ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - The State Laboratory

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ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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CONTENTS

Contents

INTRODUCTION BY THE STATE CHEMIST 5

OVERVIEW 6

PROGRESS IN RELATION TO GOALS

Sub-Goal 1 - Agriculture and Food 8

Sub-Goal 2 - Customs and Excise 13

Sub-Goal 3 - Coroners’ Service & Public Health / Environmental Protection 16

ADMINISTRATION 20

GOVERNANCE 21

APPENDICES

I Statement by the Accounting Officer on Internal Financial Control 22

II Meetings and Conferences attended by State Laboratory Staff 23

III Conference and Seminar Presentation by State Laboratory Staff 24

IV List of INAB Accredited Tests 25

V Organisation Chart 27

VI Staff List by Grade (as at 31st December 2012) 28

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I am honoured to present my first report on the delivery of the State

Laboratory’s commitments as set out under the Strategy Statement

2012 – 2014.

In introducing the Annual Report for 2012, I would first of all like to

acknowledge the work of my predecessor, Dermot Hayes, who retired

in 2012 after 37 years of service in the Laboratory.

Dermot, a microbiologist, was originally recruited to develop

suitable methods of analysis to test for antibiotics in animal feedingstuffs.

He went on to expand the microbiology work of the laboratory very

significantly to provide a plant pathogen testing service to the

Department of Agriculture. Dermot’s career spanned a period of very

significant change for the State Laboratory from the days when it was

based in outdated accommodation in Merrion Street, now Government

buildings. The laboratory moved to new premises at Abbotstown in the

mid-1980s and then in 2005 to the current state-of-the-art laboratory

facilities in Backweston, Celbridge.

During this time, there has been a paradigm shift in the analysis

techniques used from classical wet chemical procedures to highly

automated, instrumental methods of analysis. Dermot embraced change

and took advantage of technological advances and so ensured that the

Laboratory is in a strong position to meet the challenges and

opportunities that lie ahead. He also ensured that the role of the

Laboratory as a source of expert scientific advice for Government

Departments and Offices was maintained and developed.

I am pleased to report that the Laboratory continued to deliver on

its commitments to its clients during 2012 and successfully implemented

ongoing public sector reform initiatives.

The following are some of the highlights of the State Laboratory’s

outputs in 2012:

overall sample numbers and analysis targets were exceeded;

100% of samples were analysed and results reported within

agreed timeframes;

20 new test methods covering 108 analytes were developed;

the number of days lost to sick leave was down 42% on 2011

figures; and

analyses previously outsourced by D/Agriculture, Food & the

Marine were taken on, resulting in savings for the State.

In addition, as part of the Government’s State Agency

Rationalisation Programme, a critical review was undertaken of the

proposal to merge the Forensic Science Laboratory into the State

Laboratory. The outcome of this review was a Government decision in

October 2012 to bring the Forensic Science Laboratory under the ambit

of the State Laboratory. This decision will pose many challenges and

opportunities for the staff of both laboratories in the coming years.

I wish to thank the staff of the State Laboratory for their ongoing

commitment, innovation and dedication to achieving quality results and

delivering professional services to a variety of clients against the

backdrop of considerable resource constraints. Their flexibility and

willingness to embrace change has enabled the laboratory to continue to

do more with less and thus improve the efficiency of the service

provided.

_________________

Ita Kinahan,

State Chemist

INTRODUCTION

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OVERVIEW

The State Laboratory is a scheduled office under the aegis of the

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and its high level

objective is to provide a comprehensive analytical and advisory service

to Government Departments and Offices, which supports their policies,

regulatory programmes and strategic objectives.

The State Chemist has enforcement and referee status under

various acts of the Oireachtas and their implementing regulations and

Laboratory staff represent Ireland as national experts in analytical

chemistry at European Union (EU) and other international meetings.

The State Laboratory undertakes analyses for a number of different

clients in the areas of agriculture and food, revenue collection,

environmental and public health protection and provides a toxicology

service to assist Coroners. Chemical analysis is used to monitor the

quality and safety of Irish food and for litigation purposes in prosecuting

fraud e.g. illegal use or laundering of marked diesel, sale of counterfeit

spirits or possession of illegal medicines. In the Customs area, analysis

can show whether companies are entitled to receive export refunds

claimed and whether additional duties and fines may be payable.

Analyses for the presence of alcohol and drugs assist the Coroners to

determine the cause of deaths, e.g. in cases of alcohol / drug overdoses.

Analytical chemistry is a continually evolving area and staff of the

Laboratory keep abreast of technological changes and take advantage of

the opportunities offered by new technology to improve the quality and

efficiency of the service provided to our clients. New instrumentation

and extraction techniques enable lower levels of undesirable substances,

such as environmental contaminants or drugs, to be detected.

EU and Irish legislation is regularly updated to reflect technological

developments and the Laboratory must continually update and improve

its methods of analysis. Developing new multi-analyte analytical

methods, automating laboratory processes and harnessing the power of

IT to reduce transcription of data have been among the key strategies

successfully employed by the Laboratory in recent years to maintain and

improve services at a time of reducing budgets and decreased staffing

levels. In 2012, 20 new methods of analysis covering 108 analytes were

developed using a variety of analytical techniques.

In addition to providing an analytical service, staff from the

Laboratory also provide expert advice to clients and represent Ireland

on various European Union scientific committees and working groups on

behalf of client Departments and Offices. Laboratory staff actively

participate in international standardization bodies such as Codex

Alimentarius, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) and

the Consultative Committee on the Amount of Substance (CCQM).

MAIN AREAS OF ACTIVITY

The State Laboratory’s main clients include the Department of

Agriculture, Food and the Marine (D/AFM); the Office of the Revenue

Commissioners; the Coroners; the Department of the Environment,

Community & Local Government (D/ECLG); and the Irish Medicines

Board (IMB).

The main areas of activity supported by the work of the Laboratory

are:

Agriculture and food with an emphasis on food safety and

quality;

Compliance with customs and excise legislation;

Forensic toxicology;

Environment and heritage protection; and

Controlling the use of unlicensed medicines.

