Validation of the determination of tin by k0-instrumental neutron activation analysis in foodstuff

Several recent intercomparisons and certification exercises have shown that the determination of tin in e.g. food samples and plastics is not straightforward. k0-Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k0-INAA) offers some intrinsic quality control opportunities for the determination of the tin content in samples since several monitoring radioisotopes are formed. In this work we will discuss the validation of the determination of tin by k0-INAA using different reference materials. The results show that only few of these radioisotopes are reliable in terms of accuracy and that from a survey of the tin content in a range of canned foods detection limits as low as 2 mg/kg can be achieved.