A natural matrix (pureed tomato) candidate reference material containing residue concentrations of pesticide chemicals

NARL (the Australian National Analytical Reference Laboratory) is preparing a pureed tomato reference material spiked with residue concentrations of a range of pesticide chemicals relevant to the Australian horticultural industry. Traceable certified pesticide concentration values will be established using both isotope dilution mass spectrometry primary methods (developed within NARL) and measurements carried out by a number of experienced laboratories. As far as we are aware, there is no other similar CRM available anywhere in the world. The need for such a material is evident from the results of interlaboratory proficiency studies conducted by NARL among Australian and Asia-Pacific residue testing laboratories. Many participants are experiencing difficulties with the analysis of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables at concentrations of regulatory significance. Chemicals such as methamidophos (an organophosphorus pesticide widely used on tomato crops) are causing particular problems. In a pilot study, a number of units of control (unspiked tomato) and the candidate reference material were prepared and packaged into lacquered steel cans which were sealed and sterilised by immersion in boiling water. Accelerated stability testing of the packaged material was conducted using isochronous measurement. All of the pesticides showed some degree of degradation after 4 weeks of storage at 50?°C, and after 168 days of storage at room temperature. However, all appeared to be stable after 168 days of freezer storage. Homogeneity testing involved duplicate test portions taken from every 50th unit of reference material. An experimental protocol was devised with the aim of minimising the analytical variability and assuring the quality of the data generated. There is some degree of inhomogeneity in the prepared material and a small fill trend is also indicated. Potential improvements to the spiking and preparation procedure have been identified and it is planned to prepare a second batch of both control and spiked material for further homogeneity trials and for certification of the pesticide concentrations.     

Matrix reference materials – provision in Australia

 Until quite recently, Australia has not been much involved in the preparation and certification of matrix reference materials for chemical testing. Even today, the vast bulk of chemical reference materials used in Australia are imported from other world producers. Increased international focus on the accuracy, traceability and comparability of chemical measurements has led to the establishment of the National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL) within the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories. Part of the work of NARL will be to supply matrix reference materials, not available from existing sources, to meet specific Australian requirements. This need has been addressed in the past by a combination of industry and government initiatives. Examples include a series of certified matrix reference materials for chemical testing of iron ore, coal and mineral sands produced by Standards Australia and a series of three animal fat matrix reference materials certified for a range of pesticide residues produced by the Australian Chemical Standards Laboratory (now part of NARL). To make effective use of limited resources, it will be important for NARL to focus on identified priorities and to maximise the use of available Australian resources and expertise through technical collaboration for reference material production. An important part of this process should be input on needs and priorities from reference material "users" such as government legislators, regulatory authorities, standards setting bodies, industry and the analytical community. The aim will be to produce matrix certified reference materials that are traceable to SI or other international standards at a stated level of measurement uncertainty.     

Recent developments in Australia — reference materials and proficiency testing

The Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) has historically been the major provider of chemical and micro biological analytical services to the Australian Government. An equally important role has been the provision of specialist functions associated with:

?development and implementation of new and improved testing methods;

?evaluation and commissioning of new instrumentation;

?advice and assistance to government with the design, implementation and conduct of proficiency testing programs, particularly in areas of chemical testing related to international trade.

In July 1993, in response to increasing international interest in chemical metrology, AGAL established a Valid Analytical Measurement program focused on improving the acceptability of laboratory data and supporting the development of appropriate standards through the National Standards Commission. AGAL has recently surveyed Australian residue testing laboratories to determine their priority requirements for reference materials and inter laboratory check sample programs. Survey results have clearly demonstrated a need for reasonably priced, certified reference materials for pesticide and antibiotic residue testing in raw agricultural produce. There are few reference materials available in this field of testing, particularly for residues of concern in Australia. AGAL has therefore initiated action as follows:

?Preparation and certification of two priority reference materials

1. organochlorines (dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide) in animal fat,
2. organophosphates (diazinon, chlorpyrifos and ethion) in animal fat.

?Investigation of storage stability of animal liver samples containing avermectin, sulphonamide and other antibiotic residues to ascertain suitability for reference material production.

