Book excerpt: The book provides an up-to-date account of inductively coupled plasmas and their use in atomic emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Specific applications of the use of these techniques are highlighted including applications in environmental, food and industrial analysis. It is written in a distance learning / open learning style; suitable for self study applications. It contains contain self-assessment and discussion questions, worked examples and case studies that allow the reader to test their understanding of the presented material.