How to Interpret Lab Test Results explained by the Health Ranger

How to Interpret CWC Labs Test Results

One thousand parts per billion equals one part per million: 1000 ppb = 1 ppm

To derive ppm from the numbers in the report, just divide the ppb numbers by 1000 to get ppm. (It’s all metric, which is what makes it super easy to translate units.

Mass: This is the accurate atomic mass of the elemental isotope being analyzed. Some elements have more than one isotope and therefore have more than one mass that's analyzed.

Conc: This means "concentration" and is given in ppb.

Units: Confirms that the units being used are ppb.

RSD(%): Relative Standard Deviations. Describes the statistical certainty of the result for that element. Lower numbers means more data points and greater confidence. It is perfectly normal to see an element with a very low concentration have a very high RSD. This is because very few ions of the element were available to detect.

Det: (Analog/Pulse) Describes the detection mode of the ICP-MS detector. "Pulse" means digital and is used for very low concentrations. Analog is used for higher concentrations. This is not really important for you to consider, but it helps scientists understand the analysis better.

Symbol
Element
Mass
Conc
Units
RSD(%)
Det
Mg
Magnesium
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
Al
Aluminum
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
K
Potassium
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
V
Vanadium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Cr
Chromium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Mn
Manganese
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Fe
Iron
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
Ni
Nickel
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Cu
Copper
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
Zn
Zinc
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
As
Arsenic
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Se
Selenium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Sr
Strontium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Mo
Molybdenum
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Ag
Silver
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Cd
Cadmium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Cs
Cesium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Au
Gold
--
--
ppb
--
Analog
Hg
Mercury
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
Pb
Lead
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse
U
Uranium
--
--
ppb
--
Pulse