Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
Merit Laboratories is heading south to participate in the largest conference in North American devoted to environmental measurements: the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The 2018 NEMC themed “The Future Landscape for Science” is slated for August 6 - 10 in New Orleans.
Merit Laboratories is the first environmental laboratory in Michigan to achieve certification for the analysis of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Merit is ISO/IEC 17025-certified for the analysis of PFAS by two analytical mehods. EPA 537 for drinking water testing and ASTM D7979 with Isotopic Dilution for testing wastewater, groundwater, and surface water.
As more sites are identified with PFAS contamination in Michigan, the state’s Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is taking steps to communicate with state residents and interested parties. One such step is the creation of the PFAS Response website. This site provides information on PFAS sites in Michigan, health, wildlife, and testing and treatment. MPART published a statement on PFAS Testing and Treatment.
The MDEQ published updates on June 25th to the Generic Cleanup Criteria Tables to reflect recent changes to the GSI (Groundwater-Surface Water) Criteria. The GSI tables are based upon the water quality standards developed under Michigan Part 31, Rule 57 of (Water Resources of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act). Water quality standards were updated in March 2018, which served as a precursor to the GSI Criteria table updates.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) recently issued guidance on wastewater sample collection for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The wastewater sampling guidance can be used for compliance with the new PFAS Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) requirements. The wastewater PFAS sampling guidance covers sampling equipment, equipment decontamination, sample collection and handling, field clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sample shipment.
The U.S. EPA is making plans for community engagement events in states that are being impacted by PFAS contamination. The first two states listed for the community engagement events are New Hampshire and Michigan.
The State of Michigan has strengthened its lead and copper rules for drinking water. The changes were filed on June 14, 2018, and are now part of the official state statute. These changes wrap-up a year-long administrative process between the MDEQ and the governor’s office. With these changes, Michigan now has the strictest lead in drinking water rules in the country. The highlights of the changes to the lead in drinking water rules, include:
Merit Laboratories’ band of chemists are taking the show on the road for two simultaneous Michigan environmental events on June 12th and 13th: the 2018 Michigan Environmental Compliance Conference (MECC) in Lansing and the 8th Annual AIPG Michigan Section Technical Workshop on Higgins Lake in Roscommon.
