A PC-based computer program for quality assessment of INAA results of emission and air particulate samples

A PC-based computer program for quality assessment (QAS) of results obtained by neutron activation analysis (NAA) is described. Program QAS is designed for the quality assurance system based on a routine use of certified reference materials (CRMs) with similar matrix composition as the samples analyzed together with each sample batch. The results obtained for CRMs samples are then compared with certified (true) values and with the results obtained for particular CRM in previous analysis runs. Five various tests are applied to check the quality of NAA results (for CRM and, consequently, for real samples) obtained for a particular analysis run. Control charts for elemental concentrations found in CRM and ranges of results for duplicate aliquots of CRM are displayed to visualize possible discrepancies. The program accepts files transported from gamma-ray spectrometric system ND 683 (based on a PDP 11 computer), extracts and stores reference material results, and prepares a work spreadsheet for each set of results to avoid typist and other kinds of errors.