Environmental Measurement Symposium 2011 Bellevue, WA RECAP.

Environmental Measurement Symposium 2011

Bellevue, WA

RECAP

Day 1: Monday August 15, 2011

Sessions Attended: Key Note: “Coffee from Seed to Cup” TNI Mentor Session: “Best Practices for Internal Audits” Review of ASTM D7365-09a (Cyanide) Cyanide Methods and the 2010 Update Rule EPA’s Approval of Compliance Monitoring Methods Ultra Trace Hexavalent Chromium Analysis Optimizing Sample Preservation for Hexavalent

Chromium Analysis

“Coffee from Seed to Cup” by James A Ameika MD FACS

Dr. Ameika provided information and insight into the growing and production of Kona Coffee based on his research and ownership of a coffee plantation in Hawaii.

Provided a step-by-step of the coffee process “from seed to cup” and the parallels between the science of coffee and the science of heart surgery.

Stressed that by doing each step the best way possible is the key to success. Went into details about caffeine chemistry and the benefits to the cardio vascular

system and other body systems. Conclusions: Coffee is a fantastic drink!

Contact information: [email protected] 870-972-8030

Best Practices for Internal Audits

All labs Shall do internal audits of all systems and practices in place in the laboratory.

Audits will be done by the quality manager (trained and qualified personnel who is, when resources permit, independent of the activity to be audited).

Audit cycles SHALL be completed in one year. Perfect internal audits are a “Red Flag” to Assessors. Corrective actions Shall be done in a timely manner. Customers Shall be notified (part of the corrective action) when audit

findings reflect negatively on any aspect of analyses preformed for customers.

Everything will be recorded including audit findings, corrective actions, customer notifications, and follow-up activities.

Policies in the laboratory shall specify time frame for customer notification Laboratory Management will assure that all of the above is done within the

agreed upon time frame. Prioritize findings: use levels 1. worst, 2. , 3. , etc.

Best Practices for Internal Audits cont.

Internal Audit Scheduling and Preparation: Make a list and include: methods analyzed in lab; document

control; PT results (lab need to track PT results in-house and not depend on state); control charts; logbooks & records; training & DOC’s; reagents (received, preped, used, expired, etc); customer feedback including complaints; etc.

When to audit? Take into consideration lab work load, external audit schedule, staff schedule, management schedule, etc.

What type of audit: Horizontal or Vertical? Horizontal: follow a process from start to end, spanning many

different functions or departments. Time consuming. Vertical: look in depth a particular function or department Audits can span over the full year. Need to be time conscious in

regards to management system.


Internal Audit Preparation: Many ways to proceed (follow and SOP, checklist,

computer program, make it up as you go, etc). Preparation is the key to success.

Review past audits, corrective actions, SOPs, methods, QAM, etc.

Internal Audit Checklists Automated Audit Software has the standards already in place and is a great tool and time saver…if your budget allows.

The NELAC 2009 check list is free if you buy the 2009 standards. http://www.nelac-institute.org/qscheck2009-access.php Includes copyrighted materials.


Corrective Actions Use control charts and set limits. Use LIMS if available. The lab shall have a policy to implement corrective action for

nonconforming work, departures from policies and procedures and technical operations.

The lab shall assign the appropriate authority to implement corrective action.

Procedures for corrective actions shall start with an investigation into the Root cause(s) of the problem. This is the key and the most difficult.

Corrective actions most likely will correct and eliminate the problem and hope to prevent a recurrence.

Corrective actions shall be to a degree appropriate to the magnitude and risk of the problem.

The lab shall document and implement any required actions resulting from corrective action investigations.

The lab shall monitor results to ensure corrective actions have veen effective.

Best Practices for Internal Audits cont

Root Cause Analysis: Basics: Identify what, why, and how Root causes are underlying, preventable and controllable. Ask Why 5 times. Address the issues found and correct problem:

Is it isolated? Is it systematic? Is it a management issue? Monitor results; prevent recurrence; follow up with verification.

Improve management system Results of root cause investigation:

Improved training procedures; Updated SOP’s evaluation of work loads & staffing and changes in procedures to prevent repeat deficiency.


Implementing Corrective Actions: Create a spreadsheet (Excel) or other document to track

progress. Include: deficiencies; sections; corrective action; due date;

completion date; verification date; comments

Verifying Corrective Actions: Create an Audit coversheet. Provide details in sheet, not

just single reasons or words. Verify for implementation and effectiveness (This is one

of the places that corrective actions processes fail). Suggest 30-45 days.

