As an important concept that impacts the scientific validity of measurement results of research studies and applied routine laboratory tests, metrological traceability can be relevant to the measurement aspects of certain processes having potential consequence to public health, safety and our general well being. Metrological traceability with scientific estimation of uncertainty is a key process in the quest to ensure uniformity of measurement test results over space and time at a given confidence level. With a sound scientific underpinning, metrological traceability can play a substantial role in achieving uniformity of measurement results in diverse chemical analysis and testing scenarios.
Metrological traceability is central to the scientific manifestations of many real-world chemical measurement scenarios, some of which are summarized here: (i) the acceptance level of any variations in the purity and stability of the same prescription or over-the-counter drug when measured in quality control laboratories at different pharmaceutical manufacturing sites around the world, (ii) the acceptance level of any variations in the nutritional aspects of a given food or the desired flavor characteristics of a given beverage when measured in different quality control laboratories, (iii) the acceptance level of any variations in the clinical concentration levels of cholesterol in blood when measured in different medical center or hospital laboratories, (iv) the acceptance level of any variations in the concentration levels of alcohol in blood or the concentration levels of certain metals in gunshot residue when measured in different crime laboratories, and (v) the acceptance level of any variations in the concentrations of potential pollutants in the air that we breathe or in the water that we drink when measured in different environmental health testing laboratories. Common to all of these examples is the following question that can always be asked: Would the same interpretation, conclusion or action point be scientifically derived from analytical test measurement results obtained by different laboratories or from the same laboratory over time?