In the area of proficiency testing, AGAL provides ongoing services (in close consultation with NATA, the National Association of Testing Authorities) to the Australian export meat industry. AGAL is seeking to expand this role to involve a wider range of laboratories engaged in residue testing of both export and domestic produce. The Australian Government believes it has an important role to play, particularly in the South East Asian and Pacific Rim regions, in co-operation, collaboration, assistance with training, and provision of specialist technical services.     

The synthesis and characterization of pure substance reference materials for forensic, agricultural and drugs-in-sport analysis

 The paper reports work on the synthesis, purification and certification of pure substance (organic) reference materials as conducted within the National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL). Areas of interest include illicit drugs, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, and steroids and steroid metabolites and their deuterates. The discussion covers the prioritization of work requirements, procedures for synthesis and production, quality assurance, characterization, homogeneity, storage and stability testing, and certification of materials. Future plans for establishing traceability are also discussed.     

Development and certification of reference materials for residues of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in beef fat ACSL CRM 1 and 2

Beef fat samples were prepared and tested as candidate reference materials for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. The CRMs consisted of beef fat spiked with pesticide solutions. One sample (ACSL CRM 1) was prepared containing close to 0.2 mg/kg of each of the organochlorine pesticides dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide. A second sample (ACSL CRM 2) was prepared containing close to 0.8 mg/kg of each of the organophosphorus pesticides diazinon, chlorpyrifos and ethion. The spiking levels and homogeneity of the materials were verified. The coefficients of variation of 5 analyses carried out to test between-jar homogeneity for each reference material were dieldrin, 3.5%; heptachlor epoxide, 1.1%; diazinon, 2.1%; chlorpyrifos, 1.2% and ethion, 3.1%. No instability in any of these compounds was detected over a twelve month period. The candidate reference materials were found to be suitable for certification by interlaboratory testing. The certification process was based on a two-stage nested design described in ISO Guide 35. Analysis of results reported by collaborating laboratories provided an assessment of the homogeneity of the reference materials. The certified values together with their upper and lower 95% confidence limits are: ACSL CRM 1*Dieldrin*0.199 mg/kg **(0.188, **0.210 mg/kg) *Heptachlor epoxide*0.194 mg/kg **(0.176, **0.212 mg/kg) ACSL CRM 2*Diazinon*0.805 mg/kg **(0.755, **0.855 mg/kg) *Chlorpyrifos*0.790 mg/kg **(0.728, **0.852 mg/kg) *Ethion*0.813 mg/kg **(0.746, **0.879 mg/kg). A certificate for each material was prepared according to the guidelines set out in ISO Guide 31. Received: 25 April 1997 / Revised: 19 August 1997 / Accepted: 28 August 1997     

Development and certification of reference materials for residues of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides in beef fat ACSL CRM 1 and 2

Beef fat samples were prepared and tested as candidate reference materials for organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides. The CRMs consisted of beef fat spiked with pesticide solutions. One sample (ACSL CRM 1) was prepared containing close to 0.2 mg/kg of each of the organochlorine pesticides dieldrin and heptachlor epoxide. A second sample (ACSL CRM 2) was prepared containing close to 0.8 mg/kg of each of the organophosphorus pesticides diazinon, chlorpyrifos and ethion. The spiking levels and homogeneity of the materials were verified. The coefficients of variation of 5 analyses carried out to test between-jar homogeneity for each reference material were dieldrin, 3.5%; heptachlor epoxide, 1.1%; diazinon, 2.1%; chlorpyrifos, 1.2% and ethion, 3.1%. No instability in any of these compounds was detected over a twelve month period. The candidate reference materials were found to be suitable for certification by interlaboratory testing. The certification process was based on a two-stage nested design described in ISO Guide 35. Analysis of results reported by collaborating laboratories provided an assessment of the homogeneity of the reference materials. The certified values together with their upper and lower 95% confidence limits are: ACSL CRM 1*Dieldrin*0.199 mg/kg **(0.188, **0.210 mg/kg) *Heptachlor epoxide*0.194 mg/kg **(0.176, **0.212 mg/kg) ACSL CRM 2*Diazinon*0.805 mg/kg **(0.755, **0.855 mg/kg) *Chlorpyrifos*0.790 mg/kg **(0.728, **0.852 mg/kg) *Ethion*0.813 mg/kg **(0.746, **0.879 mg/kg). A certificate for each material was prepared according to the guidelines set out in ISO Guide 31.     

甲基对硫磷溶液标准物质的研制

采用重量–容量法研制了1.00 ng/μL甲基对硫磷农药标准物质,对研制的甲醇中甲基对硫磷溶液标准物质量值进行了均匀性和稳定性检验,对定值结果的不确定度进行了评定。结果表明,该标准物质均匀性良好,在一年内量值没有显著性变化,具有良好的稳定性,定值结果的相对扩展不确定度为3%(k=2)。该标准物质可用于农药残留测量结果的准确性评价。     

Development of a reference material for residues of chlorfluazuron and fluazuron in beef fat ACSL CRM 3

A beef fat sample was prepared and tested as candidate reference material for the pesticides chlorfluazuron (CFZ) and fluazuron (FZN). An analytical method employing HPLC with UV absorbance detection was developed for homogeneity and stability testing. The material consisted of beef fat spiked with acetone solutions of CFZ and FZN to achieve concentrations close to 1.0 mg/kg for each compound. The coefficients of variation of 7 analyses carried out to test between-jar homogeneity were 1.8% and 2.3% for FZN and CFZ, respectively. No instability of CFZ was detected over a three month period. The candidate reference material was found to be suitable for certification by interlaboratory testing.     

Preparation of reference material for organochlorine pesticides in a herbal matrix

The development of reference material for four organochlorine pesticides, namely hexachlorobenzene and three isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), in a ginseng root sample is presented. Raw materials (Panax ginseng) were purchased from a local market and confirmed to contain certain levels of incurred organochlorine pesticide residues by a validated gas chromatography-mass selective detection method. A total of more than 300 bottles each containing 25 g of samples were prepared after the materials had been freeze-dried, milled and thoroughly mixed. The homogeneity and stability of samples from randomly selected bottles were verified and the reference values were characterized using a highly precise isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (ID-GCMS) method that was recently developed by our laboratory. The purity of standard organochlorine chemicals was determined against certified reference materials to establish the accuracy of the ID-GCMS analysis. The concentrations (+/- expanded uncertainty) of hexachlorobenzene, alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane in the reference material were 0.198 +/- 0.015, 0.450 +/- 0.022, 0.213 +/- 0.011 and 0.370 +/- 0.032 mg kg(-1), respectively. A portion (70 bottles) of the samples was also used in a proficiency testing (PT) scheme for assessing the testing capabilities of field laboratories. The consensus mean values of the PT obtained from the 70 participants were on the same order but deviated by -2.7 to -14.1% from those of the assigned reference values. Because of the wide spread of participants' data (relative standard deviation ranging from 44 to 56%), the PT results were not included in the calculation of the assigned values of the reference materials. The materials served as suitable reference materials to ascertain the quality control and validation processes for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in herbal matrices.     

Hidden contributors to uncertainty and accuracy of results of residue analysis

Accurate analytical results with known uncertainty are required for the safety assessment of pesticides and testing the conformity of marketed food and feed with the maximum residue limits. The available information on various sources of errors was examined with special emphasis to those which may remain unaccounted for based on the current practice of many laboratories. The method validation typically covers the steps of the pesticide residue determination from the extraction of spiked samples to the instrumental determination, which contribute to only 10–40% of total variance of results. Though the variability of sampling, sample size reduction and sample processing may amount to the 60–90% of total variance, it generally remains unnoticed leading to wrong decisions. Another important source of gross error is the mismatch of the residues analysed and those included in the relevant residue definition. Procedures which may be applied for eliminating or reducing the errors are discussed.     

The external review committee on pure reference materials at the National Analytical Reference Laboratory

The preceding paper described the implementation of a quality assurance system suitable for accreditation to ISO Guide 34 by the Pure Substance Reference Material (PSRM) team of the National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL). One of the key components of this system has been the establishment of an external advisory committee that scrutinises each candidate material that is to be offered as a reference material. At the time of writing 190 reference materials were available from NARL, including a range of illicit drugs and agricultural chemicals in addition to anabolic steroids and their metabolites, and all have been reviewed by the external committee prior to final approval by the accredited production signatory.     

Achieving traceability in chemical measurement—a metrological approach to proficiency testing

ISO/IEC 17025 requires that testing laboratories establish the traceability of their measurements, preferably to the SI units of measurement. The responsibility for establishing traceability lies with each individual laboratory and must be achieved by following a metrological approach.The results of measurements made in such a way are traceable to the standards used in method validation and to the calibration standards used during the measurement process. If these standards are traceable to SI then the measurements will also be traceable to SI.Participation in appropriate proficiency studies (an ISO/IEC 17025 requirement) enables laboratories to demonstrate the comparability of their measurements. If the materials used for the studies have traceable assigned values, then proficiency testing also provides information about measurement accuracy and confirms, or otherwise, that appropriate traceability has been established. This paper will report on a new approach for the establishment of traceable assigned values for chemical testing proficiency studies. The work is conducted at a "fit for purpose" level of measurement uncertainty, with costs contained at a level similar to previous "consensus" based proficiency studies. By establishing traceable assigned values in a cost effective way, NARL aims to demonstrate the added value of the metrological approach to participant laboratories.     

Traceable reference values for routine drinking water proficiency testing: first experiences

Proficiency testing (PT) results have been used to improve traceability in chemical drinking water analysis. With a generalized least-square regression the mass concentrations of As and Sb were calculated in a drinking water that had been used to prepare proficiency testing samples by a spiking procedure. From the mass concentrations in the matrix and the spiked amounts, reference values with an uncertainty budget could be calculated without the need for reference measurements. The degree to which these reference values can be regarded as traceable is discussed. The results showed slight deviations in some samples between reference values and consensus means.     

The establishment of an Australian National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL)

 The National Analytical Reference Laboratory (NARL) was established by the Commonwealth Government within the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL) Public Interest Programme in 1997, to help provide Australian scientists with the chemical standards they need to make reliable measurements. Reliable chemical measurements are vital to many aspects of our social and economic life including public health, environmental control, industrial productivity, trade innovation and government regulation. Mutual recognition of measurement results and the avoidance of costly disputes require the development of a structured and common system of measurement. Working-level measurements should be directly linked to national standards, which are themselves interlinked through international comparisons. Although metrology in chemistry is still in its infancy, increasing numbers of countries are establishing facilities to serve both national needs and to contribute to the international measurement system. The aim at NARL is to lead the development of an Australian chemical measurement system, which is harmonized with similar systems in other countries. This paper was presented at the Co-operation on Traceability in Analytical Chemistry (CITAC) symposium on Analytical Quality Assurance for the Twenty-first Century, held in Sydney on 15–16 October 1998. It describes the rationale for establishing NARL, the process of getting it started, the positioning, aims and strategy of NARL, the development of its work programme and plans for both national and international collaboration. If you would like more information or would like to contribute to the work of NARL please contact us at the above address.     

An inter-laboratory comparison for determination of cortisol in saliva

An inter-laboratory comparison study for cortisol in saliva is reported in the present study. Nine laboratories representing four different methods participated in the study. Each laboratory measured five blind samples prepared from natural saliva spiked with a pure certified reference material in the range 0–70 nmol/L. The average observed values were established as means of eight laboratories, because one laboratory was excluded as an outlier. The natural content of cortisol in the pooled saliva was 6.8 nmol/L. The recovery of the certified reference material was 83%–131% (164% for the outlying laboratory). For five laboratories the 95%-confidence intervals of the recoveries did not cover 100%. The standard deviations for a concentration of 10 nmol/L were estimated for each laboratory. They were 0.64–1.67 nmol/L (6.26 nmol/L for the outlying laboratory). The present study emphasizes the need for an external proficiency-testing scheme and a certified reference material for cortisol in saliva. Received: 8 May 2002 Accepted: 3 September 2002     

Preliminary study to prepare a reference material of toluene metabolite – o-cresol and benzene metabolite-phenol – in human urine

The candidate reference material (RM) was prepared by freeze-drying pooled urine samples obtained from healthy persons occupationally exposed to toluene. Homogeneity testing yielded no significant differences of urinary concentrations of o-cresol and phenol in 15 randomly selected units of RM. Stability testing showed no significant changes of concentrations of the above analytes over a period of 6 months. Property (pre-certified) values of phenol and o-cresol concentrations and their uncertainties (9.06±0.47 mg l⁻¹ and 1.03±0.06 mg l⁻¹, respectively) were estimated from results of a small-scale interlaboratory comparison in which two laboratories participated using four different analytical methods.     

