Environmental Sciences Section (ESS) Meeting at ACIL Annual Meeting
October 6, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Participants: - Judy Morgan – Chair (Environmental Science Corporation); Earle Cabot (Microbac); Jack Dullaghan (Pace); Gary Englehart (OI Analytical); Jack Farrell (Analytical Excellence);Paul Henige (Maxxam); Joe Konschnik (Restek);Ken Langley (Waters); Doug Leonard (L-A-B); Allison MacKenzie (Edward S. Babcock ); Lee Marotta (PerkinElmer); John Malloy (H2M); Joann Slavin (H2M Labs, Inc.); Sucha Parmer (Atmospheric); Lindsey Pyron (EST); Jerry Singh (RTI); Rebecca Smith (Pickering); Jason Stine (L-A-B); Steve Vanderboom (Pace Analytical Services); Joe Weitzel (Agilent); Bob Wyeth (Pace Analytical Services); David Friedman (Friedman Consulting); and Milt Bush (ACIL CEO).
1.0Call to order:
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. EDT.
2.0Introductions:
The participants introduced themselves.
3.0Anti Trust Statement:
The members acknowledged they had read and understood their obligations under the statement.
4.0Review and Approval of September teleconference meeting minutes:
Motion to approve: Mr. Konschnik
Seconded: Mr. Wyeth
Passed unanimously.
5.0Presentation of Preston S. Miller Award:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. Malloy presented the Preston S. Miller Award for Service to ACIL to Judy Morgan, Cabot Earle, Allison Mackenzie,and Bruce Godfrey
6.0ILI Initiative for Collaboration with Government Agencies
Mr. Friedman led the discussion on the ILI Collaboration Initiative. He began by described the objective and history of the initiative and reviewed the success of the first project to support EPA in update Methods 624 and 625. He then updated the members on the status of a number of issues before the group. These included: the initiative to work with EPA to incorporate Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) into their water testing methods; what should EPA do about the shortage of helium and its impact on the laboratory community; and the request for assistance by EPA's ORCR in addressing issues with releasable cyanide and other analytical methods. Discussions then continued on prioritizing the issues in order to focus the members’ limited resources on the items of greatest benefit to the industry.
Helium Shortage
EPA has been contacted by many laboratories concerned with the apparent shortage of helium used in analytical instruments and ILI was contacted by EPA as to whether this was an issue that ILI would be willing to host a workshop to determine what could be done to address the issue.The sense of the discussion was that the helium shortage is a critical issue to the laboratory community and that EPA should be told that ILI is willing to work with them to address the issue.
Solid Phase Extraction
ILI issued an invitation for parties interested in employing Option 3 as a means of moving SPE forward to participate in a discussion/planning workshop. A number of laboratories and SPE vendors participated and others expressed an interest in being involved but could not attend the initial meeting. The participants expressed a desire for ILI to shepherd an effort to carry out Option 3 and a Steering Committee wasformed to help plan the program.
A follow-up planning meeting was held, which surfaced a number of issues that need to be addressed before a detailed action plan can be developed. These include:
- How performance-based can an SPE protocol be written vs how prescriptive does it need tobe to accommodate Office of Water needs?
- If prescriptive, how can the wide variety of SPE technologies be accommodated in amanner such that the protocol is not manufacturer-specific and the protocol can keep pace with developments in the field?
- What data will be needed to validate any protocol that is developed?
Mr. Friedman presented three options that the laboratory and vendor community have for obtaining EPA Office of Water approval for use of SPE in wastewater testing for a decision by the group as to how to proceed. The options are:
- Each laboratory/vendor would apply for approval of their product on a particular permit/particular waste basis to the appropriate EPA Region or State permitting authority. If for particular use, the petitioner would have to demonstrate that for the particular matrix and analytes of interest that the proposed SPE yields results (i.e., sensitivity and accuracy) that are as good as those needed to meet particular wastewater discharge permits or other specific Data Quality Objective requirements. If the petition is for general use within the Region, then the demonstration would likely have to cover the range of matrices and analytes listed in Method 625.
- To obtain national approval of a particular SPE system, a manufacturer or laboratory can apply to the EPA Office of Water wastewater methods program under its Alternative Test Procedure program for approval of a particular SPE system for particular or general use. If for particular use, the petitioner would have to demonstrate that for the particular matrix and analytes of interest that the proposed SPE yields results (i.e., sensitivity and accuracy) that are as good as those in Method 625. If the petition is for a general ATP use, then the demonstration must cover the range of matrices and analytes listed in Method 625.
- To obtain national approval of SPE as a general technique, a non-manufacturer-specific, non-laboratory-specific SPE protocol would have to be developed by the combined laboratory/technology innovation community; validated; and submitted to EPA's wastewater methods program for them to propose it for inclusion in Method 625.
If Option 1 or 2 is selected, it would mean that ILI would not have to continue to address this issue. ACIL might be able to assist potential ATP applicants by in conducting validation studies.
After much discussion, it was decided that given the number of items on the ILI agenda, if ILI is to continue to pursue Option 3, then a champion was have to come forth who would be willing to do the heavy lifting of developing a protocol, developing and implementing a validation plan, and preparing the needed documentation. Friedman, was tasked with contacting SPE vendors in order to see if a champion could be found to lead the effort and report same by the November ESS meeting. If a champion is found, a decision will be made at the November ACIL meeting on how to proceed.
Assistance to EPA ORCR in Addressing Outstanding Method Issues
EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) has approached ILI for assistance in resolving a number of outstanding issues with several methods in order to get them approved. The group decided that it is important to assist ORCR and agreed to do so at the next ILI workshop.
The group approved Friedman to set up the next ILI workshop for the week of December 10th. While the program is still to be decided with EPA, it will likely include working on the helium shortage; methods for releasable cyanide; and a number of other outstanding ORCR method issues.
7.0Non-Governmental Accreditation Initiative:
The Non-Governmental Accreditation initiative continues to be a major focus of ESS activities.
7.1New Jersey:
Mr. Bush reported that the effort in New Jersey is moving forward. Our discussions regarding third-party accreditation are continuing to advance. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plans to meet with representatives from ACIL and the business community to discuss specifics in relation to the acceptance of third-party issued accreditations and savings to the state and the laboratory communities.
7.2Florida
A Tallahassee law firm has been retained to help push and represent ACIL in Florida with regard to the third-party accreditation initiative. A tentative meeting has been set up for ACIL to meet with Florida's Surgeon General. ACIL’s legal representatives have already completedmeetings with the General Council of the FL Department of Health (DOH) and with individuals responsible for DOH budget and planning.
7.3California
A survey was prepared and sent out to laboratories in California to obtain specifics and more quantitative information related tothe performance of the California laboratory accreditation program to strengthenACIL's position. While a number of responses have already been received, Ms. Morgan said that the survey has not closed yet.
7.4EPA
A letter and information package has been drafted that requests that EPA's Office of Water revisetheir drinking water regulations to allow states to accept third-party accreditations in the Agency's drinking water accreditation program. The package is currently undergoing review by ACIL and Section leadership.
7.5APHL
Ms. Morgan reported that a letter is to be drafted and sent to APHL to clarify ACIL's position on third-party accreditation in order to dispel some apparent misconceptions that APHL has recently documented in their White Paper.
8.0A round table was held that included the following presentations:
8.1Pace Yourself Training by Bob Wyeth (Pace Analytical)
The Pace Yourself Program is a training system that allows employees to monitor and direct their own training plan in a self-paced, self-sufficient manner. The system facilitates a partnership between the employee and management to support the professional growth of all staff within Pace.The system relies on an extensive set of training materials and programs, all based on the collective learned knowledge within Pace Analytical and captured in the company’s standard operating procedures, training documents, and work processing manuals. A blended learning approach is used to present the training material in various forms including written, audio, visual, and hands on formats. A vital part of the training is to assess the employee’s competency as each training element is completed. All training activity is managed through a central Learning Management System that provides program communication, implementation, tracking, and documenting.
8.2Environmental Issues Facing Environmental Laboratories byRobert J. Alessi
DLA Piper LLP (US)
Like any other business authorized to conduct business in New York, as well as other states, environmental laboratories must carefully manage environmental issues and consistently comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.In the discussion, Mr. Alessi, pointed out that storage and disposal of hazardous wastes is one of the most common environmental issues that results in enforcement actions against laboratories. In addition, contract review and liability was discussed as being an area where many laboratories may be vulnerable due to not having adequate time, staff or expertise to spend on a comprehensive document review.
8.2The Green Challenge by Judy Morgan (ESC Laboratories)
Ms. Morgan discussed why environmental laboratories should institute green initiatives and programs. She discussed the benefits to the country and to the laboratory of increasing recycling, reducing waste, and other green activities. An emphasis was placed on the elements of a green chemistry program, the ACS twelve principles of a green program, and the steps laboratories might take to implement such a program. She also discussed the results of a recent ACIL Green survey.
9.0A.O.B: none
10.0Next Conference Call: November 15, 2012; 11:00 a.m. EDT
11.0Adjournment: 5:30 p.m. EDT.
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ESS EC Minutes 10-07-12