Performances and limitations of the HRMS method for dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs analysis in animal feedingstuffs: Part II: Does it comply with the European pro-active approach? Original Research Article

Based on the results obtained from the inter-laboratory study in Part 1, different approaches for detection and quantification limits are evaluated and discussed. An overview of the most commonly used concepts and terminologies in analytical chemistry is presented with the aim of establishing a link between them. Whatever the method used by laboratories for detection limit assessment, the median LOD value reported for the less chlorinated PCDD/Fs (i.e. 0.02 ng/kg) is in good agreement with the values recalculated using the inter-laboratory data. For LOQ, the Eurachem approach based on a pre-established percentage of repeatability RSD appears to be suitable. The study shows that a pre-established RSDr of 20% is recommended in order to achieve an acceptable LOQ of 0.05 ng/kg per congener. The 20% value seems to be sufficiently low to get tolerable RSD close to maximum limits. Furthermore, the repeatability and the reproducibility standard deviation against parts-per-trillion congener levels has been modeled by inverse first order functions. This congener precision model provides an interesting tool to subsequently assess the performances of the method in TEQ close to regulatory limits. Finally, the paper discusses two different ways of reporting and interpreting the results to assess compliance against statutory limits.