Abstract
Principles and applications of inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based multielement analytical methods, ICP atomic emission spectrometry and ICP mass spectrometry, were summarized briefly. Fundamentals and characteristics of these methods were explained in comparison with those of the atomic absorption spectrometry. The methods for the pretreatment and for the quality assurance of the data were also reviewed briefly. Finally, some of the biomedical and environmental applications of these methods were introduced.