EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRllSON EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Managing Editor: Barbara Cassatt Associate Editor: Stuart A. Borman Assistant Editors: Marcia S. Vogel, Rani A. George Editorial Assistant: Louise Voress Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director: Alan Kahan Designer: Sharon Harris Wolfgang Production Editor: Gail M. Mortenson Circulation Manager: Cynthia G. Smith Journals Dept., Columbus, Ohio Associate Head: Marianne Brogan Associate Editor: Rodney L. T'emos Advisory Board: Joel A. Carter, Richard S. Danchik, Richard Durst, Dennis M. Evans, Jack W. Frazer. Helen M. Free, Shizuo Fujiwara, Roland F. Hirsch, Csaba Horvath, Wilbur I. Kaye, Thomas C. O'Haver, Janet Osteryoung, Herbert L. Retcofsky, Robert E. Sievers, Wilhelm Simon, Rudolph H. Stehl Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Edward M. Chait, M. Bonner Denton, Raymond E. Dessy, Larry R. Faulkner, Martin S.Frant, Michael L. Gross, Fred E. Lytle, Curt Fleimann, Andrew T. Zander Contributing Editor, AI C Interface: Raymond E. Dessy The Analytlcal Approach Adrisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Robert A. iiofstader, Wilbur 0. Shults Regulatory Affairs, Analytical Division Committee: Curt W. Reimann (Chairman) Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. :20036 Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Production: Elmer Pusey, Jr. Marketing 8, Sales: Claud K. Robinson
'chemistry Caveat Emptor! A recent market survey by Centcom, Ltd., the advertising management for ANALYTICALCHEMISTRY, predicts that in 1983 the world market for analytical instruments will have grown to $2.3 billion. Those of us involved with analytical measurements have come to be totally dependent on the power of these sophisticated instruments, which have benefited all areas of science and technology. Over the years instrument manufacturers have been quick to recognize new and emerging instrumental needs and have drastically changed the way in which we practice our profession. Unfortunately, the drive for increased sales and the rapid changes in instrument manufacturers have led to a serious problem for owners of older instruments, namely, obtaining service and spare parts for these complex and expensive instruments. The problem is particularly acute in those fields that depend on highly sophisticated instruments. In mass spectrometry, for example, an instrument requires an investment in the $100- to $700-thousand range. The field has grown explosively in the past few years to the point where 1983 sales are projected to reach $160 million. All mass spectrometer configurations find major markets in environmental control analysis and quality control applications. Biomedical research applications are also a market of potential growth both for research and for major, centralized clinical laboratories. One of the most serious criticisms of mass spectrometers over the years has been difficulty of maintenance. Manufacturers' reputations for service have spanned the spectrum from marginal to dismal. Early obsolescence has also been a problem for many analytical instruments and certainly for computers. The field seems to be notorious for companies of stature that have dropped out. However, the potential for mass spectrometer sales continues to attract new manufacturers, and a t least some of them increasingly recognize that their market share is substantially dependent on the long-term reliability of their products and word-of-mouth compliments and complaints of their customers about reliability and service support. The time has come for mass spectroscopists to take a more active role in their destinies. Professional societies such as the American Society for Mass Spectrometry and the Analytical Division of the ACS, for example, should set up workshops to explore ways of improving the service and spare parts problem together with the manufacturers. At the very least, perhaps industry could be persuaded to donate to nonprofit institutions out-of-date instruments that could be very valuable for spare parts and replacements.
Research and Development: Seidon W. Terrant Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1983 issue, page 171. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for thle statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 55, NO. 12, OCTOBER 1983
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