90 likes | 275 Views
BP GCLN Meeting October 20 2004. Martin Tait Delta Environmental Consultants Naperville IL . Technical Topics - Discussion. Measuring cooler temperatures Lab SOPs? Guidance on using Temp blanks Measuring/reporting temps in multiple coolers Tracking samples vs. temp in multiple coolers
E N D
BP GCLN MeetingOctober 20 2004 Martin Tait Delta Environmental Consultants Naperville IL
Technical Topics - Discussion • Measuring cooler temperatures • Lab SOPs? • Guidance on using Temp blanks • Measuring/reporting temps in multiple coolers • Tracking samples vs. temp in multiple coolers • Protocol for measuring temp with IR guns in absence of temp blanks?
Technical Topics – Trip Blank Hold Times? • Lab consensus • Lab SOPs? • EPA/MICE perspective • Does a trip Blank holding time matter? • The practice of holding for subsequent analysis
MICE InterpretationQuestion: is there a Hold time for trip blanks for VOCs? • This is really a judgment call and should be based on the individual project requirements. One could ague for establishing the trip blank holding time from either the point at which the sample is prepared or from the time of sample collection. Since the trip blank analyses is an assessment tool for measuring the potential for contamination it would make the most sense for the holding time to begin from the time of preparation, since this period would include the entire time the vial is exposed to possible contaminants. On the other hand, for analysis purposes it is much easier to make the beginning of the holding time consistent with the time when samples are collected. The bottom line is unless a specific requirement for the trip blank holding time is noted in a particular project planning document, the laboratory can develop their own policy. This policy should be documented in a standard operating procedure (SOP) and unless directed to do otherwise, should be consistently applied for all volatiles analyses. • We would not encourage holding the trip blank analyses pending the results of the sample results. Regardless of whether target analytes are detected above the reporting limits in the samples, the trip blank results still provide a useful assessment data and validation of the sample collection procedures. Furthermore, the trip blank holding times should be consistent to all other samples based on whatever the preparation of collection date is used.
Paperless COCs • Issues with electronic coc submission • What is the “original” • Issues with not having “carbon” copies • Electronic signature, acceptance, use • Write protect COCs? (how does the lab add info if so?)
Regulatory Issues NELAC • INELA (develops Standards) • FSMOs • Accreditation • Quality Systems • Field Audits • EPA (Adopts Standards)
INELA Chapter 7 • FIELD SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS • Requirements for • Quality Systems (completed, to EPA for acceptance) • Proficiency testing - under development • On-Site Assessments/Audits - under development • Accreditation (chaired by AMT) - under development • Matrix-specific appendices - under development