In 2012, a total of 13,293 samples were analysed and a total of

257,515 analytes were tested for.

Agriculture and Food

As Ireland is a major food exporter, monitoring and controlling aspects

of food and animal feed safety is a high priority. The State Laboratory

assists D/AFM in ensuring the quality and safety of Irish food and food

products by monitoring compliance with European and national

legislation governing the production, distribution and sale of animal

feedstuffs and by testing a wide range of foods for veterinary residues

and other contaminants.

OVERVIEW

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OVERVIEW

Customs and Excise

The State Laboratory advises the Office of the Revenue Commissioners

on the classification of goods and on the application of appropriate

excise duties on hydrocarbon oil products and alcoholic beverages and

provides an analytical and advisory service in relation to mineral oils,

alcoholic beverages and non-potable alcohol-containing products.

Coroners’ Service and Public Health /

Environmental Protection

The State Laboratory provides a forensic toxicology service to assist

Coroners to investigate the causes of sudden death and to an Garda

Síochána to assist with criminal investigations.

The State Laboratory assists D/ECLG to monitor the quality of auto

-fuels, the IMB to control the use of unlicensed medicines and the Office

of Public Works and other bodies responsible for heritage conservation.

Accreditation

National and international acceptance of results of analysis requires

laboratories to have third party peer accreditation of its methods of

analysis, particularly in the areas of official control of food and animal

feed and where analytical results are used in court proceedings. The

State Laboratory operates in accordance with a documented quality

system and is currently accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the Irish

National Accreditation Board (INAB Reg. No. 146T) for 49 test

methods covering 339 analytes.

National Reference Laboratory Responsibilities

The State Laboratory is a National Reference Laboratory in the

following areas:

residues of veterinary medicinal products (steroids,

corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs),

nitroimidazoles and sedatives) in food of animal origin;

additives for use in animal nutrition;

dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and animal

feed;

mycotoxins in animal feed and food of animal origin; and

heavy metals in animal feed.

State Laboratory staff collaborate with the relevant European Union

Reference Laboratories (EURLs) on analytical test methods, oversee the

performance of screening methods in official laboratories in their areas

of competence, and where necessary provide technical assistance and

technical advice to the official laboratories and the Competent

Authority.

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SUB-GOAL 1: Agriculture and Food

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Sub-Goal 1: Agriculture and Food

Assist the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to implement multi-annual control plans as required under EU and

national legislation to ensure the quality and safety of Irish food, to protect consumers and to control the spread of plant diseases.

Animal Feedingstuffs

Animal feed is one of the most important components of the production

chain of food of animal origin. In economic terms, animal feed accounts

for up to 70% of the total costs of animal production and has an impact

on animal health and productivity as well as on food safety and quality.

The aim of animal feed controls is to ensure that feedingstuffs are of

good quality and do not constitute a hazard to human or animal health.

The controls are implemented through risk based inspections and

sampling of feedingstuffs at all stages of the feed chain.

The State Laboratory is the principal laboratory responsible for

feedingstuffs analysis in Ireland. Samples of feed materials, feed additives,

mineral mixtures and compound feeds are routinely tested to ensure

that they contain the declared nutrients (protein, fat, starch and

minerals), micro-nutrients (trace elements, vitamins), fibre and moisture

contents and do not contain elevated levels of toxic components

(dioxins, mycotoxins, heavy metals).

Medicated Feed

Feed samples are tested for authorised veterinary medicines and

coccidiostats to ensure that the correct therapeutic levels are present.

Prescribed antibiotics can be given to livestock in the form of medicated

feed and the correct dosage rate is important to prevent a build up of

antibiotic resistance. In addition to analysing routine samples, the State

Laboratory has carried out testing in support of a number of studies

undertaken by D/AFM to monitor the homogeneity of antibiotics

(sulphadiazine and chlortetracycline) in batches of medicated feed

produced by licensed feed mills.

In response to legislative requirements, the State Laboratory

developed a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method

of analysis that is capable of detecting 12 banned antibiotics which are no

longer allowed in livestock production in Europe. Samples of animal feed

are routinely tested for the presence of these banned substances with a

particular focus on home-mix rations.

In 2009, new legislation was introduced by the EU Commission to

address another area of concern - the cross-contamination of feed for

non-target species with authorised coccidiostats. In May 2012, the EU

Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carried out an audit of D/AFM’s

Feedingstuffs controls and the mission team audited a number of feed

manufacturers to examine the procedures in place to minimise this

problem. To assist D/AFM to implement this legislation, the State

Laboratory developed a LC/MS method capable of detecting carryover

levels of 11 coccidiostats which is used routinely to check for the

absence of coccidiostats from rations destined for non-target species.

Cattle Deaths Investigations

In early 2012, the State Laboratory was asked to assist in a D/AFM

investigation into the deaths of 33 beef cattle on a farm in Co. Leitrim.

The deaths had occurred over a two week period and the affected

animals had displayed acute neurological signs prior to death. The cattle

had been fed a mixed diet of molasses, grass silage and a cereal based

ration.

The D/AFM investigation concluded that while it was not possible

to definitively assign the cause of death, based on the results of analysis,

there was a strong epidemiological association between the deaths and

the use of a recycled IBC container to store and feed molasses,

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supported by strong evidence of exposure of the animals to an organotin

compound.

A second instance of cattle deaths occurred in late 2012, when five

animals died on a farm in Co. Roscommon. In this instance the cause of

death was linked to the use of recycled bulk chemical bags to transport

and store beef rations. In this case the bags came from a manufacturing

facility and had previously been used to store caffeine.

The problems arose when the last of the feed was fed to the animals

from the bottom of the bag and the animals immediately showed acute

neurological signs before death. The State Laboratory confirmed that a

sample of white crystalline material found in the bags was caffeine (>98%

purity).

