Regulation - From an industry perspective or relationships between detection limits, quantitation limits, and significant digits

This article develops the concepts of detection and quantitation limits, as advanced by Currie. It interprets and extends the calibration-based Hubaux-Vos detection limit, DLH-V, in the context of trace-level measurements. Recommendations are made for statistically sound data reporting and decision-making under uncertainty. It is shown that relative measurement error derived from calibration error bands can be related to significant digits, DLH-V, and a quantitation limit that ensures at least one significant digit in a reported measurement. An example is given of a calibration/DL study for measuring PCB concentrations in water by GC.