Applications of atomic spectrometry to regulatory compliance monitoring

Continuing research and development in the broad field of environmental ana lytical chemistry is responsible for several major changes in the applicati ons of atomic spectrometry to regulatory compliance monitoring, The adoptio n of ICP-AES techniques has permitted simultaneous, multi-element determina tions, and the developments with ICP-MS has made possible simultaneous, mul ti-element determinations at the sub-ppb level. Microwave-assisted sample p reparation and flow injection analysis have become important adjuncts to at omic spectrometry. Recent changes in the laws allows the methodologies for regulatory compliance monitoring to be viable and dynamic. Adoptions of adv ances in methodologies have made possible utilization of the best available technology for collecting data to assess environmental quality. Some of th ese advances are described in this review.