Once Again About Determination and Detection Limits

The papers takes stock of different methods for evaluating the detection (c(min)) and determination (c(lim)) limits of components described in the literature and presents a comparative analysis of the results of such evaluations. It is shown that use of the data on the fluctuations of the blank experiment, in spite of their wide application for such evaluations, gives ambiguous estimates for cmin and clim. The most correct method for evaluating the specified parameters is the experimental determination of the actual analyte concentration (content) from the empirical concentration dependence of the relative standard deviation. In case when this estimation method cannot be used, it is recommended to evaluate clim by the lower boundary of the calibration graph. The article may be useful for inexperienced analysts experimenters in choosing a method for evaluating the results obtained.