A proficiency testing was held in 2010 in order to understand the analytical competence of the joined laboratories for heavy metals in drinking water. Given drinking water was used as the testing materials that showed consistent and effective in terms of homogeneity and stability. A total of 26 laboratories participated in the test, including 4 and 22 laboratories from local health bureaus and private sectors, respectively. The analytical results were analyzed using Robust-Z statistics into three grading categories as follows: |Z-score| ≦ 2 as ‘satisfactory’, 2 < |Z-score| < 3 as ‘acceptable’ and |Z-score| ≧ 3 as ‘unsatisfactory’. Among the laboratories evaluated, the satisfactory percentage were in the range of 82.3-93.8%, 81.3-87.5%, 82.3-100%, 82.4-88.2%, 81.3-85.7%, 87.5-93.3% for lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, respectively. Laboratories graded in the category of ‘unsatisfactory’ were mandated to provide a report of correction, as well as were requested to take the second test. Laboratories are expected to consistently improve their quality control system through this proficiency testing.
A proficiency testing was held in 2010 in order to understand the analytical competence of the joined laboratories for heavy metals in drinking water. Given drinking water was used as the testing materials that showed consistent and effective in terms of homogeneity and stability. A total of 26 laboratories participated in the test, including 4 and 22 laboratories from local health bureaus and private sectors, respectively. The analytical results were analyzed using Robust-Z statistics into three grading categories as follows: |Z-score| ≦ 2 as ‘satisfactory’, 2 < |Z-score| < 3 as ‘acceptable’ and |Z-score| ≧ 3 as ‘unsatisfactory’. Among the laboratories evaluated, the satisfactory percentage were in the range of 82.3-93.8%, 81.3-87.5%, 82.3-100%, 82.4-88.2%, 81.3-85.7%, 87.5-93.3% for lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, respectively. Laboratories graded in the category of ‘unsatisfactory’ were mandated to provide a report of correction, as well as were requested to take the second test. Laboratories are expected to consistently improve their quality control system through this proficiency testing.