In light of these two incidents, D/AFM planned to communicate

directly with the feed trade and farmers on the inadvisability of using

recycled industrial bags and IBC containers for transporting and storing

animal feeds.

Fertilisers and Liming Materials

The State Laboratory is Ireland’s approved laboratory for checking that

fertilisers placed on the market comply with EU legislation. Fertilisers

and liming material play an essential role in supporting plant growth and

animal production. Fertilisers supply the nutrients required to produce

forage and crops, and liming materials ensure that soil pH is optimised to

support plant growth.

Fertilisers are currently monitored for the following nutrients:

nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and sulphur; and liming materials are

monitored for particle size, total neutralising value and moisture content.

Food Safety

To ensure that food produced in Ireland is of the highest standard, the

Food Safety Authority (FSAI) and D/AFM work together to implement

comprehensive multi-annual control plans to monitor the production of

food at all stages of the food chain and ensure compliance with national

and international standards of food safety. The State Laboratory has

developed a high level of expertise in the chemical analysis of veterinary

drug residues and other contaminants such as dioxins, mycotoxins, heavy

metals and nitrate levels in food.

Veterinary Drug Residues

Under EU legislation (Council Directive 96/23/EC), D/AFM administers a

National Residues Monitoring Plan which is designed to safeguard

consumers from harmful residues in food of animal origin. This is an

area of work that has grown significantly in recent years with a 35%

increase in the number of samples tested in the State Laboratory in

2012. Most of this increase was as a result of new multi-analyte LC/MS

methods of analysis being developed to test for 10 nonsteroidal anti-

inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and 8 sedatives in kidney samples, 5

zeranol metabolites in liver samples and confirmatory analysis of

chloramphenicol in milk and honey samples. This work was previously

outsourced and has resulted in annual savings of more than €100,000 for

D/AFM.

In December 2012, at the request of the FSAI, the State Laboratory

also tested 15 burger samples, suspected of containing equine DNA, for

the presence of phenylbutazone.

Chemical Contaminants

The State Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory for dioxin

analysis in Ireland. Dioxins are highly toxic environmental contaminants

which must be excluded from the human and animal food chain as

approximately 90% of human exposure to dioxins results from the

consumption of contaminated food such as dairy produce, meat and fish.



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In addition to testing a wide range of feedingstuffs (including recycled

foods used for animal feeding), the State Laboratory also tests foods

such as milk and vegetable oils used in the dairy industry and in the

manufacture of infant formula and animal fats sampled under the

National Residue Monitoring Plan.

A testing service is also provided to the Environmental Protection

Agency for their annual survey of background levels of dioxins in milk.

Mycotoxins are substances naturally produced by moulds and fungi

that can enter the food chain via contaminated animal feedingstuffs.

Under the National Residue Monitoring Plan, samples of milk and liver

are tested for aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A respectively.

In recent years, routine testing has shown that some Irish

horticultural produce (particularly potatoes) contains levels of cadmium

close to or above the permitted European maximum levels for this toxic

heavy metal. Cadmium is an environmental contaminant found naturally

in soils and the problem arises due to the high levels of cadmium found

in north Leinster, where much of the Irish horticultural industry is based.

The State Laboratory has provided support to a research project

undertaken by D/AFM into mitigation strategies that could be employed

to reduce the level of cadmium taken up by potatoes by testing large

numbers of potatoes of different varieties grown under different growing

conditions for lead, cadmium and zinc.

There is also concern at EU level regarding the possible health risks

associated with high dietary intakes of nitrates and since leafy vegetables

are the main source of dietary nitrate, maximum levels have been

established for nitrate content in lettuce and spinach and samples taken

by D/AFM are analysed by the State Laboratory on a regular basis.

Plant Health

Since the mid-1980s, the State Laboratory has provided a plant pathogen

testing service to D/AFM for its annual surveys, testing rosaceous plants

for the presence of Fireblight and potatoes for the presence of Ring Rot

and Brown Rot.

With the resignation and retirement of two key members of staff in

2012, the State Laboratory no longer had suitably qualified staff to

oversee this work and the decision was made to transfer responsibility

and expertise for this work to D/AFM’s own laboratory network.

Information and training on the sample preparation and analysis

procedures involved were provided to the relevant D/AFM staff towards

the end of 2012 to enable them to carry out this work from 2013

onwards.

Veterinary Toxicology Service

Golden eagles, white-tailed sea eagles and red kites are protected

species under law and there has been significant investment in the

programme to re-introduce these species to Ireland. The State

Laboratory provides a toxicant testing service to D/AFM and the

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to assist investigations into

suspected poisonings of birds of prey and other highly vulnerable species

(buzzards, kestrels and owls) and to investigate cases of suspected farm

or companion animal poisonings. The State Laboratory has developed a

method of analysis capable of detecting 12 of the most commonly used

toxicants for routine screening of post-mortem samples.

During 2012, there continued to be a number of incidents where re-

introduced birds of prey species, notably red kites, had been killed as a

result of poisoning.



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NUMBERS OF SAMPLES TESTED


Category of Sample No. of Samples No. of Analytes Tested For

Animal Feedingstuffs 954 7,493

Fertilisers / Liming Materials 142 391

Veterinary Residues in Food 1,407 12,703

Dioxins in Feed and Food 348 2,642

Mycotoxins in Feed and Food 469 1,656

Heavy Metals in Vegetables 606 1,681

Nitrates in Vegetables 93 93

Plant Health 2,238 2,806

Toxicants in post mortem samples 170 1,848

Veterinary Medicinal Products 96 102

Totals 6,523 31,415

NEW METHODS DEVELOPED


Test Method Analytical Technique No. of Analytes

Minerals and trace elements in organic feed ICP/OES 7

Tin in animal feed and biological matrices ICP/MS 1

Florfenicol in animal feed HPLC/PDA 1

Oxytetracycline in animal feed HPLC/PDA 1

Caffeine in animal feed HPLC/PDA 1

Water-soluble sulphur and potassium in fertilisers ICP/OES 2

Zinc in potatoes ICP/MS 1

Patulin in apple juice HPLC 1

Sedatives in kidney LC/MS/MS 8

Chloramphenicol in milk LC/MS/MS 1

Chloramphenicol in honey LC/MS/MS 1

Veterinary drugs in veterinary products HPLC/PDA 27

Total 52

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Sub-Goal 2: Customs and Excise

Advise the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on the correct classification of goods under the Customs and Excise Tariff of Ireland

and on the application of appropriate excise duties on hydrocarbon oil products and alcoholic beverages. Assist Revenue with

controlling compliance with the Export Refund and Import Levy systems of the Common Agricultural Policy.


