Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
Since its initial publication in 2020, EPA Method 533 has become a leading approved analytical test method for the analysis of PFAS in drinking water. During this time, Merit Laboratories has analyzed thousands of samples utilizing EPA Method 533 for drinking water. In the publication of EPA Method 533 in 2020, Merit Laboratories was just a few national laboratories acknowledged in the approved method for PFAS testing in drinking water released by the U.S. EPA.
The Department of Energy (DOE) will be hosting the 2022 Analytical Services Program (ASP) Annual Training Workshop in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ASP Workshop will be held from December 6th through December 8th at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel. Merit Laboratories will be participating in the workshop, which focuses on providing DOE stakeholders with annual training related to key topics in laboratory testing.
Merit Laboratories plays an active role in advancing the development of analytical methods for the scientific testing industry. As testament to this active role, Michael Goergen of Merit Laboratories is the chair of ASTM D19.02, a subcommittee of ASTM D19 on Water that addresses Quality Systems, Specifications, and Statistics.
Merit Laboratories will be presenting at the 2022 National Conference of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG). The AIPG national conference is set for August 6-9, 2022 in Marquette, Michigan, along the shore of Lake Superior. Maya Murshak, CEO and Technical Director of Merit Laboratories, will be delivering a presentation on Understanding PFAS Methods. The conference will be held at Northern Michigan University’s Northern Center.
The U.S. EPA recently announced the creation of Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Preliminary Plan 15), which identifies opportunities to better protect public health and the environment through regulation of wastewater pollution. For the first time, PFAS will become regulated for wastewater effluent through the Clean Water Act (CWA).
Merit Laboratories has added laboratory accreditation through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The list of accredited analytical parameters includes metals, organic, and inorganic test methods. The Pennsylvania DEP is a NELAP recognized accreditation body. The Pennsylvania laboratory accreditation is based upon compliance with NELAP and Pennsylvania code, 25 Pa Code Chapter 252.
Merit Laboratories offers several analytical options for PFAS. Analytical methods performed by Merit Laboratories include EPA 533, EPA 537 Rev. 1.1, EPA 537.1 ASTM D7979-19 with Isotopic Dilution, and ASTM D7968-17. The following summary will help guide you through selecting the most appropriate PFAS method for your project. EPA 537 Rev. 1.1: This is a drinking water method for 14 PFAS compounds using Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).
Merit Laboratories has expanded the list of analytical methods, compounds, and sample matrices for which it is accredited through the DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP). Through this expansion, the DoD officially revised Merit Laboratories' DoD ELAP testing certification to also now include EPA Method TO-15 for the analysis of air samples. Merit is also analyzed for a comprehensive list of analytical methods for aqueous and solid sample matrices.
