Accurate laboratory results begin long before samples arrive at the laboratory. Proper field sampling techniques are essential for minimizing the potential for cross-contamination and ensuring data quality. Because PFAS compounds are found in many everyday consumer products, extra care should be taken during sample collection.
Advancing its commitment to supporting a comprehensive federal services program, Merit Laboratories has expanded its DoD ELAP accreditation to include Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) sample preparation.
Merit Laboratories is pleased to announce its participation in the 2026 International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds (Battelle Chlorinated Conference), taking place May 31 – June 4, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas. Recognized globally as one of the leading conferences for environmental remediation professionals, the event brings together scientists, engineers, consultants, regulators, and industry leaders to advance solutions for complex environmental challenges.
Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is an increasingly accepted approach for characterizing soil contamination and reducing the uncertainty commonly associated with traditional discrete sampling methods. By collecting and combining multiple increments from a defined area, ISM is designed to provide a more representative estimate of mean contaminant concentrations within a designated decision unit.
Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is increasingly used across the environmental industry to evaluate soil contaminants. Unlike traditional discrete sampling, ISM collects numerous soil increments that are combined, processed, and subsampled to produce more representative measurements of contaminant concentrations within a defined area.
In a new PFAS research study, scientists at the University of Notre Dame have detected PFAS in many of the most commonly used cosmetics, including the highest levels in mascara, lipstick, and foundation. The study, Flourinated Compounds in North American Cosmetics, published by the American Chemical Study in June, found that more than half (52%) of all cosmetics tested contained had high fluorine concentrations.
Rainwater in the Great Lakes region contains alarming levels of the toxic chemical PFAS, according to data from a joint Environmental Protection Agency and Canada monitoring network, as detailed in a recent article from EWG.
The EPA recently announced changes in policy to new PFAS before it can enter the market. The current administration has made a commitment to focus on PFAS pollution and protect human health and the environment. Previously, some new PFAS were allowed to enter the market through low volume exemptions (LVEs).
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) released an update on the foam that often appears on Lakes and Streams. The EGLE routinely receives complaints about foam on rivers or lakes. This foam can be naturally occurring foam or foam caused by environmental pollution. Many things can be introduced into a lake or stream that may cause foam to form.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recently began requiring wastewater treatment plants that land apply biosolids to have PFAS laboratory testing performed prior to the land application. The EGLE Water Resources Division started sending out notifications about this new program to affected parties this year. Merit Laboratories provides analytical laboratory testing for PFAS in biosolids sample matrices to support its wastewater clients meet their regulatory requirement obligations
On March 11, 2021, the EPA proposed the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) UCMR 5, which will require sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants, including PFAS. The testing will occur between 2023 and 2025 using analytical methods developed by EPA and consensus organizations.
The number of PFAS contaminated sites in the United States continues to expand at a rapid pace. According to the PFAS Contamination Site Tracker, managed by Northeastern University’s Social Science Environmental Health Institute (SSEHRI), there are now 1,244 sites with PFAS contamination and 1,114 water systems contaminated with PFAS.
The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) has published a new sampling guidance document for leachate samples. MPART’s Leachate PFAS Sampling Guidance document covers the processes, decontamination procedures, and acceptable materials for sampling landfill leachate for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The U.S. EPA is moving forward on the required next step in regulating PFAS in drinking water by issuing final regulatory determinations. After receiving more than 10,000 public comments, the EPA made the announcement on January 19, 2021, that they would follow the rulemaking processes required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Updated cleanup standards were announced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For groundwater used as drinking water, EGLE has included five additional PFAS compounds to Part 201, making the total number of PFAS regulated in groundwater to seven compounds. Effective December 21, 2020, the compounds PFNA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA
