OQA Bulletin Board

New Analytical Methods Available for Certification
March 2008: Issue of Revision 7, Method OQA-QAM-025
Revision 7 of Method OQA-QAM-025, "Quantitation of Semi-Volatile Petroleum Products in Water, Soil, Sediment and Sludge" has been issued by the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA).

Questions regarding Method OQA-QAM-025 Revision 7 should be directed to Peter Boughton at (690) 292-3950.

March 2008 - New Revision to Method OQA-QAM-025
The latest revision of Method OQA-QAM-025 is revision 7. The major change is the sample holding time for aqueous and solid samples from seven days to extraction to 14 days to extraction. Some editorial changes were made to the method. Laboratories do not have to send OQA any data. The SOP revisions will be inspected during the next on- site assessment. Revision 7 will directly replace revision 6 on March 3, 2008.

Major Changes as Follows:

9.1.3 (Aqueous holding time):
Samples must be extracted within 14 days from the time of collection or 12 days from verified sample time of receipt (VSTR). Extracts must be analyzed within 40 days of extraction.

9.2.3 (Solids holding time):
Samples must be extracted within 14 days from the time of collection or 12 days from VSTR. Extracts must be analyzed within 40 days of extraction.

13.0 References:
#24. Miller, M. W., Appleby, C. Wright, D., Skelton, P., "A Gas Chromatography Method to Replace Method 418.1 for the Determination of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons", Presented at National Conference on Contaminated Soils, Amherst, MA, October 1997. Available on OQA web site.

July 2007 - United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Methods Update Rule (MUR)
On March 12, 2007 the USEPA issued a final MUR that revises the list of approved analyses and sampling procedures in wastewater, drinking water and biosolids regulations.  To provide guidance to businesses certified using the NJ – Environmental Laboratory Certification Program or accredited using the NJ – National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, the OQA has issued the following letter and accompanying attachments:

OQA letter of July 13, 2007 (PDF) t hat provides general details of the MUR's implementation and an overview of the information contained in the included attachments listed below.

Attachment 1 (PDF) –  Table 1 - List of Chemical and Biological Test Procedures Removed and Alternate Approved Replacement Methods and Table 2 - Replacement Options for Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Attachment 2 (PDF) –  NJDEP Schedule for Responding to Methods Update Rule (MUR)

Attachment 3  (PDF) –  Submittal Requirements for Requesting Changes to Certification and Accreditation Status

March 2007 - New Low Level Air Analysis Method Required by the NJDEP’s Site Remediation and Waste Management Program
New Air Analysis Method Certification Available, March 2007.

The NJDEP Site Remediation Waste Management (SRWM) Program has developed criteria for a Low Level Volatile Organics Method for air sampling and analysis that will be used in place of USEPA Method TO-15. The new method is designated as NJDEP-SRWM Low Level USEPA Method TO-15, March 2007 (NJDEP-LLTO-15-3/2007). The specific details of the new analysis method requirements are given in the following three documents:

1. NJDEP Modified Low Level TO-15 Method (NJDEP-LLTO-15-3/2007) [pdf 406 Kb]
2. NJDEP Ambient Air Regulatory Data Report Format (Appendix 1) [pdf 530 Kb]
3. Method NJDEP-LLTO-15-3/2007 Data Reporting Spreadsheet [pdf 24 Kb]

Directions for applying for certification can be found in the letter from the OQA to laboratories dated April 2, 2007 announcing the new air analysis method requirements.

General information related to the Departments Vapor Intrusion Program can be found at the NJDEP Site Remediation Waste Management (SRWM) Program at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/guidance/vaporintrusion/

Specific questions relating to certification can be directed to Mr. Michael DiBalsi or Dr. Z. Bernie Wilk at (609) 292-3950.

January 2007 - Dioxin/Furan and PCB Congener Laboratories:
Updates Required to World Health Organization (WHO) Toxic Equivalent Factors (TEFs).
In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) had reevaluated its Human and Mammalian Toxic Equivalent Factors (TEFs) for Dioxins/Furans and PCB Congeners from those initially issued in 1998.  Changes to several TEFs have been made as a result of the 2005 reevaluation.

Because of these changes, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) requests that all laboratories update their reporting of Dioxin/Furan and PCB Congener data to incorporate the new 2005 WHO TEFs.  The methods affected include EPA Methods 8290, 1613 and 1668A.  Going forward, Dioxin/Furan and PCB Congener data being reported to the Department using these methods shall make use of the updated 2005 TEFs when calculating Toxic Equivalents (TEQs).  The updated WHO 2005 TEF values can be accessed directly through WHO’s web site at http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/tef_update/en/index.html.  Additionally, the laboratories shall document the updated TEFs used in their laboratory reports.

September 2004 - Air Analysis Certification Update
On October 20, 2003, regulations were published that required regulatory air analyses performed for the State of New Jersey to be conducted by certified laboratories. On that date, the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) initiated the process of certification of air analysis laboratories. During the initial application period, which ended April 17, 2004, a total of 35 laboratories applied for and received temporary certification. Beginning in July 2004, OQA has initiated and is currently conducting on-site assessments of these 35 laboratories. Laboratories that have applied under this program should expect to hear from the OQA in the near future regarding the scheduling of an on-site assessment. After on-site assessments, qualified laboratories will have their temporary certification status changed to certified status.

During the application process, laboratories were given the option of applying for certification under either the New Jersey Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (NJ-ELCP) or the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NJ-NELAP). This was done in anticipation of receiving NELAP approval to incorporate all air analysis methods in the NJ-NELAP. Currently, New Jersey has NELAP approval to certify laboratories for EPA methods TO-15 and TO-17. Pending NELAP approval, all other air analysis methods (as outlined in Part III) are currently only available for NJ-ELAC program certification. New Jersey anticipates NELAP approval for all air parameters in the near future. Additionally, New Jersey will use the NELAC Standard for assessing laboratory capability to grant both NJ-NELAC and NJ-NELAP certification.

Enterococci Update for the BEACH program
July 9, 2004 Method Clarification
The US EPA has clarified the counting requirements in Method 1600 used in the determination of enterococci testing in the BEACH program. The clarification is as follows:

All blue halo colonies must now be measured. Any blue halo colony that is less than 0.5mm in diameter is not to be included in the final count. Only blue halo colonies which measure equal to or greater than 0.5mm in diameter, are to be counted as target organisms (enterococci). Colonies are to be counted using a measuring magnifier that is accurate to 0.1mm.

Laboratories, certified for Method 1600, were notified by the Office of Quality Assurance regarding the changes. All of the laboratories responsible for the testing of the public bathing beaches have submitted documentation verifying that they have complied with the updated method requirements for the determination of enterococci.

For additional information please contact Debra Waller.

April 27, 2004: For all labs conducting bacterialogical testing of ocean and bay beaches, the monitoring parameter has changed from fecal coliform to enterococci. This applies to private and public, ocean and bay beaches. For your convenience, details of the change as well as contact information can be found in an April 27, 2004 notice(PDF) .

April 2006 Updates to the Proficiency Testing Program
Water Supply Certifications
The starting date for the July Make-up Water Supply PT Study (WS-July 06) is July 10, 2006, and the closing date is August 24, 2006. Laboratories that failed to submit results and/or failed to submit analytical results within acceptable limits for the January Water Supply PT Study (WS-January 06) must submit results for the WS-July 06 PT Study. ELCP laboratories must use the State of New Jersey’s PT Samples Contract. No petitions for exemption from the contract by ELCP laboratories will be accepted for this Study.

Water Pollution Certifications
The starting date for the June Water Pollution PT Study (WP-June 06) is June 12, 2006, and the closing date is July 27, 2006. The next Water Pollution PT Study is scheduled for December 2006. ELCP laboratories must use the State of New Jersey’s PT Samples Contract. No petitions for exemption from the contract by ELCP laboratories will be accepted for these Studies.

Solid/Hazardous Waste Certifications
The starting date for the April Make-up Soild/Hazardous Waste PT Study (SW-April 06) is April 17, 2006, and the closing date is June 1, 2006. Laboratories that failed to submit results and/or failed to submit analytical results within acceptable limits for the October Solidazardous Waste Study (SW-October 06) must submit results for the SW-April 06 PT Study. ELCP laboratories must use the State of New Jersey’s PT Samples Contract. No petitions for exemption from the contract by ELCP laboratories will be accepted for this Study.

PT Study Verification, Homogeneity and Stability Data Notice
The purpose of this Notice October 20, 2005(PDF) is to assist the laboratory community with its activities to respond to the State's PT Study Verification, Homogeneity and Stability data requirements.

Rule Revisions
November 2003 - Air Program Implementation - On October 20, 2003, amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:18, “Regulations Governing the Certification of Laboratories and Environmental Measurements” were adopted in the New Jersey Register (35 NJR 4878). The amendments (PDF) expanded N.J.A.C. 7:18 to provide for the certification of laboratories analyzing both ambient and stack air samples in response to the Clean Air Program (CAP). The amendments also expanded the list of air analytical methods available for certification.

On November 26, 2003, the OQA issued a letter to laboratories containing directions on how to apply for certification (PDF)in air analytical methods. Those directions required laboratories to complete Parts I (PDF), II (PDF) and III (PDF) of the application package, and submit with it a Standard Operating Procedure for each method in which certification is sought along with the applicable fee (PDF). All laboratories conducting analyses in response to a New Jersey CAP must submit a completed application by April 17, 2004.

Specific questions regarding obtaining certification in the Clean Air Program should be directed to Dr. Z. Bernie Wilk at (609) 292-3950.

Guidance Documents
02/26/2007 - pH Monitoring - A generic Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for pH Monitoring(PDF) has been developed by the OQA. The document provides an outline for businesses to follow when preparing an SOP to become certified.

08/28/2003 - Continuous pH Monitoring – A generic Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Continuous pH Monitoring(PDF) has been developed by the OQA. It includes a template and instruction page(PDF). The documents provide an outline for businesses to follow when preparing an SOP to become certified.

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