SUB-GOAL 2: Customs and Excise

Customs Samples

The bulk of the work in the Customs area in 2012 related to tariff

classification of a wide range of traded goods such as chemicals,

medicaments and plastics. All goods imported into or exported from the

EU must be classified for Customs purposes and each separate product

is assigned a particular classification code. State Laboratory staff have

developed a high level of expertise in this area which enables them to

advise Revenue on chemical aspects of tariff classification. An important

aspect of the work is attendance at meetings of Technical Committees of

both the European Union and the World Customs Organisation where

issues relating to the interpretation of tariff headings are discussed and

decisions made on the classification of products.

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The other main area of testing was the analysis of meat samples

which were tested to assist Revenue in its role of controlling compliance

with the Export Refund and Import Levy systems of the Common

Agricultural Policy (CAP) and to assist D/AFM to monitor compliance

with import quotas laid down in EU regulations concerning the use of

imported frozen beef and the quality of processed products manufactured

from such beef imports. The level of testing in this area has decreased

significantly in recent years and this has allowed the Laboratory to meet

Revenue’s increased testing requirements in the Excise area.

Excise Samples

The State Laboratory provides an analytical and advisory service to

Revenue in relation to mineral oils, alcoholic beverages and non-potable

alcohol-containing products to assist them in determining the appropriate

duties applicable and in prosecuting fraud where attempts are made to

evade such duties. During 2012, Revenue had a particular focus on

tackling the shadow economy where evasion of excise duties such as

those on oil, tobacco and alcohol was suspected.

Mineral Oil Testing

The main illicit activity in relation to mineral oil is the laundering of

marked fuel to remove the marker added to lower-taxed mineral oil for

off-road use. This has been a persistent problem for many years but it

became more acute in 2011 when environmental regulations meant that

the limit for the sulphur content in marked fuel became the same as that

for road fuel. This made fuel laundering more viable and laundering and

distribution activities increased dramatically.

Fuel laundering poses a serious threat to the Exchequer, to legitimate

trade and, because of the processes used in laundering, to the

environment. The revenue loss from diesel laundering is in excess of

€100m per annum. During 2012, Revenue adopted a comprehensive

strategy to tackle the problem which resulted in 11 oil laundries being

detected and dismantled and the seizure of more than 1.1 million litres of

illicit mineral oil and illegally laundered fuel. The State Laboratory

supports this work by analysing samples of the fuel seized from road

vehicles and laundries for the presence/absence of prescribed oil markers

and providing analytical evidence and expert advice to facilitate the

prosecution of those involved in this fraudulent activity.

Revenue is also working with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in

the UK on a joint approach to finding a more effective fuel marker. Staff

from the State Laboratory are involved in this process and, following an

Invitation to Make Submissions issued by Revenue and HMRC in June

2012, the State Laboratory made a presentation at a briefing session for

prospective applicants on the Irish fuel marking system and the general

requirements for a new fuel marker.

The State Laboratory is also represented on the Evaluation Group

set up to evaluate the submissions received. Evaluation of the

submissions will require a significant amount of laboratory analysis and

testing to enable the most suitable marker to be chosen and this work

will be undertaken by the State Laboratory during 2013.



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Customs & Excise


Customs / CAP 378 227

Excise - Mineral Oils 1,899 10,672

Excise - Alcohols 270 565

Totals 2,547 11,464



Alcohol Testing

For excise purposes, alcoholic beverages are classified as beers, wines,

ciders or spirits and duty is based on the alcohol content. Counterfeit

spirits are illegally produced alcoholic drinks which are often sold to

consumers as legitimate product.

The State Laboratory assists the Office of the Revenue

Commissioners and the National Consumer Agency to combat excise

duty fraud and the production and distribution of counterfeit spirits, which

can contain methanol and other alcohols dangerous to human health. Most

samples are tested for alcohol content and where required, congener

profiling and testing for authenticity indicators is carried out. A small

number of samples containing non-potable alcohol are tested for

denaturants.

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SUB-GOAL 3: Coroner’s Service

& Public Health / Environmental Protection

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Human Toxicology Service

The State Laboratory assists Coroners and the State Pathologist by

analysing post mortem samples to confirm the presence or absence of

ethanol, legal and illegal drugs and other toxic substances. The levels of

substances detected are also quantified.

Samples are also analysed in criminal cases (e.g. death in custody,

murder and alleged rape) where there is a need for drug analysis on

biological samples. This aspect of the Laboratory’s work is becoming

increasingly important as there is an expectation of a fast and

comprehensive analytical service for a wide range of drugs and alcohol

which form part of the files for the prosecution. This also leads to an

increased demand for staff to attend and give evidence in legal

proceedings.

With the introduction of newer LC/MS based analytical methods,

the delivery of the drug testing service has changed dramatically in

recent years. The development of new test methods, in combination

with connectivity of the LC/MS instruments to the Laboratory

Information Management System (LIMS), has greatly improved the range

and timeliness of the service provided and has resulted in very significant

improvements in the overall efficiency of the service.

Sample numbers have increased by 23% in this area since 2008 and

the number of analytes tested for has more than doubled. At the same

time, the average time taken to report results has dropped from 86 days

to 58 days, with 92% of samples reported within 3 months in 2012

compared to 60% in 2008.

