Adding ICP-MS Capability to a Laboratory
Adding ICP-MS requires the instrument itself plus sample digestion, high-purity reagents and water, argon supply, exhaust and cooling, and a space where trace-metal contamination can be controlled. Decide the matrices and detection limits first — they determine collision/reaction cell needs and sample introduction options.
Typical equipment
- ICP-MS with collision/reaction cell as required by matrices
- Autosampler and sample introduction kits for your matrices
- Microwave or block digestion
- Ultrapure water system and trace-metal-grade reagents
- Argon supply (dewar or bulk), chiller and dedicated exhaust
Facility considerations
Plan for stable power, exhaust, cooling and gas storage. Trace work benefits from clean-air workstations and separation from high-concentration digestions.
Questions to answer before buying equipment
- Which methods or standards must the laboratory run, and at what edition?
- What sample types, sizes and annual volumes are expected?
- Are accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) results required for customers or regulators?
- What utilities, floor loading, ventilation and environmental control does the space provide today?
- Who will calibrate, service and qualify the equipment, and how quickly can they respond?
- Would outsourcing some work until volumes justify the investment be more economical?
Common questions
- ICP-OES or ICP-MS?
- ICP-OES suits higher concentrations and robust matrices at lower cost; ICP-MS is chosen when detection limits or isotopic information require it.