CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF CADMIUM IN POLYETHYLENE

Four polyethylene reference materials with cadmium concentrations in the range of 40 to 400 mg/kg have been certified by IRMM on behalf of Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA), Frankfurt, Germany. The homogeneity of the materials was verified using Solid Sampling Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (SS-ZAAS). Their cadmium content was determined by Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) using a quadrupole thermal ionization mass spectrometer. The certified uncertainties were about 3% relative and correspond to confidence levels of 95%; they take into account all contributions of statistical and systematic nature. The material was used within the scope of IRMM's International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP).