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Reference.org
Chemical purity
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Chemistry/SrNqkGVm">chemistry</a>, chemical purity is the measurement of the amount of <a href="/facts/Impurities/FfPvIRoB">impurities</a> found in a <a href="/facts/Sample_(material)/lh2pPYky">sample</a>. Several grades of purity are used by the scientific, pharmaceutical, and industrial communities. Some of the commonly used grades of purity include: </p> <ul><li>ACS grade is the highest level of purity, and meets the standards set by the <a href="/facts/American_Chemical_Society/Alf3uhaF">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS). The official descriptions of the ACS levels of purity is documented in the <i><a href="/facts/Reagent_Chemicals/jPjaldHv">Reagent Chemicals</a></i> publication, issued by the ACS. It is suitable for food and laboratory uses.</li></ul> <ul><li>Reagent grade is almost as stringent as the ACS grade.</li> <li>USP grade meets the purity levels set by the <a href="/facts/United_States_Pharmacopeia/CyYDYG8m">United States Pharmacopeia</a> (USP). USP grade is equivalent to the ACS grade for many drugs.</li> <li>NF grade is a purity grade set by the <a href="/facts/British_National_Formulary/QJCFqaEg">National Formulary</a> (NF). NF grade is equivalent to the ACS grade for many drugs.</li> <li>British Pharmacopoeia: Meets or exceeds requirements set by the <a href="/facts/British_Pharmacopoeia/1qE4pIfM">British Pharmacopoeia</a> (BP). Can be used for food, drug, and medical purposes, and also for most laboratory purposes.</li> <li>Japanese Pharmacopeia: Meets or exceeds requirements set by the <a href="/facts/Japanese_Pharmacopoeia/f1VC3NV6">Japanese Pharmacopoeia</a> (JP). Can be used for food, drug, and medical purposes, and also for most laboratory purposes.</li> <li>Laboratory grade is suitable for use in educational settings, but is not acceptable for food or drug use.</li> <li>Purified grade is not precisely defined, and it is not suitable for drug or food usage.</li> <li>Technical grade is suitable for industrial applications, but is not acceptable for food or drug use.</li></ul>