Critical Evaluation of Interlaboratory Comparisons for PAHs and Pesticides in Organic Standard Solutions in Support of the Implementation of the Water Framework Directive

Several proficiency tests were organized within the framework of a European project called SWIFT-WFD in view of implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Among others, the parameters studied were PAHs and pesticides in organic standard solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of the art in Europe and possible sources of bias in calibration procedures. More than 30 laboratories across Europe took part in this study. These laboratories used their regular in-house analytical methods. The analytical results obtained are discussed. The averages of the results for all analytes agreed partially with the values of the gravimetric sample preparation. Most of the participants in both exercises obtained satisfactory Z-scores. However significant outlier rates (in most of the cases around 20 % of the submitted data sets) indicate that laboratories across Europe need to improve the quality of the analytical data they deliver. Some questions regarding the use of Z-scores to evaluate the laboratory performance are also raised.

RICCI Marina;  BERCARU Ofelia;  MORABITO R.;  BRUNORI C.;  IPOLYI Ildi;  PELLEGRINO Caterina;  SAHUQUILLO Angels;  ULBERTH Franz; 

2007-12-06

ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON

JRC37828

0165-9936,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC37828,   

10.1016/j.trac.2007.06.005,