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How to Choose a Laboratory that Will Meet Your Data Assessment and Testing Needs?
Oral Presentation
Prepared by K. Watson1, D. Gaynor, Ph.D2
1 - Stone Environmental, Inc., 535 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier, Vermont, 05602
2 - Phoenix Chemistry Services, 126 Covered Bridge Road, Ferrisburgh, Vermont, 05473
Contact Information: kwatson@stone-env.com; 802-229-2196
ABSTRACT
Engineers are often faced with the dilemma of choosing a new or additional laboratory for their environmental testing needs when they begin a project in a new geographical location, or embark on a project with a more extensive list of test methods than their current “favorite” laboratory offers. Theoretically, the law of environmental analytical work allows for the purchase of two of the following three characteristics: good quality, fast turnaround or low cost. However, more importantly, clients must look at a broader set of criteria for choosing a new laboratory such as: can they create data deliverables for both electronic and manual data assessment; do they offer the tests we need; are they NELAP and/or DOD accredited; and finally, is the price within the projected budget?
One question that is not asked often enough is: if a laboratory can meet all of the above criteria, does that guarantee that the data produced will satisfy the data assessment requirements and the data quality objectives of the project?
In the best of circumstances, the data assessor, the client and the testing laboratory should be in full partnership in an environmental investigation or monitoring project. In this paper, we will examine what an extended list of criteria ought to include, ways to evaluate a laboratory that go beyond these simple questions, and ways in which the accrediting bodies can increase the value of the accreditations awarded, especially in a time of decreased travel budgets and over-full schedules.
Additional Author: Deborah H. Gaynor, Ph.D.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by K. Watson1, D. Gaynor, Ph.D2
1 - Stone Environmental, Inc., 535 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier, Vermont, 05602
2 - Phoenix Chemistry Services, 126 Covered Bridge Road, Ferrisburgh, Vermont, 05473
Contact Information: kwatson@stone-env.com; 802-229-2196
ABSTRACT
Engineers are often faced with the dilemma of choosing a new or additional laboratory for their environmental testing needs when they begin a project in a new geographical location, or embark on a project with a more extensive list of test methods than their current “favorite” laboratory offers. Theoretically, the law of environmental analytical work allows for the purchase of two of the following three characteristics: good quality, fast turnaround or low cost. However, more importantly, clients must look at a broader set of criteria for choosing a new laboratory such as: can they create data deliverables for both electronic and manual data assessment; do they offer the tests we need; are they NELAP and/or DOD accredited; and finally, is the price within the projected budget?
One question that is not asked often enough is: if a laboratory can meet all of the above criteria, does that guarantee that the data produced will satisfy the data assessment requirements and the data quality objectives of the project?
In the best of circumstances, the data assessor, the client and the testing laboratory should be in full partnership in an environmental investigation or monitoring project. In this paper, we will examine what an extended list of criteria ought to include, ways to evaluate a laboratory that go beyond these simple questions, and ways in which the accrediting bodies can increase the value of the accreditations awarded, especially in a time of decreased travel budgets and over-full schedules.
Additional Author: Deborah H. Gaynor, Ph.D.