Monitor over the next several months.


Misc. Information: Teamwork in labs benefits everyone. Train new staff in tandem

with experienced staff; working through start to finish insuring that new analyst is in sync with SOP’s and QAM. Works for all size labs.

Good places to find help: Networking helps everyone. Water Environmental Federation Association: post a problem and

they’ll respond. Add to corrective action plan. Linked In

• Water & Wastewater Forum • Environmental Laboratory Forum

References: Betsy Kent [email protected] 407-824-7301 David Caldwell [email protected] 405-702-1039

Standard Practice D7365-09a for Sampling, Preservation and Mitigating Interferences in Water Samples for Analysis of Cyanide

Developing a standard practice for cyanide including proper preservation in the field, checking for interferences and analyzed with the appropriate analytical method works to prevent (a +/- bias in the measurement). Interference can lead to permit violations, fines, undetected

cyanide discharges into the environment. Several cyanide methods have conflicting interference treatment

techniques, are outdated and do not reflect current technology. Procedures are too complicated for field personnel. EPA methods update (3/12/07) review raised many questions

See 40 CFR part 136.3, Table II footnote 6 for information


ASTM D7365-09a Presented practice at 2009 NEMC. Proposed during recent EPA MUR to replace current footnote. Applicable for the collection and preservation of water samples

for the analysis of cyanide. Addresses known interferences prior to the analysis of cyanide. States the responsibilities of the field sampler and the laboratory. Procedures recommended in this presentation are

recommended for the analysis of total cyanide, available cyanide, weak acid dissociable cyanide and free cyanide by test methods D2036, D4282, D6888, D6994, D7237, D7284 and D7511.

The information supplied in the presentation can also be applied to other analytical cyanide methods (EPA 335.4)


Acknowledgements ASTM D19.06 Cyanide Task Group US EPA Office of Water Presented by :

John R. Sebroski for Bayer MaterialScience [email protected] 724-774-0911

Cyanide Methods and the 2010 MUR

OI Analytical has been working with the EPA in an effort to get the new ASTM cyanide methods approved for NPDES reporting. updated ASTM D2036 to include ion chromatography and FIA gas

difussion amperometry as determinative steps. Have also included ASTM D7284. D7284 determines cyanide by FIA gas diffusion amperometry following small scale distillation. Of course, ASTM D7511 is included as well.

Much work has been done on the Table of approved inorganic methods to try and make it more readable, and also ofn Part 136.6. Part 136.6 is “method flexibility” and the part has been expanded to include example situations of what is allowed.

Presentation was an overview of cyanide chemistry, problems associated with approved methods and solutions that are available using the new ASTM methods.

Contact: William Lipps (AKA the Cyanide Guy) [email protected] 979-690-1711

For more information contact www.oico.com

Overview of the EPA Office of Water’s Alternate Test Procedure Program

An alternate test procedure (ATP) uses the same determinative technique as that used in an EPA-approved method.

A new method uses a determinative technique that is different from that used in a EPA-approved method.

Organized by analytical categories: Chemical, Microbiological, Whole Effluent Toxicity and

Radiochemical methods Process for gaining approval of ATP’s and new

methods for nationwide use in compliance monitoring under the Clean Water Act


Presentation covered the following topics: ATP Program Management ATP and New Method protocols Performance criteria validation Method defined parameters Application requirements Flexibility at 40 CFR part 136.6 Examples:

Modifications that fall under flexibility include: the use of prepackaged reagents; changes between manual flow analysis and discreet analyzer; changes in calibration range.

