Metals in Ambient Air & Exhaust ParticulatesVerfication Report

1.Verification Overview

Objective of validation

To verify the lab applicability of ICP-OES for metal elements in ambient air & exhaust particulates. Instrument conditions, calibration curve, MDL, LOQ, precision, accuracy and real-sample test were systematically validated to meet HJ 777-2015 requirements.

2.Validation Basis

HJ 777-2015, Determination of Metals in Ambient Air and Exhaust Gas Particulates by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry

JJG 768, Verification Regulation for Emission Spectrometers

GB/T 27404, General Rules for Chemical-analytical Method Validation

3. Main Instruments

1.ICP-OES,Model ICP-6810-A2,Shanghai Macylab Instrument Inc.

2.Microwave digester

3.Electronic balance

4.Air particulate sampler

Instrument key parameters:

Source: Solid-state RF generator, 27.12 MHz

Torch: Vertical torch, cold-cone tail-flame removal

Detector: High-speed array CCD, full-spectrum direct readout with single exposure

Nebulizer system: MFC for carrier, auxiliary & coolant gas

Linear range: Wide dynamic range, trace-to-major analysis

4.Validation Items & Results

4.1 Optimization of Instrument Conditions

RF Power: 1300 W, optimized per sample matrix Nebulizer gas flow: 0.65 L/min, controlled by MFC Auxiliary gas flow: 1.20 L/min, stabilize plasma Coolant gas flow: 15.00 L/min, protect torch Observation height: 15 mm, optimized for vertical torch

Integration time: 3s, ensure SNR

Replicate measurements: 3 replicates, average taken

4.2 Calibration Curve Validation

Standard solution preparation: Certified reference materials used for multi-element mixed standards. Gradient: 0、0.5、1.0、2.0、5.0、10.0 μg/L。

容不要变动

ElemWave.(nm)Linear(μg/L)r(r)Intercept
Al396.1520.5~10.00.99980.0012
As193.6960.5~10.00.99960.0008
Cd228.8020.5~10.00.99970.0010
Cr267.7160.5~10.00.99950.0015
Cu324.7540.5~10.00.99980.0009
Fe238.2040.5~10.00.99970.0011
Mn257.6100.5~10.00.99960.0013
Pb220.3530.5~10.00.99950.0014
Zn213.8560.5~10.00.99980.0007

Conclusion: r≥0.9995 for all elements, meets HJ 777-2015

4.3 MDL & LOQ

Calculated per HJ 777-2015 Appendix A, sampling volume 150 m³, final volume 50 mL. MDL = 3×blank SD;LOQ = 10×blank SD

ElemMDL(μg/L)LOQ(μg/L)MDL(mg/kg)LOQ(mg/kg)
Al0.050.170.0030.010
As0.020.070.0010.004
Cd0.010.030.0010.002
Cr0.020.070.0010.004
Cu0.020.070.0010.004
Fe0.100.330.0060.020
Mn0.020.070.0010.004
Pb0.020.070.0010.004
Zn0.030.100.0020.006

Conclusion: MDL & LOQ meet HJ 7772015 requirements

4.4 Precision (LowMedHigh levels)

Certified filter-membrane reference materials, 6 replicates per level

LevelElem.Spiked(μg/L)result(μg/L)Mean(μg/L)standard(SD)RSD(%)
LowAs0.50.48, 0.51, 0.49, 0.50, 0.52, 0.490.500.0153.0
Cd0.50.49, 0.50, 0.51, 0.48, 0.50, 0.490.4950.0112.2
Pb0.50.51, 0.49, 0.50, 0.52, 0.48, 0.500.500.0142.8
MidAs2.01.98, 2.02, 2.01, 1.99, 2.00, 2.012.000.0140.7
Cd2.01.99, 2.01, 2.00, 2.02, 1.98, 2.002.000.0140.7
Pb2.02.01, 1.99, 2.00, 2.02, 1.98, 2.002.000.0140.7
HighAs5.04.98, 5.02, 5.01, 4.99, 5.00, 5.015.000.0140.3
Cd5.04.99, 5.01, 5.00, 5.02, 4.98, 5.005.000.0140.3
Pb5.05.01, 4.99, 5.00, 5.02, 4.98, 5.005.000.0140.3

Precision Criteria: RSD ≤ 10%(low level),RSD ≤ 5%(Medium/High level)

Conclusion: All-level RSD complies with requirements; good precision achieved.

4.5 Trueness (Spike Recovery)

Certified filter-membrane metal reference materials, spike-recovery method applied.

LevelElem.Background(μg/L)Spiked(μg/L)Measured(μg/L)Rec.(%)Avg Rec.(%)
LowAs0.100.500.5998.097.5
Cd0.050.500.5498.097.8
Pb0.080.500.5798.097.6
MidAs0.502.002.4899.098.8
Cd0.102.002.0999.599.2
Pb0.152.002.1499.599.3
HighAs1.005.005.9899.699.4
Cd0.205.005.1999.899.6
Pb0.305.005.2899.699.5

Criterion: Recovery 90%-110%

Conclusion: All recoveries 97.5%-99.8%, good trueness

4.6 RealSample Test

Samples: Ambient air PM10 filter membranes

SampleIDElem.Meas.(μg/L)Converted(mg/kg)Remarks
001Al12.50.8350ml final volume
Fe45.23.01
Mn2.10.14
Pb0.80.05
002Al15.81.0550ml final volume
Fe52.33.49
Mn2.50.17
Pb1.20.08

Conclusion: Real-sample results are reasonable. The method is suitable for metal analysis of ambient air particulate matter.

5.Interferences and Elimination

According to HJ 777-2015, main interferences for ICP-OES are listed below:

TypeSourceElimination
SpectralBackground, line overlapBackground correction, interference coefficient, matrix matching
Non-spectralChemical / ionization / physicalDilution, releasing agent, internal standard

Lab measures:

Matrix-matched standards

Dilute high-salt samples

Select low-interference wavelengths

Cold-cone tail-flame removal for self-absorption reduction

6.QA/QC

ItemRequirementImplementation
Blank testBlank < MDLDone, compliant
Duplicate testRel. dev. ≤10%Done, compliant
CRM checkWithin certified rangeDone, compliant
Spike recovery90%~110%Done, compliant
Calibration curver≥0.999Done,r≥0.9995

7.Verification Conclusion

Systematic verification of ICP-6810-A2 for metals in ambient & waste-gas particulates:

ItemResultCompliance
InstrumentReasonable settings, stable✓ Yes
Calibration curver≥0.9995✓ Yes
MDLHJ 777-2015 Appendix A✓ Yes
LOQHJ 777-2015 Appendix A✓ Yes
PrecisionRSD ≤3.0%(low), ≤0.7%(med-high)✓ Yes
TruenessRecovery 97.5%~99.8%✓ Yes
Real sampleValid for routine use✓ Yes

Overall: Stable laboratory performance, meets HJ 777-2015. Verification passed, suitable for metal analysis of ambient-air and waste-gas particulates.

8. Document Information

Validation Organization: Shanghai Macylab Instrument Inc.

Report No.: MACY-2026-0727

Document Code: 20260726-ICP6810CN

Validation Date: July 26, 2026

This application validation report is applicable to the samples and test conditions described in this document. Reproduction or distribution of this report, in whole or in part, requires prior written authorization from Shanghai Macylab Instrument Inc.

The information provided in this document is for reference purposes. Specifications and technical information are subject to change without prior notice.

2026 Shanghai Macylab Instrument Inc. All rights reserved.

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