Ambient Air quality Monitoring Guidlines. - Maharashtra Pollution ...

(ii) Determination of the Assigned Value
There are various procedures available for the establishment of assigned values. The
most common procedures are listed below in an order that, in most cases will result in
increasing uncertainty for the assigned value. These procedures involve use of:
d) Known values- with results determined by specific test item formulation (e.g.
manufacture or dilution).
e) Certified reference value-as determined by definitive methods (for quantitative
tests).
f) Reference values:- as determined by analysis, measurement or comparison of
the test item alongside a reference material or standard, traceable to a national
or international standard.
(iii) Statistical Evaluation of Test Results
Appropriate statistical design of a proficiency testing scheme is essential. Careful
consideration is given to the following matters and their interaction.
g) The precision and trueness of the test(s) involved;
h) The smallest differences to be detected between participating laboratories at a
desired confidence level;
i) The number of participating laboratories;
j) The number of samples to be tested and the number of repeat tests or
measurements to be carried out on each sample;
k) The procedure to be used to estimate the assigned value;
l) Procedures to be used to identify outliers.
3. Benefits of Inter Laboratory Testing
The direct benefits of participation of proficiency testing are
- It provides an objective means of assessing and demonstrating the reliability of
the data they are producing
- Laboratories can claim that they can perform testing competently
- It supplements laboratories own internal quality control procedures by providing
an additional external audit of the testing capability
- Laboratories can prove their testing capabilities to users that the results
produced by them are reliable.
The results from proficiency testing programme are useful to the participating
laboratories. Successful participation in specific programme may represent evidence of
competence for that exercise. Similarly, unsuccessful performance may reflect a
random departure from laboratory’s normal state of competence. Participation in
proficiency testing programme helps the laboratories to assess and demonstrate the
reliability of the data they are producing. One of the main uses of the proficiency testing
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