Working group
PROFEA was launched as a proficiency testing (PT) scheme in the field of soil analysis by BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in autumn 2006.
Although primarily projected as a regional European PT scheme, PROFEA is also open for testing laboratories outside Europe.
The main objectives of PROFEA are:
PROFEA is operated in full compliance with „The International Harmonized Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories“ (IUPAC Technical Report, 2006), the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2010 (Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing) and ISO 13528:2005 (Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons).
The PT scheme is mainly focussed on the analysis of “real-world“ soils which were collected from contaminated sites to provide similar matrix compositions and analyte contents as routinely encountered in the daily work of testing laboratories.
Above all PROFEA is aiming at the correct use of EN and ISO standard testing procedures.
Preparation, bottling and homogeneity testing of the samples to be analysed are performed by BAM. Depending on the analytes to be determined in the framework of a specific PT round, the assigned values are either calculated using analytical data obtained in several BAM working groups, or they correspond to the robust consensus means of PT previous PT runs in which the same samples were used.
Performance of participating laboratories is assessed for each analyte under test on the basis of the difference between a laboratory´s result and the corresponding assigned value.
As a performance measure the Z-score is calculated for each individual result according to
Z = (Xlab – XRef)/sRef
where Xlab is the individual result, XRef is the assigned value, and sRef is a set target value for scaling the deviation of Xlab from XRef. The values for sRef are assigned by BAM according to the required (expected) performance of routine analyses taking into account the contents of the relevant analytes in the test samples.
Z-scores should be interpreted as follows:
PT samples will be dispatched by standard air parcel service together with all instructions concerning the required analyses and reporting of data. Participants have to return their results within a specified deadline, usually within four weeks.
Following the statistical evaluation of obtained PT results an individual certificate of participation showing only laboratory´s results and Z-scores will be sent to each participant as a hard copy. A PT report which includes graphical and tabular presentations of all received results (which are generally made anonymous) will be sent to participants electronically as a PDF file two months after the results deadline. PROFEA is fully confidential, with all participants only identified in the report by an individual code number.
Concerning the benefit for participants, PROFEA should primarily be regarded as a self-help tool that enables participating laboratories to detect sources of error in their measurement results obtained for particular analytes.
Next round of PROFEA will take place in October 2011 including five different soil samples.
Analytes to be determined are
| in soil sample S1: | 16 selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
according to EPA following ISO 13877:1998 (HPLC) or ISO 18287:2006
(GC-MS) |
|---|---|
| in soil sample S2: | Hydrocarbons in the range C10 to
C40 (TPH) according to ISO 16703:2004 (GC-FID) |
| in soil sample S3: | 7 selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-118, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180) according to ISO 10382:2002 (GC-ECD) or EN 15308:2008 (GC-MS or GC-ECD) |
| in soil sample S4: | As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V and Zn after extraction with aqua regia according to ISO 11466:1995 (for the analysis of the extracts participants may use the method of their choice, e.g. AAS, ICP OES or ICP-MS) |
| in soil sample S5: | Total cyanide according to ISO 11262:2003 or with continuous-flow analysis method according to ISO 17380:2004 |
It is up to the participants to choose the samples they want to analyse as well as the analytes they want to determine (the full range or only a selection of the indicated analytes).
Fees to be paid before sample dispatch are EUR 185,- for sample S1, EUR 125,- for sample S2, EUR 165,- for sample S3, EUR 155,- for sample S4, and EUR 125,- for sample S5.
VAT or mailing expenses will not be charged.
| Deadline for registration: |
23 September 2011
An official registration form and information about participation fee transfer options will be delivered after BAM has received a declaration of interest. |
|---|---|
| Delivery of samples: |
18 October 2011
|
| Results deadline: |
11 November 2011
|
For ordering the registration form and for technical information concerning the determination of inorganic analytes (samples S4 and S5) please contact:
Dr. Holger Scharf
BAM Federal Institute for Materials
Research and Testing
Department 1: Analytical Chemistry;
Reference Materials
Richard-Willstaetter-Str. 11
12489 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 30 8104-1114
Fax: +49 30
8104-1117
Email: holger.scharf@bam.de
For technical information concerning the determination of organic analytes (samples S1, S2 and S3) please contact:
Dr. Roland Becker
Email: roland.becker@bam.de
Report to Participants
PROFEA 2007 (Download)
PROFEA 2008 (Download)
PROFEA 2009 (Download)
PROFEA 2010 (Download)
BAM is offering several Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for the
determination of PAHs, TPH and trace elements in soils, respectively. Please
find the catalogue on the homepage of BAM
www.bam.de > Expert Information > Reference Materials > CRM-catalogue (PDF).
The mentioned CRMs are listed in Environment (PDF).
They can be ordered via the BAM webshop (www.webshop.bam.de).