These improvements have been made possible through investment

in new LC/MS instruments and continual method development. State

Laboratory staff are pro-active about using their wide network of

contacts to keep abreast of the latest drugs of abuse in circulation and

where possible they extend the scope of the methods of analysis to

include these new compounds as soon as reference standards become

available.

During 2012, 10 new “spice compounds” were added to the suite of

cannabinoid-type drugs that could be confirmed, bringing the total for

this analytical method to 24 analytes. The blood and urine test methods

for other drugs of abuse were expanded to include 5 new compounds

and 8 new commonly prescribed drugs were added to the prescribed

drugs screen, bringing the total to 79.

Further development work was undertaken towards the end of

2012 with a view to developing a new high resolution LC/MS screening

method in-house to replace the current practice of outsourcing samples

for drugs of abuse screening prior to LC/MS confirmation of suspect

positive samples in-house. If this development work proves successful, it

will reduce the overall time taken for drugs of abuse testing and save on

outsourcing costs which increased 5-fold during 2012.

Environment Protection

Ireland is required to submit an annual report to the European

Commission on the results of its fuel quality monitoring programme. To

monitor compliance with European Union Directives that aim to control

air pollution, petrol and diesel samples are analysed for a range of quality

parameters on behalf of D/ECLG.

A new sampling regime was introduced in 2012 to include official

testing of samples taken at garage forecourts around the country, in

Sub-Goal 3: Coroner’s Service & Public Health / Environmental Protection

Provide a toxicology service to assist Coroners’ investigations into the causes of sudden death and to An Garda Síochána to assist

with criminal investigations. Assist the Irish Medicines Board to control the use of prescription drugs and monitor the quality of auto-

fuels for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

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addition to samples taken at oil terminals and at the Whitegate oil

refinery. This resulted in more than twice as many samples being tested

compared to previous years.

Heritage Protection

The State Laboratory continued to provide scientific assistance to a

variety of bodies responsible for the conservation of Ireland’s heritage

throughout 2012.

The National Museum was assisted by determining the elemental

composition of a yellow pigment on the original Starry Plough Flag, prior

to it being exhibited at Collins Barracks during the centenary year of the

Labour Party. The Laboratory also helped the museum with the

identification of a white powder found on a soldier’s uniform which

dated back to the War of Independence.

Assistance was provided to the National Gallery on a number of

restoration projects. Samples from 8 paintings from the Jack B. Yeats

collection were tested to identify the pigments used and spectroscopic

analysis was performed on samples taken from Turner paintings to

provide historical information.

The Chester Beatty Library also availed of the State Laboratory’s

analytical services to analyse pigments and metal leaf from precious early

Qur’ans, which make up part of its Islamic collection.




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Human Toxicology / Environment / Medicines / Heritage


Human Toxicology 3,866 212,089

Environment 221 2,347

Medicinal Products 91 155

Heritage Protection 45 45

Totals 4,223 214,636

NEW METHODS DEVELOPED

Human Toxicology / Environment / Medicines / Heritage

Test Method Analytical Technique No. of Analytes

Acidic / neutral drugs (incl. barbiturates) in urine LC/MS/MS 17

Cannabinoid and spice compounds in urine LC/MS/MS 10

Prescribed drugs in blood and urine LC/MS/MS 8

Drugs of abuse in blood LC/MS/MS 5

Drugs of abuse in urine LC/MS/MS 5

Quantitative method for zopiclone in blood LC/MS/MS 1

Quantitative method for paracetamol in blood LC/MS/MS 1

Drugs in medicinal products HPLC/PDA 9

Total 56




Public Health Protection

The State Laboratory assists the IMB by analysing seized pharmaceutical

and herbal products for the presence of pharmaceutically active

compounds. State Laboratory staff also provide expert testimony in

subsequent court prosecutions.

The use of the internet to purchase unlicensed medicines continues

to be a cause for concern. In January 2012 the IMB issued a strong

precautionary message for consumers on the health dangers of taking any

slimming products containing sibutramine, highlighting the fact that

sibutramine was withdrawn from use as a medicine in Ireland in early

2010 due to the increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.

The IMB has also warned the public against purchase of a number of

products of herbal origin such as ‘herbal Viagra’ or other products

purporting to contain only herbal substances with the suggestion that

they can be used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. On analysis it

has been shown that such products had been adulterated with random

quantities of known therapeutic agents such as sildenafil, tadalafil and

vardenafil. Due to potentially serious adverse reactions, these drugs

should only be used under medical supervision and all are restricted to

prescription-only supply for this reason.

During 2012, the most common drugs tested for were sibutramine

and sildenafil-type drugs. Development work was also progressed on a

new accurate mass quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography mass

spectrometry (QTOF-LC/MS) method for the detection of 27 sildenafil-

type drugs. Once this method is accredited, it will be possible to

significantly increase the number of samples tested with the same staff

resources.

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ADMINISTRATION

Under the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014 (Croke Park

Agreement), there is a requirement for all public bodies to focus on the

needs of the citizen and to be more responsive and more cost effective.

The ongoing challenge for the State Laboratory is to address how

service delivery is to be maintained in the context of reduced staff

numbers and resources.

Staffing

Five staff left the Laboratory during 2012. The State Chemist and one

Chemist II retired; one Chemist II resigned; one Laboratory Analyst

went on Career Break; and one Higher Executive Officer left on

completion of his secondment and was replaced on secondment by a

new Higher Executive Officer following an interview process. A

Chemist also returned from Career Break in 2012.

In 2012, the Laboratory continued with its student placement

scheme in association with Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin

Institute of Technology (DIT), Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) and

the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Four students were

placed in areas complementary to their academic discipline for a period

of six months.

Sick Leave

The Croke Park Agreement tasks all public bodies with reducing their

level of sick leave by 10%, thereby resulting in improved productivity and

providing cover for reduced staffing levels. In 2012, there was a 42%

drop in the number of sick days taken by State Laboratory staff over

2011.

Family Friendly Policies and Equality of

Opportunity

State Laboratory staff have access to a wide range of family friendly

policies, including work-sharing, flexitime, parental leave and shorter

working year. However, since the moratorium on recruitment was

introduced in 2009, shortfalls arising from staff availing of these measures

have to be absorbed by the Laboratory.

