Abstract
Method detection limits have often been misunderstood and misused. The basic definitions developed by Lloyd Currie and others have been combined with assumptions that are inappropriate for many types of radiochemical analyses. A practical way for determining detection limits based on Currie's basic definition is presented that removes the reliance on assumptions and that accounts for the total measurement uncertainty. Examples of proper and improper use of detection limits are also presented, including detection limits reported by commercial software for gamma spectroscopy and neutron activation analyses.
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References
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Rucker, T.L. Methodologies for the practical determination and use of method detection limits. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 192, 345–350 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02041739
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02041739