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OQA Bulletin Board
March 2012 - USEPA Grants New Jersey Exemption From DMR-QA Submittal
On November 30, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the Departments request to withdraw from the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance (DMR-QA) Program. EPA granted approval of the withdrawal because the Departments state-wide laboratory certification program is an adequate surrogate for the DMR-QA Program. The withdrawal is effective beginning in 2012 and pertains to an exemption for DMR-QA Study 32. The OQA sent a letter to all laboratories on March 12, 2012 as notification of this change. Please refer to the March 12, 2012 letter for additional information.
December 2011 - Certification of Low Flow Parameters Guidance Document
View letter and guidance document
May 2011- Important Notice Regarding Application Process Policy
View more information
October 2010 - HazSite Electronic Data Deliverable File Format Support Changes
Site Remediation Program (SRP) is discontinuing the support of WK1 (Lotus 1-2-3) and DBF (dBase/FoxPro) file extensions for the HazSite database electronic data deliverable (EDD) submissions effective 1/1/2011. Please refer to SRP web site for more information.
August 2010 - Analysis of Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbon Compounds (EPH) in Aqueous and Soil/Sediment/Sludge Matrices (NJDEP EPH Method 10/08, August 2010 Rev. 3)
The NJDEP has updated its Environmental Laboratory Certification Programs to add NJDEP EPH Method 10/08, Rev. 3. It is included as a DSAM on the OQA’s Part 3 as SHW06.04540 for GC/FID and as SHW07.04600 for GC/MS. All labs formerly applied or certified for NJDEP EPH Method 10/08 Rev. 2 (under SHW06.04530) have been upgraded to SHW06.04540 for GC/FID. An update letter giving revised application information, including the procedure to follow if the GC/MS option is of interest, has been forwarded to all laboratories performing NJ EPH, DRO/GRO SW846 Method 8015 and/or Method NJ-OQA-QAM-025. The method will be used by the NJDEP’s Site Remediation Program (SRP) and more information can be found on their website as follows:
Additional information can also be obtained by contacting Peter Boughton at 609-292-3950."
January 2010 - Clean Air Program Proficiency Tetsing Samples
The State of New Jersey is requiring laboratories certified in the Clean Air certification program to begin analyzing PT Samples in January 2010. All certified laboratories will be invoiced for the Air PTs in late October for the initial study in January. All laboratories must report results for any parameters in which they hold certification. Since this is the initial study the department will not impose suspensions on the laboratories that do not acceptably analyze the initial rounds.
In the future if a laboratory does not pass the required PTs the will not be able to report regulatory data to the State. Any ELCP laboratories that do not pass one sample a year will be suspended for that analysis. Any NELAP laboratories that do not pass one sample a year will not be eligible to report data to the State of New Jersey until they are back in compliance with the PT requirements.
January 2010 – Changes to Water Pollution PT schedule
Recently, the USEPA changed the timeframe for conducting annual DMR-QA studies. Effective with EPA DMR-QA 30, studies will occur in March. In the past the NJDEP planned the timing of its PT Sample program to give laboratories the option of using the same samples for both DMR-QA studies and N.J.A.C. 7:18 requirements. Given the USEPA’s change, the NJDEP has changed the timeframe of its annual water pollution study from June to March. With the NJDEP’s change laboratories should be able to continue to have the option of using the PT Sample results from the NJDEP studies to meet DMR-QA requirements. Additionally, for those laboratories not having acceptable results in the March studies, the timeframe for second round PT sample studies is changed from December to September.
May 2009 – Revised NJDEP-SRP Low Level USEPA Method TO-15 Air Analysis Method
NJDEP’s Site Remediation Program (SRP) has recently revised Method NJDEP LL TO-15 (and the associated deliverables requirements, NJDEP LL TO 15 Appendix 1). The revised method - dated March, 2009 - should promote additional opportunities for laboratories previously unable to meet all the method requirements. Laboratories wishing to pursue certification are to follow the requirements of the revised method and its associated Appendix 1. As laboratories are certified and sufficient analysis capacity exists, the SRP will ultimately require all Method TO-15 analyses to be conducted using the NJDEP low level air analytical method. Additional information can be found at SRP’s Vapor Intrusion Program website.
Specific questions relating to certification can be directed to Mr. Michael DiBalsi or Dr. Z. Bernie Wilk at (609) 292-3950.
EPA Method 537 for Perfluorinated Hydrocarbons (PFC’s) Finalized and Available for Certification
In recent years, the Department has conducted both statewide and site specific monitoring of PFC’s such as PFOA and PFOS. On September, 2008, the EPA had finalized its first reference method (EPA Method 537) for the analysis of several PFC’s including PFOA and PFOS. Given the introduction of the reference method by the EPA and continued interest in New Jersey for the analysis of these compounds, the new method is being offered for certification beginning on July 1, 2010.
Questions regarding this method and certification should be directed to Dr. Z. Bernie Wilk at (609) 292-3950.
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:
- NJDEP Modified Low Level TO-15 Method (NJDEP-LLTO-15-3/2007) [pdf 406 Kb]
- NJDEP Ambient Air Regulatory Data Report Format (Appendix
1) [pdf 530 Kb]
- 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.
If this office can be of any further assistance, please call Dr. Z. Bernie Wilk of the Office of Quality
Assurance at (609) 292-3950.
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) .
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. Please see this link for direct and indirect calibration procedures(PDF).
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