Thermal-ionization isotope-dilution mass spectrometry as a definitive method for determination of potassium in serum

Thermal-ionization isotope-dilution mass spectrometry is a highly precise and accurate method for the determination of potassium concentrations in serum. Although not suited for routine use because of the time and expense required, the technique provides an extremely valuable tool for the characterization of reference materials and for evaluating other analytical methods. The technique has recently been used to determine the concentration of potassium in a human serum standard, NBS Standard Reference Material 909. Seven vials of the serum were chemically processed and then analyzed by two spectroscopists independently, using different mass spectrometers. The results confirm previous work that indicates that a precision of 0.1% relative can be routinely achieved. The systematic errors in the method have been thoroughly evaluated. When the precise results are thus corrected, they are essentially bias free and hence definitive.