Column: Atomic Perspectives

Robert Thomas has more than 30 years of experience in trace element analysis. He is the principal of his own freelance writing and scientific consulting company, Scientific Solutions, based in Gaithersburg, MD.

Articles

The use of ICP-MS is constantly expanding into an ever-wider variety of applications. We assess the current landscape and where the technique is going in the future.

40 Years Old and Still Solving Problems: Evolution of the ICP-MS Application Landscape

Is ICP-MS instrumentation ready to handle the requirements of AOAC Method 2015.01 for the determination of toxic elements in food—including dealing with interferences? We ran this study to check.

Determination of Toxic Elements in Food by ICP-MS Using AOAC Method 2015.01

Understanding the proper ways to plan, run, and report proficiency tests will help you avoid errors and contamination.

A Look at Inorganic Analyses, Proficiency Tests, and Best Practices, Part II

Proficiency testing (PT) can assess the performance of individuals or laboratories, but it’s important to understand how to do it properly.

What Does Your Proficiency Testing (PT) Prove? A Look at Inorganic Analyses, Proficiency Tests, and Contamination and Error, Part I

Laser ablation laser ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LALI-TOF-MS) can quantify elemental constituents without the need for matrix-matching, making it attractive for metals testing, particularly for additive manufacturing.

Using an Innovative Mass Spectrometer and Non-Matrix–Matched Reference Materials to Quantify Composition of Metal Disks and Powders

How can you assess real-world detection capability of an ICP-MS system?

Impact of Measurement Protocol on ICP-MS Data Quality Objectives: Part II

The way the analytical signal is managed in ICP-MS has a direct impact on the results generated. In this first of a two-part series, we explain the fundamental principles of a scanning quadrupole and how measurement protocols can be optimized based on data quality objectives.

Impact of Measurement Protocol on ICP-MS Data Quality Objectives: Part I

A recent investigation found dangerous levels of heavy metals in commercial baby foods. Tighter scrutiny and regulations are needed.

Regulating Heavy Metals in Baby Food: The Challenges of Food Manufacturers and the FDA Being on the Same Page

EPA Method 200.8 and the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions don’t allow use of modern ICP-MS technology with a collision cell. Instead, correction equations can be used to compensate for polyatomic interferences.

Analyzing Water Samples Using EPA Method 200.8 to Support the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions

Analysis of heavy metals in pet food using ICP–OES was conducted to determine if there were potentially toxic elements present. Many of the samples showed significant concentrations of various toxic metals.