Laboratory of the National Institute of Environmental Health Achieves Strong Results in International Interlaboratory Comparison Organized by UK LGC

From June to July 2025, the Water Quality and Health Surveillance Laboratory of the National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), took part in the 687th round of an international interlaboratory comparison on water quality testing organized by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) in the United Kingdom. All forty-three reference indicators for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) received satisfactory ratings.

LGC, founded in 1842, serves as the United Kingdom’s statutory national metrology institute for chemistry and biochemistry and is one of the main providers of laboratory proficiency testing programs worldwide. This round of comparison formed part of a water and environmental laboratory proficiency testing scheme. More than thirty laboratories from over ten countries, including China, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and Italy, participated in the determination of perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluorosulfonic acids, perfluoroether carboxylic acids, perfluoroether sulfonic acids and perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides in water.

The National Institute of Environmental Health attaches great importance to laboratory management and continues to strengthen its laboratory quality management system, supporting the steady enhancement of laboratory capacity. Over many years, the institute has focused on improving the practical skills of its technical staff, carried out regular verification and calibration of equipment, and taken part in or organized domestic interlaboratory comparisons. It has long been a laboratory accredited under the China Metrology Accreditation (CMA) system administered by the national quality and technical supervision authorities.

Building on the excellent performance of the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory in the seventy-second round of the German External Quality Assessment Scheme (G-EQUAS) in 2023, the Water Quality and Health Surveillance Laboratory has again achieved strong results this year. These achievements reflect the institute’s sustained efforts in laboratory quality management and capacity development, highlight its professionalism and authority in the field of environmental health, and provide a solid foundation for advancing related work.