Proficiency testing for total mercury in oyster with a metrologically traceable reference value from isotope dilution mass spectrometry: implications on laboratory practices using mercury analyzers

• Published in: Accreditation and quality assurance Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 253 - 261
• Main Authors: Kim, Hwijin, Hwang, Euijin, Park, Jwahaeng, Heo, Sung Woo, Yim, Yong-Hyeon, Lim, Youngran, Lim, Myung Chul, Lee, Jong Wha, Lee, Kyoung-Seok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-08-2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Analytical Chemistry; Analyzers; Biochemistry; Calibration; Chemical properties; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Commercial Law; Dilution; Ecotoxicology; Food; Food Science; General Paper; International System of Units; Isotopes; Laboratories; Marketing; Mass spectrometry; Oysters; Ratios; Scientific imaging; Thermal decomposition; South Korea; Seoul South Korea; United States > US; Germany; Isotope dilution mass spectrometry; Certified reference value; Mercury; Proficiency testing; Metrological traceability; Mercury analyzer
• ISSN: 0949-1775; 1432-0517
• DOI: 10.1007/s00769-019-01379-7

Mercury is a toxic element of particular concern for the environment and human health, but its accurate analysis is challenging due to its unique physical and chemical properties. In order to enhance the quality and traceability of measurements, a proficiency testing (PT) program (MFDS-PT-101FM-2017) for mercury in oyster tissue has been conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of Korea. A majority of the participating laboratories have used commercial mercury analyzers based on thermal decomposition amalgamation atomic absorption spectrometry (TDA–AAS). Good agreement between the participants’ results and the reference value (RV) was observed, where the RV is traceable to the International System of Units and verified for international equivalence. The results of this PT program support the participating laboratories in demonstrating their competence in quantitative analysis, and show the potential of commercial TDA–AAS systems for accurate mercury analysis.