Detection limit

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-007785",
  "term": "Detection limit",
  "field": "Environment",
  "term_source": "Detection Limit",
  "definitions": [
    "1. The lowest concentration of a chemical that can be distinguished reliably from a zero concentration.\n\n2. A measure of the capability of an analytical method to distinguish samples that do not contain a specific analyte from samples that contain low concentrations of the analyte. The lowest concentration or amount of the target analyte that can be determined to be different from zero by a single measurement at a stated level of probability. DLs are analyte- and matrix-specific and may be laboratory-dependent.\n\n3. The lowest concentration of a chemical that can reliably be distinguished from a zero concentration.\n\n4. The lowest concentration of a chemical that can reliably with analytical methods be distinguished from a zero concentration.\n\n5. The minimum concentration of an analyte that can be identified, measured and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero. This is a statistical determination of precision and accurate quantitation is not expected at this level. {OECA}\n\n6. The minimum concentration of an analyte that can be identified, measured and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero. This is a statistical determination of precision and accurate quantitation is not expected at this level.\n\n7. Lowest amount that can be distinguished from the normal random “noise” of an analytical instrument or method. For HRS purposes, the detection limit used is the method detection limit (MDL) or, for real-time field instruments, the detection limit of the instrument as used in the field.\n\n8. Minimum concentration of an analyte (substance) that can be measured and reported with a 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is distinguishable from the method blank results as determined by the procedure set forth at appendix B of this part.\n\n9. The lowest true concentration that will almost always be detected.\n\n10. The minimum detectable value is smallest amount or concentration of a particular substance in a sample that can be reliably detected by a specific measurement process.\n\n11. The minimum true concentration that will return a result above the critical value given a specific measurement process and confidence level.\n\n12. A measure of the capability of an analytical method of distinguished samples that do not contain a specific analyte from a sample that contains a low concentration of the analyte; the level of target analyte that can be determined to be different from zero by a single measurement at a stated level of probability DLs are analyte- and matrix-specific and may be laboratory dependent.\n\n13. The lowest quantity of a hazardous substance that can be distinguished from the normal random \"noise\" of an analytical instrument or method. For HRS purposes, DL is the method detection limit (MDL) or, for real - time field instruments, the instrument detection limit (IDL) as used in the field.\n\n14. The minimum concentration of an analyte in a sample, that with a high level of confidence is not zero.",
    "(radiochemistry) The Detection Limit (DL) for radionuclides in drinking water is defined in 40 CFR 141.25(c) as the radionuclide concentration that can be counted with a precision of plus or minus 100% at the 95% confidence level (1.96σ, where σ is the standard deviation of the net counting rate of the sample). {OW/TSC}"
  ],
  "abbreviation": "DL",
  "synonyms": [
    "LD"
  ],
  "subject": [
    "Measurements",
    "Policy and guidance"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Waste and Cleanup Risk Assessment Glossary",
    "Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans",
    "Terms of Environment; EPA 2005b, ATSDR 2004; Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "EPA 2004; Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) Glossary",
    "40 CFR Appendix A to Part 300 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 136.2 (CFR 2018)",
    "EPA 240/R-02/005",
    "Hazard Ranking System Glossary",
    "Glossary of Asbestos-related Terms and Acronyms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/detection-limit/"
}