A Bayesian geoadditive relative survival analysis of registry data on breast cancer mortality

In this paper we develop a so called relative survival analysis, that is used to model the excess risk of a certain subpopulation relative to the natural mortality risk, i.e. the base risk that is present in the whole population. Such models are typically used in the area of clinical studies, that aim at identifying prognostic factors for disease specific mortality with data on specific causes of death being not available. Our work has been motivated by continuous-time spatially referenced survival data on breast cancer where causes of death are not known. This paper forms an extension of the analyses presented in Sauleau et al. (2007), where those data are analysed via a geoadditive, semiparametric approach, however without allowance to incorporate natural mortality. The usefulness of this relative survival approach is supported by means of a simulated data set

The Certification of the Mass Fractions of Arsenic, Cadmium, Nickel and Lead in Fine Dust (PM10-like matrix) - Certified Reference Material ERM®-CZ120

This report describes the preparation and certification of the new Reference Material (CRM) ERM-CZ120, which is a PM10-like fine dust, certified for the elements arsenic, cadmium, nickel and lead. Certification of the CRM included testing of the homogeneity and stability of the material as well as the characterisation using an intercomparison approach. The main purpose of the material is to assess method performance, i.e. for checking accuracy of analytical results in the field of air quality control/measurement. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

Certification of the mass fractions of As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and Zn in rye grass - Certified Reference Material ERM®-CD281

This report describes the preparation and certification of the rye grass Certified Reference Material (CRM) ERM-CD281. This CRM replaces the exhausted predecessor BCR-281. ERM-CD281 was processed and certified by the European Commission, Directorate General Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium. Certification of the CRM included testing of the homogeneity and stability of the material as well as the characterisation using an intercomparison approach. ERM-CD281 has been certified for its content of As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and Zn. The main purpose of the material is to assess method performance, i.e. for checking accuracy of analytical results. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

Development of Particulate Matter Certified Reference Materials (PM10 CRMs) - Final Report

The present report summarises the work carried out within the feasibility study devoted to the development of particulate matter certified reference materials (PM10 CRMs) at the RM Unit of IRMM. At present there is no suitable PM10 CRM certified for elements and/or PAHs. Therefore, this project was aimed at developing a CRM, which will play an active tool in the implementation of the Air Quality Framework Directive and its 1st and 4th Daughter Directives. In order to establish the target characteristics for the future PM10 CRMs, a meeting with experts in the field of air quality was organised. This report includes decisions made during that meeting.JRC.D.2-Reference material

Determination of Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins by Carbon Skeleton Gas Chromatography

Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCPs) are highly complex technical mixtures of polychlorinated n-alkanes with a chlorination degree between 50 and 70 % by mass, and a linear carbon chain length from C10 to C13, constituted by thousands of homologues, diastereomers and enantiomers. They have been used in many different applications, such as extreme pressure additives in lubricants and cutting fluids, plasticizers in PVC, and flame retardants in paints, adhesives and sealants. SCCPs are toxic towards aquatic organisms, bioaccumulative and persistent, and therefore the concern about this class of pollutants has increased in the last few years. In 2000 the European Union has included SCCPs in the list of priority substances in the field of water policy, amending the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC. The implementation of the directive requires that laboratories should be able to measure such substances reliably at the level of the environmental quality standard (EQS). Unfortunately, this is not the case for SCCPs. The analytical tools currently available for the analysis of this class of compounds are scarce and no methodology has been fully validated. This is due to the complexity of their mixtures, and the lack of pure solutions for calibrations as well as matrix-matched reference materials. No routine method for monitoring purposes exists and a poor comparability of results was demonstrated. At present determination of SCCPs is mostly performed by mass spectrometry (MS) in the Electron Capture Negative Ionisation (ECNI) mode. The quantification relies on the monitoring of [M-Cl]- ions of specific mass to charge (m/z) ratio for each SCCP group according to the method developed by Tomy et al. This approach is prone to interferences from other chlorinated compounds and from medium chain chlorinated paraffins, therefore a thorough clean-up of the sample and a careful selection of the ions to be detected are necessary. The method is also affected by a strong dependence on the degree of chlorination of the standard used for calibration. Errors of up to 1100 % have been reported when the calibrant does not match the chlorination degree of the sample. An alternative approach for SCCPs determination is the carbon skeleton gas chromatography (GC)-MS in which chlorinated paraffins are catalytic hydrodechlorinated to the corresponding n-alkanes (see Figure 1). Information on the chlorination degree is lost, but accurate quantification is possible. In this paper the two approaches are compared, and some preliminary results in the determination of SCCPs in water samples with the carbon skeleton method are presented.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

