CALCULATION OF DETECTION LIMIT, IDENTIFICATION LIMIT AND DETERMINATION LIMIT ACCORDING TO DIN-32645 WITH THE AID OF A COMPUTER-PROGRAM

The new German standard specification DIN 32645 defines detection, identification and determination limit of analytical experiments and contains formulas for their calculation. The detection limit is a qualitative value, only at the determination limit a quantitative statement is possible. The identification limit is no limit of decision for analyses. The expenditure for calculating these parameters is considerable. Therefore, a computer program was developed and tested at the analysis of herbicides with GC-MS after enrichment with solid phase extraction (SPE). It proved that the program is also very useful at the development of analytical methods, because it allows a quick examination of changes of the analytical method. After optimization detection limits for the herbicides were achieved which amount 10-20% of the limit of the German drinking water regulation.