Improvements to Standard Methodologies for the Analytical Determination of Metals in Stationary-Source Emissions Samples

Abstract

ABSTRACT Deficiencies with the current European reference method for the analysis using inductively couple plasma–mass spectrometry of metals in samples from stationary emissions sources are presented based on experimental data obtained from real samples. The effect of these deficiencies on the quality and accuracy of data is highlighted with biases of up to 40% being observed in real samples. Suggestions to improve the performance of the standard method are presented. In particular, the beneficial effect of using a drift correction procedure to account for the decrease in instrument sensitivity observed during an analytical measurement series is demonstrated. It is shown that this corrective procedure results in substantial improvements to the accuracy of data produced. IMPLICATIONS This work highlights the deficiencies in the analytical and quality control specifications of documentary standard methods for the determination of metals in stationary-source emissions and the systematic biases in analysis that can occur as a result. There are implications of this work for policy-makers and enforcement officers with respect to the real possibility of mistakes being made when gauging compliance with legislative emissions limits when using current methods. The solutions presented to ensure accurate measurements will be of interest to documentary standards experts and legislators to consider when the relevant standards are next revised.