Assessing New Emerging Contaminants & Methods for Accreditation

Operational Issues Impacting the Environmental Laboratory Industry
Oral Presentation

Prepared by M. Miller
Dade Moeller/Miller Quality Consulting, 10801 Fox Park Ln, Knoxville, TN, 37931, United States


Contact Information: mitzi.mqc@gmail.com; 509-531-0255

ABSTRACT

Senior Assessors and state accrediting bodies are faced with training/mentoring assessors to understand the testing of new emerging contaminants and testing methods. Examples of these contaminants include:
• Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Using External Standard Calibration and Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)
• Determination of Cylindrospermopsin and Anatoxin-a in Drinking Water by Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS)
• Micro plastics

This paper discusses approaches to education, training, and mentoring assessors to become proficient in data review and assessing new analytes and technologies. These approaches include:
• Technology information from universities and vendors
• On- line training from many sources
• Visiting laboratories that are implementing these technologies for learning
• Mentoring other assessors

Discussion will include recommendations to assessors on auditing a new test method or technology.