• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.447-462
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aims to develop distributable samples that can be used for proficiency testing to verify the ability of the testing laboratory to perform high temperature and low temperature tests. Method: In this study, the temperature-resistance characteristics of the NTC thermistor were used to develop samples. The homogeneity and stability of samples were examined according to the proficiency testing requirements. Results: Thirty samples with homogeneity and stability were developed and used for the proficiency testing. Thus, it was possible to distinguish between the test laboratories that showed satisfactory results and those that did not. Conclusion: It was the first time to develop samples that can be used for proficiency testing in high temperature and low temperature tests. and it was proved that the proficiency test program can be operated using the characteristics of NTC thermistor.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2015

Acute toxicity test with Daphnia magna has a variety of factors such as incubation condition of test species, food quality and proficiency of laboratory workers. Therefore, proper proficiency testing samples were required for evaluating the competence of laboratory workers. This study aims to propose some appropriate proficiency testing samples for laboratory workers of acute toxicity test with Daphnia magna. Proposed four kinds of standard samples (Sample A, B, C, and D) for proficiency testing were selected from reference materials which were recommended from Canada and USA WET(Whole Effluent Toxicity) authorities. Proposed standard samples were tested by trial application of proficiency testing, homogeneity and stability checks using repeatability test. Sample A, C and D were estimated ad the suitable candidates for proficiency test standard samples except for Sample B. In addition, Sample A was proved to be the most suitable sample.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.568-573
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• 2013

In this study, we conducted whole effluent toxicity (WET) proficiency testing based on the results which $EC_{50}$ value of 3 types (A, B, C) unknown samples calculated from 32 water quality measurement agencies in Korea. WET proficiency testing was expected to their improve of analysis skill and ensure reliability of analysis results. Ultimately, it is intended to promote the reliable enforcement of WET. WET proficiency testing was evaluated using the z-score, robust z-score and the results showed that 30 participating agencies were "compliance". In addition, $EC_{50}$ values of "unknown sample A" were the normal distribution. Therefore, "unknown sample A" was considered as the most suitable standard toxicity substance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to develop formaldehyde samples for quality control (QC) and to test the applicability of proficiency analytical testing in Korea. Methods: We made formaldehyde samples with certified standard solutions (formaldehyde in water or acetonitrile) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH)-coated silicagel tubes. Four levels of formaldehyde concentration were tested for storage stability at room temperature and at 4℃ over three months. Analytical proficiency testing was performed with four or 36 institutes. Results: Formaldehyde sample tubes were easily made through the injection of standard solutions and the average efficiencies of recovery were 95-101%. The coefficients of variation (CV) of the formaldehyde samples were 1.39-2.55%. The recovery efficiencies fell between 90% and 110% at the concentration range of 1-10 ㎍/sample over three months storage at refrigerated and room temperature. The CVs were less than 5% in the proficiency analytical testing. By adjusted proficient ranges, 64% of the results of the second proficiency analytical testing were acceptable. Conclusions: The formaldehyde samples made by injection on 2,4-DNPH-coated silicagel tubes were stable and applicable for quality control.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.632-637
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• 2014

Proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons is used to determine the performance of individual laboratories. In order to verify the quality of acute toxicity testing with Daphnia magna, National Institute of Environmental Research in South Korea is regularly organizing interlaboratory comparisons to estimate the analytical accuracy of different laboratories. Total 58 laboratories located in South Korea took part in interlaboratory proficiency testing scheme with three proficiency testing samples. TU(Toxic Unit) values of each laboratory were determined and robust z-score was calculated in order to evaluate the proficiency levels. Based on the robust z-score classification, 74% of the participant laboratories showed a satisfactory performance (43 laboratories). The main reason of 'unsatisfactory' performance seemed to be considered that the unsuitable management of test organism incubation system and the lack of experience on the identification of the test organism condition by effect of toxicity.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.586-591
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• 2003

This paper describes the result of proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparisons for braking lining. Proficiency testing provides an objective means of assessing and demonstrating the validity and reliability of test results produced by laboratories. To more accuracy comparison test for braking lining test, they will be made the same test procedure and environment conditions.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2000

This paper summerizes the results of the first proficiency testing program for achieving the analytical quality assurance of anions and metal ions in air borne particles in Korea. This program covered the chemical testing of anions(Cl-, NO3-, SO42-) and metals(Fe, Pb, Zn) in qeueous solution. The exercies was conducted by the Measurement & Analysis Committee of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment(KOSAE). Pilot lab. was Division of Chemical Metrology and Materais Evaluation in Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science(KRISS). A total of 11 laboratories participated in the program. Two samples of 100mL in low density polyehylene bottles were supplied to participating laboratories. The proficiency testing results were interpreted by two graphical methods, Youden polt and x-Charts(control chart).

• Proceedings of the Safety Management and Science Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.389-400
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• 2005

This paper introduces measurement Quality Management System(QMS) (KSA ISO 10012:2004), and general requirements for the competence of testing, inspection and calibration laboratories(KSA 17025:2000 and KSA 17020:2000) and proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisions(KS A ISO/IEC Guide 43-1, 2:2002).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.1149-1154
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• 2010

Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry using isotope dilution method has been established as a primary method for the measurement of cortisol in human serum. Verification of this method was accomplished by the participation in Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance-Metrology in Chemistry (CCQM) pilot study. Two levels of cortisol certified reference materials were prepared and certified by the established method. They were used as sample materials for the proficiency testing. The expanded uncertainty in the measurement of cortisol in human serum was approximately 1.2% at 95% confidence level. The results of the proficiency testing showed a good precision among the participants, but some bias to the certified values. This means that commercial field laboratories should keep traceability chain to SI unit through available reference measurement procedures and/or available reference materials.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2010

In this study, river water-based reference materials (RMs), NIER-I08RW and NIER-I09, for trace metal analysis were prepared and certified for Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu with evaluation of uncertainties. The RMs were confirmed to be homogeneous enough to be used as proficiency testing materials since within-bottle homogenieties of the RMs were lower than 0.3 times of targeted standard deviation of proficiency testing. The RMs were distributed to environmental testing laboratories for the proficiency testing and the variation of Z scores of the proficiency testing results were compared for different assigned values. The relative bias, $B_{relative}$, deviations between reference values and consensus values, were lower than ${\pm}$1 except for cadmium of NIERI08RW. The results showed both values were in a good agreement and only 2.9% of Z scores changed by using a different assigned values such as consensus and reference values.