Proficiency test on incurred and spiked pesticide residues in cereals

A proficiency test on incurred and spiked pesticide residues in wheat was organised in 2008. The test material was grown in 2007 and treated in the field with 14 pesticides formulations containing the active substances, alpha-cypermethrin, bifentrin, carbendazim, chlormequat, chlorpyrifos-methyl, difenconazole, epoxiconazole, glyphosate, iprodione, malathion, pirimicarb, prochloraz, spiroxamin and trifloxystrobin. After harvest, the test material was additionally spiked in the laboratory with three pesticides, that where the residues were too low, and axozystrobin. In total, 72 laboratories submitted results and z-scores were calculated for all laboratories and pesticides, except for glyphosate where only five laboratories submitted results and summed weighted z-scores were calculated for the laboratories with a sufficient scope. For several pesticides, the submitted results were strongly depending on the extraction procedure and consequently the assigned values were calculated based on part of the results. Acceptable z-scores were obtained by 56–97% of the participants.     

An interlaboratory study to evaluate potential matrix reference materials for herbicides in water

Matrix reference materials (MRM) are essential tools for the validation of analytical protocols. Nowadays, there are no such materials for the determination of herbicides in water. Pesticides stored in acetonitrile and stored on solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges previously percolated with a water sample spiked with triazines and phenylureas have proven to be good candidates for reference materials because of their satisfactory stability under appropriate temperature conditions. To evaluate the behaviors of these materials containing pesticides and to be analyzed by liquid chromatography, a collaborative study including 15 laboratories has been organized. Observed reproducibility on candidate materials after the removal of extreme results was 16.1% for the vials with pesticides in acetonitrile (at around 0.125 mg/L) directly analyzed, 29.2% for a water sample spiked with the pesticides (at around 0.5 microg/L) analyzed after preconcentration on a cartridge and 26.7% for the cartridges previously percolated with a water containing the pesticides (250 mL at around 0.5 microg/L for each pesticide) analyzed after elution. Such dispersion values are quite compatible with the requirement of a further certification for such materials.     

Preparation of a reference material “Creatinine in Human Urine”

Two batches of a reference material “Creatinine in Human Urine” have been prepared with creatinine concentrations at the physiological level, and used in interlaboratory comparisons in which up to 26 laboratories participated employing up to 4 independent methods. The 95% confidence intervals obtained for the certified creatinine concentrations are better than the “acceptable ranges” of commercially control samples available for clinical laboratories, the certified values being traceable to mean values of the commercial control samples. Thus, a suitable reference material has been prepared for the quality assurance of environmental and occupational health studies in which the concentration of a pollutant or its metabolites in human urine has to be related to the creatinine concentration.     

Effectiveness of pressurized liquid extraction and solvent extraction for the simultaneous quantification of 14 pesticide residues in green tea using GC

A simultaneous multiresidue method to determine 14 different pesticides, namely: flufenoxuron, fenitrothion, chlorfluazuron, chlorpyrifos, hexythiazox, methidathion, chlorfenapyr, tebuconazole, EPN, bifenthrin, cyhalothrin, spirodiclofen, difenoconazole, and azoxystrobin in green tea using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) is described and compared with that of liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). For PLE, the extraction conditions were not optimized. Rather they were selected based upon previous successful investigations published by our laboratory. Analysis was performed by GC with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), and the pesticide identity of the positive samples was confirmed by GC-MS in a selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. Calibration curves showed an excellent linearity for concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 36.049 ppm, with r(2) >0.995. Green tea spiked at each of the two fortification levels, yielded average recoveries in the range of 87-112% and 71-109% for PLE and LLE, respectively. Precision values, expressed as RSDs, were below 6% at various spiking levels. With respect to the existing procedures, both methods gave LOQs that were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Both methods have been successfully applied to the analysis of real samples, and bifenthrin was the only pesticide residue quantified in incurred green tea samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.093 ppm (LLE) to 0.1 ppm (PLE). These concentration levels were relatively low compared to KFDA-MRL (0.3 ppm). According to the validation data and performance characteristics, both methods are appropriate for multiresidue analysis of pesticide residues in green tea. PLE methodology showed superiority in recoveries of some pesticides, acceptable accuracy and precision while minimizing environmental concerns, time, and labor, and can be applied in routine analytical laboratories.