We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
CONSIDERATIONS IN THE SELECTION OF COMMERCIAL ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES.
- Authors
Richkus, William A.
- Abstract
The public is concerned about the direct and indirect introduction of toxic materials into the aquatic environment. As a result, many biologists must deal with the effects of unfamiliar chemical substances on biota, and many turn to commercial laboratories for analytical assistance. A case study demonstrates the problems associated with the use of such laboratories. The study goal was to determine trace metal body burdens for several groups of biota. Unidentified replicate and split samples of freeze-dried tissues were distributed to three laboratories for analysis of 11 metals. Unidentified NBS standards were also distributed. Accuracy and precision of the laboratories differed markedly. Good precision (based on split samples) was shown by only one laboratory, and most results from all three laboratories did not fall within 95% confidence limits of NBS standards. Extreme care must be exercised in selecting analytical laboratories, and quality control procedures independent of those used by the laboratories should be followed to ensure the validity of data obtained.
- Publication
Fisheries, 1984, Vol 9, Issue 5, p12
- ISSN
0363-2415
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1577/1548-8446(1984)009<0012:CITSOC>2.0.CO;2