The performance of several commercially available field test kits for arsenic was
evaluated and compared to standard graphite furnace atomic absorption
spectrophotometry (GFAA). Performance was determined by precision, accuracy,
linearity, operator bias, matrix effects and "ease of use". Precision and accuracy were
determined for arsenic III, arsenic V, and a combination of species. Precision was
relatively good for all test kits as determined by standard deviation. Accuracy however,
calculated through percent recoveries, varied greatly among test kits. Three test kits
produced percent recoveries of greater than 75%. However, the other four test kits
produced poor percent recoveries as defined by the authors (50 to 66%). Matrix effects
were evaluated using additions of known interferences of sulfide and antimony in reagent
water. Field samples were also tested at various concentrations to determine performance
throughout the working range of the field test kits, defined as linearity. All field kits
were relatively free from operator bias. Four test kits were determined to be relatively
easy to use, or have a high "ease of use" score. Two of the field test kits met all the
following criteria; easy to use, no operator bias, inexpensive, accurate and precise. Includes 12 references, tables, figures.