Certification of Mass Fractions of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 74, 99, 101, 105, 110, 118, 138, 149, 153, 156, 177, 180, 183, 187, 194 and 196) in Fish Oil - Certified Reference Material ERM®-BB350

This report describes the preparation of a salmon oil matrix certified reference material (ERM-BB350) and the certification of the content (mass fraction) of a selection of polychlorinated biphenyls (Nos. 28, 52, 74, 99, 101, 105, 110, 118, 138, 149, 153, 156, 177, 180, 183, 187, 194 and 196). Certification of the CRM included testing of the homogeneity and stability of the material as well as the characterisation using an inter-comparison approach. The main purpose of the material is to assess method performance, i.e. for checking accuracy of analytical results. As any reference material, the CRM can also be used for control charts or validation studies. Uncertainties were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [1] and include uncertainties due to possible heterogeneity, instability and characterisation. The certified values for the mass fractions of PCBs are traceable to the SIJRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

CERTIFICATION REPORT: The certification of the mass fractions of cadmium copper, manganese and nickel in dark chocolate: ERM BD512

This report describes the production of ERM-BD512, which is a matrix material certified for the mass fraction of cadmium, copper, manganese and nickel. This material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 and is certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The CRM was produced from commercially available dark chocolate produced in Peru. About 15 kg of chocolate bars were melted, the melt was homogenised and cast into moulds to produce pellets of about 0.5 g. Between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [ ]. Within-unit homogeneity was quantified to determine the minimum sample intake. The certified mass fraction of Cd was obtained by measurement, using the technique of isotope dilution ICP MS. The mass fractions of Cu, Mn and Ni were obtained by an interlaboratory comparison of laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. Technically invalid results were removed but no outliers were eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for quality control and assessment of method performance. As with any reference material, it can be used for establishing control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in packages of 6 glass vials, each containing a single pellet of about 0.5 g, which were sealed under an atmosphere of argon. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 250 mg. The CRM was accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

The Certification of the Mass Fractions of Selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fine Dust (PM10-like Matrix) - Certified Reference Material ERM®-CZ100

This report describes the preparation and certification of the new Reference Material (CRM) ERM-CZ100 PAHs in fine dust (PM10-like). Certification of the CRM included testing of the homogeneity and stability of the material as well as the characterisation using an intercomparison approach. ERM-CZ100 was certified for its content of benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and sum of benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene and benzo[j]fluoranthene. The main purpose of the material is to assess method performance, i.e. for checking accuracy of analytical results in the field of air quality assurance. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

CERTIFICATION REPORT The certification of 202Hg enriched methyl mercury amount content and isotopic composition Hg as methyl mercury in ethanol/water solution: ERM®-AE671

This report describes the production of ERM®-AE671, a 2 % ethanol/water material certified for the amount content of isotopically enriched methyl mercury (CH3(202Hg)) and certified for the isotopic composition of Hg present as methyl mercury (CH3Hg+). The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 [[i]]. Twenty two ampoules of ERM-AE670 containing isotopically enriched methyl mercury chloride (CH3(202Hg)Cl) in 2 % ethanol/water solution were used as starting material. Each ampoule contained approximately 5 g of solution. The content of ERM-AE670 ampoules was gravimetrically diluted with 2 % ethanol/water solution to create enough material for 220 new units. The diluted CH3(202Hg)Cl solution was filled into quartz ampoules which were flame sealed. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [[ii]]. The certified value was obtained from the gravimetric preparations, taking into account the amount of content and isotopic composition of the base material. The certified values were confirmed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry as independent verification method measurements within the scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 [[iii]]. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [[iv]] and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The main purpose of the material is to be used as spike isotopic reference material for determination of CH3Hg content in an unknown samples by species-specific isotope dilution through a measurement of the mercury isotope amount ratio R(B) = n(200Hg)/n(202Hg) of CH3Hg, in a blend. The CRM is available in quartz glass ampoules containing 5 g of liquid species solution flame sealed under nitrogen atmosphere. The CRM was accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.JRC.F.6-Reference Material