Modifications that require approval as an ATP or New Method include: changes to the underlying chemistry of an approved method; changes to the determinative technique of a approved method; changes to methods that measure method defined analytes

Validation Studies and Requirements (including table & explanation) and Results Approval through rule making

Rule making process can take one year or more Contact Information: J. Kevin Roberts, CSC [email protected] 703-461-2036


Successful ATP’s and New Methods Proposed Method Update Rule published 9/23/11

HACH Method 10360 (LDOR) in Water In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1002-8-2009 DO by Optical

probe In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1003-8-2009 BOD by

Optical probe In-Situ Incorporated’s Method 1004-8-2009 CBOD by

Optical probe Mitchell Method M5271 Turbidity in Wastewater Mitchell Method M5331 Turbidity in Wastewater Thermo Scientifics' Orion Method AQ4500 Turbidity in

Wasterwater Systea Scientific, LLC’s Systea Easy Nitrate Method

Trace Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium using IC-ICP-DRC-MS: Presentation Analytical Methods for Cr(VI) Analysis

Method 7196: colorimetry Method 7199/218.6 Ion Chromatography – UV Various preconcentration Methods:

Followed by colorimetry, FAAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS detection Evolution of IC-UV Methods: Dionex AS7 4mm column; 1mL

injection loop; 0.018 ppb detection limit. The new method (DL = 0.001 ppb); injects 1 mL of buffered sample. Matrix Effects for Blanks: Ca, Mg and transition metals (Fe, Mn and

Al) Cr(VI) Analysis using IC-ICP-MS: providing <10 ppt detection

limit for >10 years. Cr(VI) can be a problem for DW Utilities due to treatment system

Trace Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium using IC-ICP-DRC-MS: Presentation

Presentation went into method specific detail. For information, see handout or contact the following:

Hakan Gurleyuk, Ph.D. [email protected] 425-483-3300 Russ Gerads [email protected] Ben Wozniak [email protected] Tyler Kennedy [email protected] Jacob Meyer [email protected]

Optimizing Sample Preservation for Hexavalent Chromium Analyses in Waters: Presentation

Introduction Background information; regulatory update;

common analytical methods EPA Method 218.6

Instrumentation; optimization & performance; sample results

Conclusion Contact information:

Dr. Yongtao Li [email protected] 574-472-5562

Day 2: Tuesday August 16, 2011

Sessions Attended: “Collaborative Opportunities for Meeting the USEPA’s

Measurement and Monitoring Needs” Electronic Management of Analytical Data Selecting the Proper LIMS Importance of Low Level Analysis (Nutrient Analyses) Accurate Measurement of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Monitoring & fractionation of low-level Phosphorus Key Note: Update on Activities of TNI The important of analytical methods and data interpretation Colorimetric P Speciation Analysis Low level Detection of Ammonia Overview of Approved Methods and candidate method

capabilities

Collaborative Opportunities for Meeting the US EPA’s Measurement and Monitoring Needs

Presented by Lara Autry, US EPA Contact info: [email protected] 919-541-5544 Stated what EPA needs to support more method development and enforce data quality and

reliability. Spoke about the purpose and initiatives of the OSA (office of the science advisor), the

STPC (science and technology policy council) and the FEM (forum on environmental measurements.

Presented the monitoring assessment timeline Agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment Now in the monitoring strategy March 2011 thru present Provided definition of the process

Inventory of efforts Focused on routine programs and database

Stated the data gaps & needs – Administrator’s priorities Common themes

Measurement & Method development Data management Data analysis assessment Emergency response

Program’s Challenges: REOURCSES Need more available resources Strains on existing resources Ability is constrained by resources

Collaborative Opportunities for Meeting the US EPA’s Measurement and Monitoring Needs …cont…

Better, Cheaper, Smaller, Faster!! Monitoring needs to be:

Real time (continuous, automated) Low cost Multi pollutant Portable innovative

Specific prioritized opportunities Both more feasible and less feasible projects

Specific identified opportunities Stated list of what is current

The Agency is working to Support method development; establish a framework for all data and enforce

data quality. What’s next

Identify more specific needs projects; explore use of what is available; establishe collaborative relationships; identify funding; establish new funding; develop plan to meet future needs; develop system to sustain inventory; continue outreach. current

NEMC Analytical Electronic Data Integrity

Attended two am sessions Electronic Management of Environmental Analytical Data

Anand Mudambi, USEPA• Contact info: [email protected] 202-564-2817

Stressed the importance of moving forward towards the use of paperless exchange of data

General environmental flow needs to be electronic Need to work with established data management frameworks such as the

ERLN, WLA, etc. Need to provide standard templates, formats, procedures, etc for all Needs to be non-proprietary, use international standards and provide

guidance Needs data reporting tools Data assessment tools (automating data review and identifying data quality) Stated the benefits

• Ease of: data exchange; data storage; data retrieval; verification of reported data; data reuse.

