Meaning
Performance metrics define the lowest quantity of a substance that can be distinguished from its absence within a specified confidence level. Analytical detection limits dictate whether a laboratory can confirm the presence of migrant substances in a polymer sample.
Signal Measurement
Background noise in the equipment must be low enough to allow the target molecule to be seen. If the analytical detection limits are too high, harmful contaminants might go unnoticed during a safety audit. This threshold is determined by the statistical variance of the blank samples.
A reliable measurement requires the signal to be several times higher than the noise.
Equipment Sensitivity
Modern mass spectrometers offer lower thresholds than older photometric methods. A lower value for analytical detection limits allows for a more detailed understanding of the chemical profile of a resin.
Regulatory Compliance
Authorities set maximum allowable levels for certain additives that are often close to the capability of the hardware. When the analytical detection limits of a lab are poor, the manufacturer cannot prove that their product meets the required safety standards for food contact. This gap in capability can lead to the rejection of a batch or a loss of market access.
