Originally Posted by
Fursty Ferret
Even the very best people make simple mistakes when dealing with parts per million (because it adds an extra step to a calculation)
Really? How does 'per million' (divide by 1e6) "add an extra step to a calculation", where 'per cent' (divide by 1e2) does not?
Indeed, in such a high dilution ratio as this (1: 0.0001, or 0.001% or 100PPM), it is arguable that PPM is the clearest way to express it, as it uses only whole numbers. Also, being a multiple of 1e3 (1,000), it works very well with standard x1,000 multiples {eg. (k)g, (m)l etc.}, where % is x100, which prevents such easy multiples and the relatively simple use of k(ilo) m(illi) prefixes.
Both PPM and % are valid ways for engineers / scientists to express dilution ratios. Neither should be more or less likely to be prone to error, and certainly not by "add[ing] an extra step to a calculation", as you claim. Competent engineers should be expected to be able to work accurately with either.