The Laboratory is committed to an equal opportunities policy. At

the end of 2012, the numbers of males and females in each grade is given

in the table below.

ADMINISTRATION

Family Friendly Policies

Scheme % of staff

availing of

scheme in 2012

Worksharing 10%

Parental Leave 10%

Career Breaks 4%

Shorter Working Year 12%

Other unpaid leave 5%

Gender Breakdown in The State Laboratory

Grade Female Male

State Chemist 1 0

Principal Chemist 0 1

Senior Chemist 4 3

Assistant Principal Officer 1 0

Technical Information

Manager

0 1

Chemist Grade II 4 2

Chemist 9 10

Higher Executive Officer 2 0

Senior Laboratory Analyst 7 6

Laboratory Analyst 13 8

Staff Officer 1 1

Clerical Officer 3 2

Storekeeper 0 2

Head Laboratory Attendant 0 1

Laboratory Attendant 0 5

Total 45 42

21

GOVERNANCE

Quality System

The quality of analytical work from the State Laboratory is enhanced

through compliance with the quality standard ISO/IEC 17025 (General

requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories).

The State Laboratory operates in accordance with a documented quality

system and is currently accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the Irish

National Accreditation Board (INAB Reg. No. 146T) for 49 test

methods covering 339 analytes.

System of Internal Financial Control

The State Chemist’s Statement on Internal Financial Control which was

submitted to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General along

with the State Laboratory’s 2012 Appropriation Account can be found at

Appendix I on page 22.

The State Laboratory’s Audit Committee met twice in 2012. Internal

audits were conducted on Computer System Controls (March); the

System of Internal Control (April); General Procurement and Inventory

(September); Corrective Action Follow-up (March & September). In

addition, progress was reviewed on the Payroll Adjustment Audit carried

out in 2011.

The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office carried out their

annual audit of the State Laboratory’s 2011 Appropriation Account in

March 2012. No significant issues were raised during the audit.

Financial Information

The table below summarises the State Laboratory’s financial expenditure

in 2012, with figures for 2011 provided for comparative purposes.

Gross Expenditure 2011

€000

2012

€000

A1. Salaries, Wages & Allowances 5,006 4,901

A2. Travel and Subsistence 27 22

A3. Training and Development & Incidental

Expenses

208 184

A4. Postal & Telecommunications Services 66 65

A5. Apparatus & Chemical Equipment 1,705 1,757

A6. Office Premises Expenses 1,341 1,362

A7. Consultancy Services (Internal Audit) 12 14

Gross Total 8,366* 8,305

* Rounded figure

GOVERNANCE

22

Statement by the Accounting Officer on Internal Financial Control

1. Responsibility for system of Internal Financial Control

As Accounting Officer I acknowledge my responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated by the

State Laboratory. This responsibility is exercised in the context of the resources available to me and my other obligations as Head of Office. Also, any

system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions authorised and

properly recorded, and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or would be detected in a timely manner. Maintaining the system of

internal financial controls is a continuous process and the system and its effectiveness are kept under ongoing review.

The position in regard to the financial control environment, the framework of administrative procedures, management reporting and internal audit is as

follows:

2. Financial Control Environment

I confirm that a control environment containing the following elements is in place:

financial responsibilities have been assigned at management level with corresponding accountability,

reporting arrangements have been established at all levels where responsibility for financial management has been assigned,

formal procedures have been established for reporting significant control failures and ensuring appropriate corrective action,

there is an audit committee to advise me in discharging my responsibilities for the internal financial control system.

3. Administrative Controls and Management Reporting

I confirm that a framework of administrative procedures and regular management reporting is in place including segregation of duties and a system of

delegation and accountability and, in particular, that

there is an appropriate budgeting system with an annual budget which is kept under review by senior management,

there are regular reviews by senior management of periodic and annual financial reports which indicate financial performance against forecasts,

a risk management system operates within the State Laboratory,

there are systems aimed at ensuring the security of the ICT systems,

there are appropriate capital investment control guidelines and formal project management disciplines,

the State Laboratory is compliant with all relevant guidelines regarding procurement and is complying with all circulars relating to the mandatory

use of framework agreements and contracts.

4. Internal Audit

I confirm that the State Laboratory has an internal audit function with appropriately trained personnel, which operates in accordance with a written

charter which I have approved. Its work is informed by analysis of the financial risks to which the State Laboratory is exposed and its annual internal audit

plans, approved by me, are based on this analysis. These plans aim to cover the key controls on a rolling basis over a reasonable period. The internal audit

function is reviewed periodically by me and by the Audit Committee. I have put procedures in place to ensure that the reports of the internal audit

function are followed up.

___________________

Ita Kinahan

Accounting Officer

State Laboratory

01 March 2013

APPENDIX I

Statement by the Accounting Officer on

Internal Financial Control

23

APPENDIX II

Meetings and Conferences

attended by State Laboratory staff

Meetings and Conferences attended by State Laboratory staff

The State Laboratory services EU and other international committees at the request of its client Departments. Laboratory personnel also participate in

the work of other international expert scientific bodies and conferences. The following list indicates the range of committee work undertaken by State

Laboratory personnel and the meetings and conferences attended during 2012.

Codex Alimentarius Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) session in Budapest, Hungary

EU Co-ordination meeting prior to the CCMAS session in Brussels

CEN (European Committee for Standardization) 9th Meeting of CEN Technical Committee TC/327 WG4 on Animal Feedingstuffs, Brussels.

