Hwaseong-si Achieves 'Best' for Two Consecutive Years in International Evaluation of Soil Heavy Metal Analysis Capability

All 8 Component Analyses Rated 'Satisfactory' in US ERA International Proficiency Test

Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province has been recognized for its world-class soil heavy metal analysis capabilities for two consecutive years.

On the 18th, Hwaseong City announced that it received the 'Laboratory of Excellence' award for two consecutive years in the international proficiency test for soil heavy metals conducted by the Environmental Resource Associates (ERA) in the United States.

A researcher at Hwaseong Agricultural Technology Center is analyzing heavy metals contained in the soil.
[Photo by Hwaseong City]

ERA's international proficiency test evaluates the analytical capabilities of laboratories worldwide in fields such as residual pesticides, heavy metals, and food additives. It is highly recognized internationally, with government agencies, research institutes, and private analytical institutions from various countries participating in the evaluation. South Korea also participates in this evaluation through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, and the Agricultural Science Institute.

A total of 372 analytical institutions worldwide participated in this evaluation, and Hwaseong City Agricultural Technology Center received satisfactory results in all eight soil heavy metal items, the city explained. The heavy metals analyzed were arsenic, chromium, lead, nickel, cadmium, copper, mercury, and zinc.

The center particularly achieved a z-score of '0' for two items, arsenic and cadmium, indicating excellence, while the other six items received scores below an absolute value of 2. A z-score closer to 0 means better analytical results, and receiving satisfactory grades in all items results in a 'Laboratory of Excellence' designation.

Shin Mi-young, director of Hwaseong City Agricultural Technology Center, said, "We will continue to strengthen our analytical capabilities to ensure reliability and strive to supply safe agricultural products."

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