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Stability of low-concentration calibration standards for graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Journal Article · · At. Spectrosc.
OSTI ID:937930
Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) is used for the determination of ultra-trace metals in a wide variety of materials such as alloys, biological fluids and tissues, pure solvents and solutions, organic extracts, and environmental samples. The Statement of Work (SOW) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) requires that low-concentration calibration standards be prepared fresh daily or each time an analysis is made and discarded after use. This requirement results in significant cost to laboratories for chemicals, labor, and waste management. While EPA SW-846 is less prescriptive than the CLP SOW, laboratories often follow the CLP requirements because criteria regarding the stability of GFAAS standards have not been established. The objective of our study was to determine the stability of both single and mixed analyte GFAAS standards for analytes commonly determined in our laboratory. Data were collected over nine months. The results show that GFAAS standards for Sb, Pb, Se, Ag, and Tl are stable for a longer period than currently assumed by the CLP SOW. Reducing the frequency at which these standards are prepared will increase efficiency and reduce the handling of hazardous substances, the quantity of hazardous waste generated, and the quantity of hazardous substances that must be ordered and stocked by the laboratory. These benefits will lead to improved safety, lowered costs, and reduced environmental concerns.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
937930
Report Number(s):
ANL/CMT-ACL/JA-23992
Journal Information:
At. Spectrosc., Journal Name: At. Spectrosc. Journal Issue: 1 ; 1997 Vol. 18; ISSN 0195-5373; ISSN ASPND7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH