SelectScience
Join Free
ResourceMaterials

Surveying the shift: The transition from single quadrupole ICP-MS to ICP-QQQ

Agilent Technologies

Insights from 150+ scientists across pharma, biotech, environmental testing, and academia reveal how sensitivity demands and complex sample matrices are reshaping ICP‑MS adoption worldwide

7 Jul 2026
Cameron Smith-Craig
Cameron Smith-Craig
Pharma and Applied Sciences Editor

Across regions and industries, laboratories are facing the same underlying challenge: extracting reliable trace element data from increasingly complex samples.

From pharmaceutical labs navigating ultra‑low impurity thresholds in regulated markets, to environmental labs tackling variable natural matrices, the pressure is mounting, not just to detect, but to detect with confidence.

This infographic maps how these challenges are playing out globally, with insights from 150+ scientists revealing why labs are accelerating the transition to ICP‑QQQ.

Resource details:

  • Document type: SelectScience infographic
  • Page count: 1
  • Read time: 2 mins
  • Edition: 1st

Related products

Request Quote for All Products

9500 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS

Agilent Technologies

The Agilent 9500 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS delivers true ICP-MS/MS performance without the complexity. Its proprietary Dual-Cell System, with Advanced Helium Mode (AHM) and Air mode, enables fast, interference-free analysis across complex matrices, delivering results you can trust.

(0)

Frequently asked questions

What are the biggest challenges in trace element analysis today?

Laboratories worldwide are facing increasing challenges around complex sample matrices, interference, and the need for ultra‑low detection limits in trace element analysis.

Why are laboratories moving from ICP‑MS to ICP‑QQQ?

Across global markets, many labs are exploring ICP‑QQQ to improve sensitivity and reduce interference in complex analytical workflows.

How do trace analysis challenges differ between industries and regions?

Requirements vary by sector and region, for example, strict pharmaceutical regulations in North America and Europe, and diverse environmental matrices across global testing labs.

What industries rely most on ICP‑MS and ICP‑QQQ technologies?

ICP‑MS technologies are widely used in pharmaceutical, environmental, food, and advanced materials labs, all of which face increasing global pressure for accurate trace analysis.

How do complex sample matrices affect ICP‑MS performance?

Complex matrices, common in environmental, food, and pharmaceutical samples worldwide, can introduce interferences that impact accuracy and confidence in results.

What insights does this infographic provide on global lab trends?

This infographic highlights how trace element analysis challenges are evolving globally, based on insights from 150+ scientists across key industries.

Links

Agilent TechnologiesCompany website

Tags

Atomic Absorption / Emission SpectroscopyAtomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) — also called optical emission spectroscopy (OES) — are used to detect the elemental constituents in samples. Both techniques involve the atomization of a sample. Atomic absorption spectrometers may use a flame or furnace to create an atomic vapor of the sample before irradiation with spectral light. Optical emission spectrometers may use a flame, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), microwave plasma (MP) or spark arcs to atomize and excite the sample. At higher excitation energies, electrons can be emitted instead of photons, which can be useful for samples that can’t be atomized and for surface analysis. Explore electron spectroscopy equipment such as Auger spectrometers and photoelectron spectrometers for surface elemental analysis of samples. Find the best atomic absorption, photoelectron and optical emission spectrometers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ICP-MSInductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to determine the concentrations of elements and their isotopes in a variety of samples, including water, soil, and biological tissues. It involves ionizing elements in the samples with extremely high-temperature Argon (Ar) plasma and then using a mass spectrometer to measure the number of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). Explore ICP-MS systems in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Elemental AnalysisElemental analysis involves determining the elemental composition of a sample, often used in environmental, pharmaceutical, and material sciences. Techniques like ICP-MS, X-ray fluorescence, and atomic absorption spectroscopy allow precise quantification of elements such as metals and nonmetals in complex matrices. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best elemental analysis tools, compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

Related resources