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Table 1

Table 1: Analytical Methods for Glass Analysis
Parameter SEM-EDS EDXRF ICP-OES ICP-MS
Analytical sample destruction none to minimal none to minimal complete complete
partial (laser)
Detection limit
(µg/g in glass)		 thousands tens tenths hundredths
Multielement capability 5 to 10 8 to 12 10 to 15 20 to 60
Sample prep complexity moderate little to none difficult difficult
little to none (laser)
Sample prep time hours minutes days days
minutes (laser)
Typical sample size >20 µg >1 mg >500 µg >50 µg
Analysis time 20 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes
Interelement and interference effects moderate moderate moderate low
Linear dynamic range
(orders of magnitude)		 2-3 5 5-6 6-7
>7 (laser)
Precision fair fair excellent very good
good (laser)
Accuracy fair fair excellent very good
good (laser)
Operator skill level moderate low moderate high
Availablity of instrument automation some many yes yes
Instrument cost high moderate moderate high