Conclusion

Despite the differences in the intercalibration experiments, the tests clearly showed that there is scope for inter-laboratory cooperation in data analysis and processing. In principle, there should be specialization in using the most appropriate analytical devices and software for a given sample type, or in using gas pedals more efficiently. This, of course, is not limited to aerosol analysis.

It should be noted that an uncertainty must be taken into account, due to the lack of standards for real aerosol samples. Unfortunately, it is not generally obvious that an analytical device or software package will give results that can be considered as certainly accurate; one can only have more or less justified confidence in the experience of certain laboratories. This is perhaps one of the reasons why published results of analysis or interlaboratory comparisons are so...