Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
Advancing laboratory testing capabilities by adopting and implementing the latest in scientific testing instrumentation is key to servicing clients with specialized project needs. One of Merit’s newest additions to its instrumentation roster is a Perkin Elmer FTIR. FTIR spectroscopy is used for a variety of testing procedures and objectives, including characterizing and identifying unknown samples and materials.
Since its initial publication in 2020, EPA Method 533 has become a leading approved analytical test method for the analysis of PFAS in drinking water. During this time, Merit Laboratories has analyzed thousands of samples utilizing EPA Method 533 for drinking water. In the publication of EPA Method 533 in 2020, Merit Laboratories was just a few national laboratories acknowledged in the approved method for PFAS testing in drinking water released by the U.S. EPA.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formally announced the issuance of the next Toxic Substances Contract Act (TSCA) test order requiring PFAS testing. The new test order is being made under the National PFAS Testing Strategy. The EPA announced the action on January 4, 2023, which orders companies to conduct and submit testing for the PFAS substance HFPO. HFPO (CAS # 428-59-1), also known as trifluoro(trifluoromethyl)oxirane, is used in plastics manufacturing.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 (Plan 15) to protect the nation’s waterways. According to the EPA Plan 15 will follow the science and the Clean Water Act to develop technology-based pollution limits and studies on wastewater discharges from industrial sources.
Merit Laboratories plays an active role in advancing the development of analytical methods for the scientific testing industry. As testament to this active role, Michael Goergen of Merit Laboratories is the chair of ASTM D19.02, a subcommittee of ASTM D19 on Water that addresses Quality Systems, Specifications, and Statistics.
The U.S. EPA (EPA) has released the highly anticipated 2nd Draft of EPA Method 1633, an LC/MS/MS method to analyze PFAS. This second draft, released by the EPA in June, is a follow-up to the original draft released in Fall 2021. One of the most concerning aspects of the first draft was it being based on a single laboratory validation study
Merit Laboratories will be presenting at the 2022 National Conference of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG). The AIPG national conference is set for August 6-9, 2022 in Marquette, Michigan, along the shore of Lake Superior. Maya Murshak, CEO and Technical Director of Merit Laboratories, will be delivering a presentation on Understanding PFAS Methods. The conference will be held at Northern Michigan University’s Northern Center.
The number of PFAS-contaminated sites in Wisconsin continues to grow at a rapid rate. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) released a PFAS Action Plan to address growing public health and environmental concerns regarding PFAS in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin PFAS Action Council (WisPAC), a group of nearly 20 state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System, developed the plan, as part of a statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water.
