A review of interference effects and their correction in chemical analysis with special reference to uncertainty

This paper reviews matrix effects and interference in chemical analysis and the methods by which analytical chemists reduce their effects to either negligible or minimal magnitude. The aim is to provide a framework for estimating the contribution to uncertainty due to these effects in analysis, with or without the application of procedures for correcting them. The general characteristics of matrix effects and interference are discussed, and general principles for the estimation of uncertainty associated with rnatrix effects are introduced. The principal techniques available to minimise matrix effects are described, together with methods of uncertainty estimation where appropriate.