Comparison of the Concentrations of Heavy Metals in PM2.5 Analyzed in Three Different Global Research Institutions Using X-ray Fluorescence

This inter-lab study aimed to evaluate the comparability of heavy metal concentrations in same samples using three X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (XRFs) different global re-search institutions, namely a collaboration lab between Soonchunhyang University (Asan, Korea). and PAN (a branch Malvern PANalytical, Seoul, Korea), RTI (Research Triangle Institute, NC, U.S.A), Aerosol laboratory Harvard University, Boston, U.S.A. Indoor air filter were collected from 8 homes 3 filters each household (n = 24) individuals with asthma, sequentially analyzed separately Soonchunhyang-PAN, RTI. Results showed detection rates most metals 25 metals) across institutions be approximately 90%. Of metals, 16 coefficient determination (R²) 0.7 or higher (10 components had 0.9 higher) implying high correlation among institutions. Therefore, this demonstrated XRF as useful device, ensuring reproducibility compatibility measurement PM2.5, indoor asthmatics’ residents.