Role of the AAPFCO Laboratory Services Committee

1. Role of the AAPFCO Laboratory Services Committee James Bartos Office of the Indiana State Chemist

2. Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) Committees: Best Management Practices Plant Security Education and Information Environmental Affairs Industry and Regulatory Council Labeling/Terms Laboratory Services Magruder Check Sample Program Uniform Bills Slow-Release Products By-Laws Seminars Long Range Planning Life Membership and Memorials

3. Mission Statement Provide technical support to AAPFCO members and other organizations and stakeholders on plant food analytical needs; to encourage and sponsor the adoption of the most effective and adequate sampling and analytical methods for fertilizers.

4. Background � AAPFCO Lab Services Committee Formed in 1998 19 board members (currently) from regulatory, representing 15 states (AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, NC, NE, NV, OK, SD, WI) and Canada. 8 industry representatives, from 7 different US and international fertilizer companies. Meet twice annually. Meeting is open to all registered AAPFCO meeting attendees, who can raise issues (but can not vote). To serve on Lab Services Committee, must be affiliated with a regulatory agency; membership is voted upon and confirmed by Lab Service Committee and AAPFCO president.

5. Historical Activities Sample homogeneity grinders/blenders/sub-dividing/etc. sample preparation manual Quality assurance/control recommendations �Heavy Metals� method development support As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn AOAC Method 2006.03 Support the Metals/Methods Forum � 1.5 days of discussion, training, working groups, etc. (regulatory, industry, commercial and private laboratories, plus vendors) Method Prioritization Ranking � AOAC Model

6. Current Activities Validation of new methods (SLV, FC & PR) Document/Validate existing method modifications, extensions and revisions Updating or establishing investigational allowances � based upon sampling, repeatability and reproducibility deviation Regional Chemist Workshop

7. Regional Chemist Workshop Chemical and Laboratory Safety Waste Management Sample Preparation QA/QC Standards N (Dumas/combustion and Kjeldahl) P & K by various methods (ICP, AAS, spectrophotometry, flame photometry, etc.) Gravimetric methods (phosphate, sulfate) Titrimetric methods (potassium, Kjeldahl N, chloride) Supporting instrumentation

8. Concerns Many of AOAC fertilizer methods are outdated, resulting in unintended, unvalidated (?) and undocumented modifications. Some methods now have known health/waste concerns (benzene, Hg, phenol, dioxane, etc.) Regulatory labs on limited/declining budgets and cost of method validation is a major issue. Newer technologies exist that offer productivity, detection and/or expanded capabilities. With some methods (based upon check sample data), observing an increase in data deviation.

9. AOAC Fertilizer Methods 107 total fertilizer methods in OMA (22 surplus) Over half (52%), and most of the methods currently in use, were developed in 60�s, 70�s and 80�s Validated one to two methods per year from 1940 through 1990 Only 7 methods developed in last 20 years Only one method validated since 2000

10. Goals Validate new and/or revised methods. Training � RCW and Methods Forum. Improved transparency and access to information through AAPFCO website. Harmonization of laboratories and procedures. Broaden base of discussion/expertise from one lab to as many as possible.

11. Challenges Many methods/topics, but limited number of labs and/or equipment, especially for some Full Collaborative studies. �Official� validation process is new to many. Finding sufficient technical expertise to address the increasing number of products and/or label claims. Financial

12. Questions/Comments ?