Regulation – From an industry perspective or: Relationships between detection limits, quantitation limits, and significant digits

This article develops the concepts of detection and quantitation limits, as advanced by Currie. It interprets and extends the calibration-based Hubaux–Vos detection limit, DLH–V, in the context of trace-level measurements. Recommendations are made for statistically sound data reporting and decision-making under uncertainty. It is shown that relative measurement error derived from calibration error bands can be related to significant digits, DLH–V, and a quantitation limit that ensures at least one significant digit in a reported measurement. An example is given of a calibration/DL study for measuring PCB concentrations in water by GC.