Analytical Detection and Quantification Limits: Survey of State and Federal Approaches The purpose of this review was to determine the analytical detection and quantification limit policies of various state agencies. Of particular interest were policies for setting wastewater discharge perm it limits at or below detection or quantification limits, for determining compliance with such limits, and for using alternative a pproaches to determining detection or quantification limits. Although the main focus of this review was on state policies involving water quality issues, included in the review were the policies of programs in other envir onmental areas as well as in federal regulations and statutes