What is the impact of cross-contamination in samples?

The impact of cross-contamination in samples is significant because it can compromise the integrity of the samples being analyzed. Cross-contamination occurs when unwanted substances or organisms are introduced into a sample. This can result in contaminated samples that do not accurately reflect the original material. Consequently, this leads to results that can misrepresent the actual state of the sample, making it unrepresentative of the population or environment being studied.

When samples are not representative, any conclusions drawn from the test results may be flawed, which can lead to incorrect decisions or actions based on the data. This highlights why maintaining strict standards for sample handling and processing is crucial in any analytical setting to ensure that results are valid and reliable.