 2000     

Establishment of SI-traceable reference ranges for the content of various elements in the IMEP-9 water sample

 The International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) attempts to shed light on the current state of the practice in chemical measurements. The main tool, which assists this attempt and also differentiates IMEP from similar projects, is the establishment of SI-traceable reference ranges (where possible) for the elements offered for measurement to the participants for every IMEP round. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), as the founder and co-ordinator of IMEP has the responsibility of establishing the SI-traceable reference ranges. This is a large task that requires knowledge, skill and resources. IRMM collaborates with a network of reference laboratories in order to achieve the establishment of SI-traceable reference ranges in a transparent and reliable way. The IMEP reference laboratories must have demonstrated experience and have a proven and successful record in the use of primary methods of measurements (mainly isotope dilution mass spectrometry) and the application of uncertainty evaluation according to ISO/BIPM guidelines. In IMEP-9 "trace elements in water", results from 7 reference laboratories (including IRMM) were combined by IRMM to establish SI-traceable ranges for the 15 elements, which were then offered for measurement to the 200 participants worldwide. This paper does not discuss the individual contribution of the reference laboratories (this could be the subject of individual papers) but describes the procedures and criteria used in order to establish the reference ranges for the IMEP-9 samples by combining the individual contributions. All results submitted to IRMM are included, so as to make this publication as realistic as possible. Received: 31 December 1999 / Accepted: 7 March 2000     

The IRMM International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) IMEP-7: Inorganic components in human serum

 In the seventh round of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements' International Measurement Evaluation Programme, 277 clinical laboratories from 17 countries participated. The measurands consisted of inorganic components, present at minor and trace level, in a human liquid serum. Results for calcium, chloride, copper, magnesium, sodium, selenium and zinc are reported and are compared to reference values established mainly by isotope dilution mass spectrometry and neutron-activation analysis. The overall conclusion is that routine measurements of total concentrations of the components by clinical laboratories are of high quality. The fraction of significant errors is small (0.5%) and the self-declared uncertainty values are generally fairly realistic. Results are further commented on with respect to the recent development in metrology in chemistry. Received: 5 March 1999 / Accepted: 24 July 1999     

Contribution to the certification of B,Cd, Cu,Mg and Pb in a synthetic water sample,by use of isotope-dilution ICP-MS,for Comparison 12 of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme

The contribution of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements to the certification of the B, Cd, Cu, Mg, and Pb content of a synthetic water sample used in Comparison 12 of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP-12) is described. The aim of the IMEP programme is to demonstrate objectively the degree of equivalence and quality of chemical measurements of individual laboratories on the international scene by comparing them with reference ranges traceable to the SI (Système International d'Unités). IMEP is organized in support of European Union policies and helps to improve the traceability of values produced by field chemical measurement laboratories. The analytical procedure used to establish the reference values for the B, Cd, Cu, Mg, and Pb content of the IMEP-12 sample is based on inductively coupled plasma-isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) applied as a primary method of measurement. The measurements performed for the IMEP-12 study are described in detail. Focus is on the element boron, which is particularly difficult to analyze by ICP-MS because of potential problems of low sensitivity, high mass discrimination, memory effects, and abundance sensitivity. For each of the certified amount contents presented here a total uncertainty budget was calculated using the method of propagation of uncertainties according to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and Eurachem guidelines. For all investigated elements with concentrations in the low micro g kg(-1) and mg kg(-1) range (corresponding to pmol kg(-1) to the high micro mol kg(-1) level), SI-traceable reference values with relative expanded uncertainties ( k=2) of less than 2 % were obtained.     

The International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP):

 For the 6th measurement round of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme, "Trace Elements in Water", pictures are now available in electronic form displaying the results and answers from participating laboratories, against reference values for the amount content anchored in the SI system via Primary Methods of Measurement. Received: 30 May 1998 · Accepted: 2 June 1998     

Study of the Ternary Systems M(II)(NO3)2–LiNO3–H2O (M(II) 5 Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) at 25°C

Summary.  The isothermal solubility diagrams of four aqueous systems containing lithium nitrate and nitrates of group IIA metals – magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium – were studied at 25°C. No double salt formation was observed. The results were compared with similar nitrate and chloride systems. Some trends in the shape of the phase diagrams were observed. Hydration analysis was applied to the solubility branches, rendering information about ionic processes in saturated solutions. Further, the ratio of activity coefficients of the saturating solid phase in ternary and binary solutions (γ/γ₀) was obtained. Received April 13, 2001. Accepted June 15, 2001