Workshop of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Feed Additives (EURL-FA) in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Workshop of the EURL for Feed Additives to discuss Coccidiostats Proficiency Test results in Geel, Belgium

Workshop of the EURL for Veterinary Drug Residues (BVL – Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety) in Berlin, Germany

Workshop of the EURL for Veterinary Drug Residues (RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety) in Wageningen, Netherlands

Workshop of the EURL for Dioxins/PCBs in Vienna, Austria

Workshop of the EURL for Dioxins/PCBs in Freiburg, Germany

Bioassay core group meeting of the EURL for Dioxins/PCBs in Freiburg, Germany

7th International Symposium on Recent Advances in POPs Analysis in Venice, Italy

Consultative Committee on Quantity of Material Meeting, BIPM, Paris.

EU Fuel Quality Committee Meeting in Brussels

Meeting of UK & Ireland Forensic Toxicology Network Group in Belfast

SOFT (Society of Forensic Toxicologists) Conference in Boston, USA

Two meetings of the Steering Committee for the National Drugs Related Death Index in Dublin

Meeting of the European Customs Laboratories Steering Group in Brussels

Attended on behalf of Revenue

Meeting of the Scientific Sub-Committee of the World Customs Organisation in Brussels

Meeting of the Project Group concerning the Chemical Chapters of the HS/CN in Brussels

Four meetings of the Customs Code Committee, Tariff and Statistical Nomenclature Section (Agriculture/Chemical Sector) in Brussels

Three meetings of the DG_TAXUD Project Group on the Chemical Chapters of the HS/CN in Brussels

EU Workshop on the Tariff Classification of Textiles and Footwear in Athens

Meeting of the DG_TAXUD Project Group on the Food Chapters of the HS/CN in Brussels

Attended on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Meeting of the Economic Tariff Questions Group (ETCQ - duty suspensions) in Brussels

Two meetings of the Commission Expert Group on Textile Names and Labelling in Brussels

Meeting of the European Network of National Experts on Textile Labelling, held in Ispra, Italy

24

Conference & Seminar Presentations by State Laboratory staff

Poster presented on “A new supported liquid extraction strategy with LCMS detection for the determination of JWH018, JWH073, CP47, 497-

C8, JWH200, JWH019, HU210 and JWH250” by Dr. Geraldine Dowling at a meeting of Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) in Boston, USA

Poster presented on “Forensic Urine Drug Testing in Ireland: A rapid determination of drugs in urine using hybrid quadrupole linear ion-trap

mass spectrometry” by Dr. Geraldine Dowling at a meeting of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) in

Belfast

Poster presented on “Synthetic Cannabinoid Drug Testing in Blood in Ireland: Extraction of AM694, JWH210, JWH122, JWH007, JWH081 and

JWH015 utilising supported liquid extraction (SLE) with detection using hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry” by Dr. Geraldine

Dowling at a meeting of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) in Belfast

Presentation on the “Analysis of Coccidiostats at Carryover Levels” by Dr. Seán Earley at a workshop of the EURL for Feed Additives in Geel,

Belgium

Presentation on the “Irish Fuel Marking System and the Search For A New Fuel Marker” by Dr. Siobhán Ní Ghríofa at a briefing seminar for

prospective applicants for provision of a new fuel marker in London

Presentation on “Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis in the State Laboratory” by Dr. Ed Malone at a cross-agency meeting of chemical laboratories

in Dublin

APPENDIX III

Conference & Seminar Presentations

by State Laboratory staff

25

APPENDIX IV

Irish National Accreditation Board Accredited Tests

Summary of Schedule of Accreditation *

* For further details, see our schedule of accreditation (Reg. No. 146T) on the INAB website (www.inab.ie).

Matrix Measurand Test Method

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Protein Method based on EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (C)

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Oils and Fats EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (H)

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Oils and Fats & Crude Fibre NIR Spectroscopy

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Ash Method based on EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (M)

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Ash Gravimetric method using a Microwave Furnace

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Fibre EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (I)

Animal Feedstuffs Moisture EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (A)

Animal Feedstuffs Nicarbazin In House HPLC method with DAD, based on CANFAS-STM-4-CT94-2216

Animal Feedstuffs Trace Elements: Copper,Manganese & Zinc EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex IV (C) (Atomic Absorption

Spectroscopy)

Animal Feedstuffs Trace Elements:

Copper, Manganese & Zinc

Method based on EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex IV (C) using

Microwave Pressure Digestion and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Animal Feedstuffs Magnesium In house method based on ISO 6869:2000 using Microwave Digestion and

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Animal Feedstuffs Arsenic In house method using Dry Ashing and Hydride Generation Atomic

Absorption Spectroscopy

Animal Feedstuffs Lead, Cadmium & Cobalt EN15550:2007 using Pressure Digestion and Graphite Furnace Atomic

Absorption Spectroscopy for PB & Cd. In house method based on

EN15550:2007 for Co.

Animal Feedstuffs Monensin, Narasin & Salinomycin EN ISO 14183. HPLC method using Post Column Derivatisation.

Animal Feedstuffs Crude Protein EN ISO 16634-1:2008. Nitrogen Content by Consumption according to the

Dumas Principle.

Animal Feedingstuffs Ash insoluble in HCl EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (N)

Animal Feedingstuffs Macro and Trace Elements:

Ca, Na, Mg, P, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co

ICP OES with Microwave digestion

Animal Feedingstuffs Heavy Metals:

As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Co

ICP MS with Microwave digestion

Animal Feedingstuffs Coccidiostats In house method using liquid extraction, detection by LC-MS/MS.

Animal Feedingstuffs Antibiotics In house method using liquid extraction, detection by LC-MS/MS.

Fertilisers Nitrogen DUMAS Combustion

Milk (Liquid & Powder) Aflatoxin M1 Based on an EU/STM method. Extraction and IA column clean-up.

Determination by RP HPLC with Fluorescence Detection.

Straight and Compound

Animal Feedstuffs

Aflatoxin B1 Based on an EU/STM method. Extraction and IA column clean-up.

Determination by RP HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Feed and Cereals Ochratoxin A In house method using IA column cleanup and RP HPLC with fluorescence

detection.

Lettuce, Spinach &

Cabbage

Nitrates In house based on EN12014-2:1997-04. Determination by anion exchange

chromatography following extraction and clean-up.

Feed and Cereals Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A ROSA Charm Immunoassay based screening method

http://www.inab.ie/

26

Matrix Measurand Test Method

Pharmaceutical Samples

including Veterinary

Pharmaceuticals

Identification and / or quantification of pharmaceuticals

samples:

Flexible Scope (Analyte and Range)

In house method using HPLC –DAD.

Petrol and Diesel Fuels Sulphur ISO 20884:2004

Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Petrol and Diesel Fuels Hydrocarbon Content: Aromatics, Olefins and

Benzene

Multidimensional GG. ISO 22854:2008

Gas Oil C.I. Solvent Yellow 124 In house method. Determination by HPLC.

Alcoholic Drinks Alcoholic Strength by Volume In house using a density meter following distillation.

Pure starches, Animal

feed, Foods

Starch EEC Directive 72/199/EEC (Annex 1), determination by the

Polarimetric Method (Ewers principle).

Meat and Meat Products Nitrogen ISO 937:1978 Kjeldahl Method

Meat and Meat Products Hydroxyproline In House Method based on ISO 3496-1994.

Blood & Urine Ethanol In house method. Determination by internal standard quantitation

using Headspace GC with Flame Ionisation Detection.

Blood Carbon Monoxide Automated Spectroscopic Method using an IL682 CO-Oximetry

Instrument

Animal Plasma

and Milk

Confirmatory Analysis of Non Steroidal Anti

Inflammatory Drugs.

Flexible Scope (Matrix, Analyte and Range)

In house LC-MS/MS method.

Animal Urine

Confirmatory Analysis of Hormones. Flexible Scope

(Matrix, Analyte and Range)


Animal Kidney Fat Confirmatory Analysis of Gestagens. Flexible Scope



Animal Serum Confirmatory Analysis of Nitroimidazoles. Flexible

Scope (Matrix, Analyte and Range)


Animal Serum Confirmatory Analysis of Hormones. Flexible Scope



Eggs Confirmatory Analysis of Nitroimidazoles. Flexible



Animal Urine Confirmatory Analysis of Corticosteroids. Flexible



Poultry Liver Confirmatory Analysis of Resorcylic Acid Lactones.



Animal Kidney Confirmatory Analysis of Sedatives



Animal Kidney Confirmatory Analysis of Non Steroidal Anti

Inflammatory Drugs.



Food and Feed Dioxins and Dioxin like PCBs In House GC/HRMS

Food and Feed Dioxins and Dioxin like PCBs Screen by DR CALUX

APPENDIX IV

Irish National Accreditation Board Accredited Tests

Summary of Schedule of Accreditation *

* For further details, see our schedule of accreditation (Reg. No. 146T) on the INAB website (www.inab.ie).

http://www.inab.ie/

27

MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

STATE CHEMIST

ITA KINAHAN

Principal Chemist

Michael Nangle

Principal Chemist

Vacancy

Corporate Services

Mary Keenan

Contaminants & Plant Health

Patricia Bonner

Customs & Excise

Dr. Siobhán Ní Ghríofa

Quality Assurance & Environment

Dr. Gráinne Carroll

Information Technology & Health

Michael O'Donnell

Veterinary Toxicology

John McBride

Human Toxicology

Dr. Liam Regan

Animal Feedingstuffs

Dr. Paula Shearan

APPENDIX V

Organisation Chart

28

State Chemist

Ita Kinahan

Principal Chemist

Michael Nangle

Senior Chemist

Patricia Bonner

Dr. Gráinne Carroll

John McBride

Dr. Siobhán Ní Ghríofa

Michael O'Donnell

Dr. Liam Regan

Dr. Paula Shearan

Chemist Grade II

Dr. Yvonne Kavanagh

Eileen McCarron

Dr. Séan McGowan

Frances Mahon

Dr. Ed Malone

Joanne Ryder

Technical Information Manager Grade II

Dr. Michael O'Gorman

Chemist

Dr. Jonathan Carroll

Dr. Eleanor Dixon

Michael Doyle

Dr. Seán Earley

Dr. Pierrick Février

Dr. John Fields

Niamh Fitzgerald

Joe Fitzsimons

Myra Keogh

Una McArdle

Dr. Mark McDonald

Eddie McGrath

Audrey Nugent

Sharon O'Keeffe

John Reilly

Ruth Reilly

Dr. David Savage

Dr. Julie Tierney

Claire Timbs

Senior Laboratory Analyst

Sheevaun Cody

Angela Cunningham

Dr. Geraldine Dowling

Bernard Hanratty

Tom Harbison

Séan King

Neil Lucey

Marian Lyons

Noreen Monahan

Fiona Noonan

Aengus O’Briain

Keith Pearson

Mairéad Rowsome

Laboratory Analyst

Sinéad Bermingham

Judith Boyle

Ann Marie Bragason

David Canny

Patricia Carter

Simon Daly

Laura Flynn

Marella Gallagher

Madeleine Gibbons

Carol Gleeson

Ray Kelly

Sheila Martin

Ciara McDonnell

Alan Murphy

Olivia O'Connor

Keith O'Sullivan

Colm Reid

Denis Ryan

Dennis Sheehan

Johanna Skelton

Fiona White

Head Laboratory Attendant

Paul Hirtes

Laboratory Attendant

Simon Chiu

Tom Gaule

Syl O'Neill

Declan Powell

Chris Taaffe

Storekeeper

Ciarán Browne Damien Duffy

Corporate Services

Mary Keenan - Assistant Principal Officer

Nuala Talty - Higher Executive Officer

Vivien Curran - Higher Executive Officer

Phyllis Barry - Staff Officer

John Clancy - Staff Officer

Elizabath Ellard - Clerical Officer

Ross Fitzgerald - Clerical Officer

Geraldine Gaffney - Clerical Officer

Anne O'Dwyer - Clerical Officer

Damian Savage - Clerical Officer

APPENDIX VI

Staff List

By Grade (as at 31st December 2012)

ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - The State Laboratory

Documents

Transcript of ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - The State Laboratory