Release of a new Certified Reference Material for the analysis of specified toxic substances in fish
20 January 2020The JRC released a new fish Certified Reference Material
for the analysis of the flame retardants polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
PBDEs
are toxic and endocrine-disruptive substances that have to be monitored in the
environment (EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC) and in food (Commission
Recommendation 2014/118/EU). Despite the ban and restriction on their
production and use since 15 years, PBDEs are bio-accumulative contaminants
still found ubiquitously in our environment and food.
They
are regulated by the EU Water Framework Directive not to exceed an
environmental quality standard in water and biota (fish). They have to be
monitored in fish and seafood (among other food commodities) with analytical
methods capable of reaching a set limit of quantification.
Both
in environmental and food-related legislation, the analysis of reference
materials is recommended for ensuring the quality and comparability of
measurement results. The new Certified Reference Material (ERM®-CE102)
satisfies this need and this will thus increase accuracy and comparability of
measurement results targeting compliance with these regulations.
ERM®-CE102
was produced as a wet paste of fish tissue homogenate and certified (relative
to wet weight) for the following PBDEs of primary interest: BDE-47, -99, -100,
-153 and -154. Indicative values were assigned to BDE-28 and -183.
The
commutability (or similarity of analytical behavior to routine samples) of ERM®-CE102
is ensured by the use of naturally contaminated fish for its preparation and by
its presentation as wet paste.
The
certified values were assigned relative to wet weight, thereby avoiding the
application of dry to wet mass fraction conversion factors (as would be
necessary in the case of freeze-dried materials).
ERM®-CE102
will be a useful quality assurance/quality control tool for compliance check
towards legal limits, especially if established on a wet weight basis (e.g. WFD
environmental quality standards, limit of quantification in the food control
sector).
Further
details on ERM®-CE102 can be found in the certificate and certification report
available in our on-line catalogue: ERM-CE102.
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