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Guide for Environmental Analysis by ICP-MS: Streamline Workflows for Accurate Results
eBook
Last Updated: May 2, 2024
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Published: April 26, 2024
Credit: Thermo Fisher Scientific
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instruments are commonly used throughout the environmental industry due to their speed, high sensitivity and ability to detect trace and ultra-trace elements.
However, challenges such as sample complexity, instrument calibration, and contamination can affect the reliability of ICP-MS instruments. Therefore, rigorous sample preparation and adherence to best practices are crucial to maintaining accuracy and compliance with environmental regulations.
This eBook discusses recommendations for getting started and best practices to achieve reliable and accurate results using ICP-MS.
Download this eBook to discover:
Introduction to environmental laws, regulations, and fundamentals for trace and ultra-trace elemental analysis
Best practices for getting started and streamlining workflows for reduced errors and accurate results
Instrument optimization, pre-analysis inspections, and maintenance routines to ensure a smooth analysis
Data analysis and troubleshooting guidance to identify and resolve analytical issues
Environmental analysis essentially encompasses the application of various
analytical techniques to obtain information about the environment for
pollution and toxicity assessment. It goes beyond the testing of drinking water,
wastewater, and ground and surface waters to ensure public protection and
compliance with the standards set by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA). It also entails a broad range of testing and applications:
The testing of water, soil, air, and industrial wastes for pollution
and hazard assessment is driven by federal, state, and local
environmental laws and regulations. Some of the federal laws
enacted for solid waste management, the preservation of
waters of the United States, and for public, aquatic, and wildlife
protection are summarized in the following sections. Associated
regulations, programs, and federal offices responsible for working
with state agencies, local governments, local health departments,
and public utilities for the implementation of these laws are also
summarized for additional context.
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Guide for environmental sample analysis by ICP-MS < Contents
Introduction
Clean Water Act (CWA)
The CWA, originally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, passed in 1948, was restructured and expanded in 1972
to the CWA.1 It established the structure for regulating the
discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States2
and for regulating surface water quality standards. Under the
CWA, industrial wastewater standards were set, prohibiting the
discharge of pollutants by industries from a point source into a
river, lake, stream, etc. without an NPDES permit.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES)
The EPA gives most of the states the authority to enforce and
administer the NPDES permit program and to issue permits.
The permit includes effluent limits, monitoring and reporting
requirements, and other stipulations to ensure water quality
and public health are not compromised due to pollutant
discharge by industrial plants and other facilities.3
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
The SDWA, passed by Congress in 1974, is the law that protects
public health by regulating the public drinking water supply.
In 1986 and 1996 the law was amended, requiring additional
actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. The EPA set
standards for drinking water under the SDWA and oversees the
implementation of these standards by states, municipalities, and
water suppliers. The SDWA applies to all public water systems
(PWS).4 Note, the SDWA does not apply to bottled water which
is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).5
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR)
The EPA established the NPDWR under the SDWA as legally
enforceable standards that limit the levels of contaminants
in drinking water to ensure quality and protect the public.
The NPDWR standards and treatment techniques are
applicable to all PWS. The standard is organized into six
groups of pollutants, one of which is Inorganic Chemicals,
where metals (e.g., Pb, As, Hg, Cd) are covered.6
1.1 Overview of key U.S. EPA laws
and regulations for water
Figure 1.2 The discharge of wastewater by industries into navigable
waters requires an NPDES permit.
Figure 1.3 Surface and ground waters, such
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