Getting to this point• Need to: change attitudes; have everyone cooperate; adopt standards

NEMC Analytical Electronic Data Integrity …cont…

Selecting the Proper LIMS Robert Walla, Astrix Technology Group

• Contact info: [email protected] 732-661-0400 ext 12 Presented a systematic approach to guarantee a success

implementation of a LIMS system into a laboratory High level requirements

• Must be: user friendly; operate on Windows; operate on the internet; be able to track samples; perform QC; generate reports; etc

Many LIMS meet the above requirements but at least 50% of all LIMS on market DO NOT meet expectations

How to find a LIMS:• Ask a colleague; internet search; conference; vendor demo; etc

Take a systematic approach• Evaluate and analyze; request proposal and score; extensive vendor

demo. Create and RFP and stick with it. Do a cost analysis

NEMC Challenges of Low Concentration Nutrient Analyses Attended three am sessions

Importance of Low-Level Analysis in Comparison to Sample Timing, Handling and Other Methods to Obtain Representative Phosphorus Measurements in Lake Water

Gertud Nurnberg, Ph.D.• Contact info: [email protected] 705-767-3718

Accurate Measurement of Particulate Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Environmental Water Samples

Carl Zimmermon, Carolyn Keefe, & Jerome Frank• Contact info: [email protected] 410-326-7252

Monitoring and Fractionation of Low-Level Phosphorus in Water and Environment

Wei Ning YAP, kok Yong LIM, Wei ZHANG, Zhongxian GUO• Contact info: [email protected] +65-6326-2925

NEMC Challenges of Low Concentration Nutrient Analyses …cont…

All three presentations were geared towards: Freshwater / surface water research Case studies of specific Lakes Target specific to phosphorus and nitrates Methods and specifics

Update on the Activities of the NELAC Institute KeyNote Address: Steve Arms, FL DOH

Contact info: [email protected] 904-791-1502

Presented the 2010 Accomplishments Most notably: major reorganization; new lab standards; draft quality management plan;

strategic management plan 2010-2015; funding awards; new organizations and accreditations; new work groups; new templates and the new expert committee.

Consensus Standards Development Expert Committee Activities

Involved in many NELAC committees to update, implement and interpret standards, requests and regulations.

Environmental Measurement Methods Expert Committee Goal: New consensus standards developed by 2012. funding support provided by cooperative

agreement with EPA Work on LOD, LOQ, Instrument calibration and other concepts

Standards Interpretations NELAP and NEFAP Online request form www.nelac-institute.org/interpret-request.php

Interpretation process NOT to be used to with a dispute between a laboratory or an FSMO and an AB Laboratories should attempt to reconcile all such interpretations witht eh applicable method publisher

or EPA program

Update on the Activities of the NELAC Institute …cont…

NELAP Accomplishments New process for AB evaluations SOP for general complaint resolution Consistency Improvement Task Force focus on assessor competency Increased number of Accreditation Bodies to 15 Web application for endorsing SIRs Comprehensive plan for implementation of 2009 NELAC standards

NELAP Plans Implement 2009 Standards Continue renewal evaluations for AB’s Implement national database of accredited labs (LAMS) Finalize small lab handbook

NEFAP Program applies to field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMOs) 4 AB’s accredited and ready Conduct training and outreach

PT program Accomplishments Non-potable Water update: review to be completed this summer

FoPT table review to be completed within a year

Update on the Activities of the NELAC Institute …cont…

PT Program Plans Implement updates and tables for all areas

Two new FoPT tables: Field (Lead in paint) and Protozoa (Crypto) Define and process for removal and addition of analytes to FoPT tables

PT Program Summary TNI recognized PT provider accreditors: A2LA and ACLASS

Updates on Boards, groups, support, administration See actual presentation handout for complete information and Updates of committees TNI Cooperative Agreements with EPA

NEW (2010-2015) $750,00 to develop measurement tools, accreditation standards and technical support. $500 to manage the National Environmental Monitoring Conference

Measurement Tools Educational Delivery System New Quality Manual template is available for purchase 2011 and Beyond: Continue to adopt, implement, develop, refine the Standards that

are NELAC Has over 850 active members! Need volunteers: join a committee!

Contact TNI: www.nelac-institute.org [email protected] 817-598-1624

NEMC Challenges of Low Concentration Nutrient Analyses Attended four pm sessions

Importance of Analytical Methods in the Interpretation of Data from Natural Systems

Nancy Simon, USGS• Contact info: [email protected] 703-648-5863

Evaluation of Colorimetric Phosphate Speciation Analysis Using Long Path Lengths and Model Compounds

Scott Smith• Contact info: [email protected] 519-884-0710

Low Level Determination of Ammonia Edward Askew Ph.D.

• Contact info: [email protected] 563-554-9450 Low Concentration Nutrient Determinations in Water –An

Overview and Candidate Method Capabilities William Lipps

• Contact info: [email protected] 303-236-3467

NEMC Challenges of Low Concentration Nutrient Analyses …cont…

All four presentations were geared towards: Freshwater / surface water research Case studies of specific Lakes Target specific to phosphorus, algae, ammonia

and nitrates Methods: new, specific, validation, candidates

and capabilities

Day 3: Wednesday August 17, 2011

Sessions Attended: Plenary Session: “Monitoring Response to Environmental Disasters”

Responding to Environmental Disasters Stages of Incident Response from a Laboratory Perspective Research Needs from the Gulf Oil Spill BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Generating Meaningful Environmental Information During the Chaos of an Emergency Response

Radioanalytical Emergency Response – A State Perspective Standardizing Electronic Data Deliverables: Public Health Laboratory

Emergency Response Emergency Response – Field Support for Sample Integrity Making Progress Detection, Quantitation, and Calibration Activities of

the EMMEC Laboratory Selection During Emergency Response Actions

Plenary Session: “Monitoring Response to Environmental Disasters”

Attended four am sessions Responding to Environmental Disasters

Stan Meiburg, USEPA Region 4• Contact info: [email protected]

Types of disasters: manmade or natural Involved in Response to Katrina and BP Oil Spill The Role of information in Environmental Emergency Response Type of Information necessary to EPA’s response (Air, water,

sediment, waste sampling and monitoring). Tech assistance, data management and community outreach

Many partners and organizations involved in a disaster response Details about responses (EPA, partners, FEMA) to disasters STRESS a unified command. Set up Data management and

Operations divisions Set up an assessment and recovery process Infrastructure support Incident timelines

Plenary Session: “Monitoring Response to Environmental Disasters” …cont…

Testing in Response to Environmental Disasters – A Laboratory Perspective David Friedman

• Contact info: [email protected] 703-389-3821 Four stages (determine nature of problem, the severity and extent, remediation of the situation and

demonstrating remediation accomplished) Discussed both disasters and incidents that presented both a health and environmental impact Stage One: Labs need to assess considerations for samples, hazards, staff, etc. Stage Two: severity and extent of contamination

• What to test for• Number of samples• Turnaround time• Data management

Stage Three: supporting remediation process• Becomes more routine• Indicator analytes

Stage Four: problem over- back to normal Laboratory networks

http://www.epa.gov/erln http://www.epa.gov/safewater http://fern.org http://www.bt.cdc.gov/lrn


Research Needs from the Gulf Oil Spill Danny Reible

• Contact info: [email protected] 512-471-4642 The Deepwater Horizon (DH) oil spill released approximately 4.9

million barrels of oil to the northern GOM and about 2 million gallons of applied chemical dispersants. This oil spill exceeded that of the Exxon Valdez and ultimately became the second largest oil spill in history, trailing only the Persian Gulf spill during the Gulf War in 1991. The oil and chemical dispersants released during the DH spill may have both short- and long-term impacts on Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

Despite a long history of oilfield activity in the Gulf of Mexico, we were remarkably unprepared to predict the behavior and effects of the oil and propose effective, low impact means of mitigating and remediating the spill.

Presentation summarized the behavior of the spill, focusing on the current status of the spill and its effects in the Gulf of Mexico and particularly in the near shore areas and on beaches and marshes.


BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: An Industry Perspective Al Verstufyft Ph.D.

Contact info: [email protected] 707-815-0213 Lessons learned in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Operational Discipline, Safety Culture,

and the Value of Measurement and Testing. The BP Incident Report Executive Summary and Deepwater Horizon Accident Investigation

Report identified the primary issues.• The annulus cement barrier did not isolate the hydrocarbons.• The shoe track barriers did not isolate the hydrocarbons. • The negative-pressure test was accepted although well integrity had not been established• Influx was not recognized until hydrocarbons were in the riser.• Well control response actions failed to regain control of the well.• Diversion to the mud gas separator resulted in gas venting onto the rig.• The fire and gas system did not prevent hydrocarbon ignition.• The BOP emergency mode did not seal the well.

The Federal Oil Spill Commission found that the Deepwater Horizon disaster was foreseeable and preventable.

Errors and misjudgments by three major oil drilling companies—BP, Halliburton, and Transocean—played key roles in the disaster.

Government regulation was ineffective, and failed to keep pace with technology advancements in offshore drilling.

The well blowout was the product of human error, engineering mistakes, and management failures. These errors, mistakes, and management failures were not the product of a single, rogue company, but instead reveal both failures and inadequate safety procedures by three key industry players that have a large presence in offshore oil and gas drilling throughout the world.

NEMC Environmental Monitoring Needs Following Environmental Disasters Attended five pm sessions

Generating Meaningful Environmental Information During the Chaos of an Emergency Response

Ruth Forman• Contact info: [email protected] 610-935-5577

Presented similarities and differences between large scale responses PPL Martins Creek Fossil Plant TVA Kingston Fossil Plant BP Deepwater Horizon

Presented project background information and event facts Stated what Environmental Standards Involvement was

Global and specific recommendations Data management

Presented Project accomplishments Notes of Interest: Activities & challenges Conclusions

Need to establish incident command and who is in charge Develop a QA plan Full cycle data management process and data management plan

NEMC Environmental Monitoring Needs Following Environmental Disasters

Radioanalytical Emergency Response – State Perspective Jack Bennett

• Contact info: [email protected] 860-509-8530 Not a Matter of “if” but of “when” preparation is the key. National planning

scenario #11 Enhanced capacity of the CDC to analyze 500 samples/day for any priority

radionuclides FDA has set up labs to analyze food EPA has set up labs to analyze environmental samples CT applied for EPA grant in 2007 to enhance analytical capacity

Implementation of rapid methods New state of the art Public Health Laboratory

• Enhanced “safe” area Discussion of lab’s capabilities (methods, protocols, personnel, etc)

Need for RAD safety plan Isotopes of future concern Get more labs up to speed on rapid methods

Lab method validation reporting


Standardizing Electronic Data Deliverables: Public Health Laboratory Emergency Response

Jack Krueger• Contact info: [email protected] 207-845-2482

Environmental health laboratories provide data routinely and during emergencies.

Common practice to request laboratory data in a standardized electronic format also known as an Electronic Data Deliverable (EDD).

Issues: different / unique message formats. Sending data with multiple formats requires significant time during emergencies and compromises coordination of response.

An approach to standardization is to base data element selection on the laboratory analytical sequence and include in the EDD key quality control data or measurement quality objectives (MQO). These MQOs assure the real time quality of data and adds to the capability demonstration that certification offers.

Presentation discussed efforts by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to standardize the EDD and improve the ability of public health laboratories to participate interoperably during emergency responses.

A White Paper on this topic is also available, “Environmental Laboratory Electronic Data Management”.

LIMS vendors also seek standardization;


Emergency Response – Field Support for Sample Integrity Charles Newton

• Contact info: [email protected] 251-666-6633 Reality vs Expectation Events

Natural disasters; industrial accidents; transportation issues; field activity incidents Chaotic event with multiple parties collecting samples and submitting to many labs

Goals & Objectives Set up a sample receiving protocol Documentation

• Provide to all parties of interest Data quality Reduce need to resample

Common sample receipt issues Special considerations (identify up front if possible) Roles and Responsibilities (prepare ahead) Take pride in the service you provide and in what you do Plan ahead Document everything


Laboratory Selection During Emergency Response Actions – Balancing the Need for Quality Data with the Need for Quick Data

Jennifer Gable• Contact info: [email protected] 610-935-5577

Disasters happen…plan for it Select labs carefully (establish criteria in advance)

Take into consideration location, capabilities, services, ability for data management

Communication is key Challenges

Lack of organization Immediate need for data / quick turn-around No time to plan ahead Intense scrutiny

Develop concise technical specifications (normalize handling and reporting protocol across many labs)

Discuss price in Emergency response plan

NEMC Operational and Advocacy Issues Impacting the Environmental Laboratory Industry

Making Progress on Detection, Quantitation and Calibration Richard Burrows


Current and planned activities of the EMMEC TNI sub committee Create & adopt standards to support a strong technical approach to

quantitation, detection and calibration. Standards need to be usable across various EPA and state programs.

Stated various weakness of calibration practices in EPA methods Suggested solutions to calibration

Pros / cons Challenges:

Tools needed are not currently available in most instrument software Need to be compliant with EPA analytical methods Need to be consistent with quality systems standards

Working draft standard for consideration at January TNI meeting 2012

Day 2: Thursday August 18, 2011

Sessions Attended: KeyNote Address “Observing Puget Sound” Laboratory Readiness for Large-Scale Environmental Incidents –

Practice Makes Perfect EPA Region 9 and 10 Exercise Use of a Work Cell Model to Successfully Manage Large

Projects The Role of LC and LC/MS in the Environmental Laboratory Eliminating the Secondary Extraction pH Step in the Automated

Solid Phase Extraction of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds from Water For EPA Method 8270D

Also sat in on some TNI committees

Observing Puget Sound

Jan Newton• Contact info: [email protected] 206-543-9152

Great presentation of the on going monitoring of this unique fjord.

Compared to Chesapeake Bay Unique currents and tidal range Highly productive (biota) but also highly retentive (contaminants) Experiences coastal upwelling Puget Sound Partnership (protect & restore)

17 federal agencies WA Tribal Associations Formed a council

On-going

NEMC Monitoring Needs Following Environmental Disasters (Continued) Laboratory Readiness for Large-Scale Environmental Incidents –Practice

Makes Perfect Barry Pepich


Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9 Develop nationwide laboratory networks for food, veterinary, plant health, and water

quality that integrate existing Federal and State Lab resources, are interconnected and utilize standard diagnostic protocols and procedures

ERLN Managed by EPA National Network that can be accessed during a national incident Intended to address chemical, biological and radiological threats in Environmental

matrices EPA regional Laboratory responsible during events Case Study of Region 10 Exercise and tour of the virtual Lab

Joint Region 9 & 10 full scale exercise August 20-27, 2010 41 Roles; 25 participating laboratories; 4 utilities; CDC involvement

Benefits of exercise: Coordinated effort between labs, agencies, states, etc

NEMC Monitoring Needs Following Environmental Disasters (Continued) EPA Region 9 & 10 Exercise – A Participating

Laboratory Perspective Blaine Rhodes

Contact info: [email protected] 206-418-5520 Presented scenario of exercise and work done by

laboratory Level 3, 2 and 1 labs involved Exercise incorporated laboratory errors, equipment

failures, weather conditions and ultimately shipment across country to an east coast lab

Ultimately all challenges were met Communication was outstanding Some issues but worked through

NEMC Monitoring Needs Following Environmental Disasters (Continued) Use of a Work Cell Model to Successfully Manage Large Projects

Chuck Neslund Contact info: [email protected] 717-656-2300 ext 1819

Presented problem: busy lab needs to accommodate many samples for an indefinite period of time

Staffing and space not readily available Quality systems and expectations must be maintained Normal workload must be maintained Client specific needs for quick turn-around must be met

Solution Borrow (work cells and cross functional team modeling) Work cells improve quality and efficiency, reduce lag time, eliminate waste, improve

quality Establish Work cell in lab to focus exclusively on project

Presented steps of process (general lab procedures starting with receipt); work cells skip the sample holding step and close gap between receipt, analysis and reporting

Cross train staff prior to event Concluded this was a success

Conclusion

Attending this year’s Environmental Measurement Symposium in Seattle WA was a valuable learning experience both personally and professionally. The seminars, presentations and exhibits enabled me to obtain key information that will assist the Manchester Water Works’ laboratory to improve efficiency and streamline testing the city’s drinking water in order to maintain the quality of water to our customers.

Overall the experience was a positive one and a benefit to not only the Manchester Water Works and myself, but to the City as a whole. Ensuring the quality and safety of this city’s water is of the upmost importance and training like this insures that we are up to date on technologies, regulations, methods and standards.

I would like to thank LANH for allowing me this opportunity and sponsoring this wonderful experience.

I encourage others to take part in this Symposium in the future

Environmental Measurement Symposium 2011 Bellevue, WA RECAP.

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Transcript of Environmental Measurement Symposium 2011 Bellevue, WA RECAP.