Greater than or equal to 7 days can be evaluated in the same units in which they are expressed. SAMPLE PRESERVATION AND HOLDING TIMES. While we do not agree that the holding time guidelines or associated sample preservation recommendations published in SW-846 are technically deficient, we understand and agree that inconsistent interpretations of how holding times are evaluated across EPA programs can create inadvertent problems or lead to confusion for sample collectors, laboratories, and data users. FOR WASTEWATER: NITRIC ACID (HNO3) -- CAN BE ADDED WHEN RETURNED TO LAB. This information can be used to support holding times and/or sample preservation and storage conditions that are appropriate or necessary to meet project-specific data quality objectives. Wastewater/Groundwater Holding Times. For example, a sample collected on a Tuesday is considered to have met a specified 7-day holding time as long as it is prepared or analyzed by the end of the day on the following Tuesday. 5 ML BRCL (WITHIN 48 HOURS). The new guidance on sample holding times for the SW-846 program is: Holding times for sample preparation and analysis greater than or equal to 7 days have been met if the sample is prepared or analyzed by the end of the last day or month of the specified maximum holding time. As you identified in your letter, the concentrations of many metals and organic chemicals have been observed to change more slowly in properly preserved materials and holding times on the order of days or months have been established for these tests. "Holding Times and Preservation for Environmental Radiochemical Samples: An Evaluation of ISO Standard Guidelines", Environmental Radiochemical Analysis VI, Nicholas Evans. FOR OVER 10 METALS: 1-LITER PLASTIC.
FOR DRINKING WATER: HOLD UP TO 7 DAYS WITHOUT NITRIC ACID (HNO3). To view a PDF for the letter CLICK HERE. ≤ 6 ° C, 8 DROPS HCL(50%). On May 27, 2020, the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) was informed that it had been successful in convincing the US EPA to revise its guidance for sample holding times. SAMPLE MUST BE DRIED AT THE LAB IN AN OVEN. Table 3 lists the approved procedures, preservation and holding times for water for parameters not listed on Table 1. Technical Director of Chemistry. Download citation file:
Jasper Hattink; Doi: -. WASTEWATER, BACTERIOLOGICAL. Tests, Bottles, Preservation and Holding Times. Sample preservation, holding times, required sample volumes, and container types are listed in Table 1 for water samples and Table 2 for soil and sediment samples. This interpretation of recommended holding times is consistent with that described in the current versions of the Contract Laboratory Program's National Functional Guidelines for Organic and Inorganic Superfund Methods Data Review3 and with DoD's Quality Systems Manual v. 5. TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS. DRINKING WATER, BACTERIOLOGICAL. The letter stated: Thank you for your letter dated March 9, 2020, requesting clarification on how holding times in the SW-846 Compendium, from sample collection to preparation and analysis, are interpreted, particularly for holding times greater than or equal to 7 days. TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON. Jasper Hattink, Roger Benzing, 2019. However, some chemicals are identified in SW-846 as unstable or reactive over a short timeframe, and for projects where these chemicals are of particular interest, the best practice for obtaining representative measurements is to complete testing as soon as possible after samples are collected. A sample collected in January is considered to have met a specified 6 month holding time if it is prepared or analyzed before the end of July. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS.
TOTAL KJELDAHL NITROGEN. US EPA to Revise its Guidance for Sample Holding Times. Publication date: 10 Sep 2019. Holding Times and Preservation for Environmental Radiochemical Samples: An Evaluation of ISO Standard Guidelines. Given these factors and after examining the recommended holding times and associated studies referenced in SW-846 and interpretations of how holding times are evaluated across other EPA programs, the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) has decided to clarify that the recommended holding times in SW-846 Chapter 32 (Table 3-2) and Chapter 4 (Table 4-1). ≤ 6 ° C, 2 NAOH PELLETS & 10 DROPS ZN ACETATE. Recommended holding times in Chapters 3 and 4 of SW-846 are clearly identified as guidelines and not EPA requirements. DRY WEIGHT METALS TESTING USUALLY DONE ON SLUDGE OR SOIL. FOR 10 METALS AND LESS: 500 ML PLASTIC. Holding time studies referenced in SW-846 Chapter 41 do not provide a clear basis to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable measurements within a small tolerance of the nominal holding time, such as within a few hours for holding times of 7 days.
250 ML PLASTIC BOTTLE OR BAG WITHOUT PRESERVATIVE. NOTE: ADD ENOUGH SODIUM THIOSULFATE TO CHLORINATED SAMPLES TO REMOVE RESIDUAL CHLORINE. The SW-846 Methods Team will revise guidance related to holding times to be consistent with the interpretation above, and this interpretation will also be incorporated into Chapters 3 and 4 at the next available opportunity.
NAOH = Sodium Hydroxide HCL = Hydrochloric Acid H2SO4 = Sulfuric Acid BRCL = Bromine Monochloride HNO3 = Nitric Acid. It is also important to point out that authorized states can be more stringent when designating holding times or interpreting guidance on measuring holding times. FOR ALL EXCEPT MERCURY: 6 MONTHS. Short Holding Times. Chapter 4 suggests that the project team consider existing information and data regarding analyte stability or perform additional testing in order to determine how best to preserve sample integrity for the analytes of interest.