Environmental Industry Updates
The Latest News on Scientific and Regulatory Updates from Merit Laboratories
While testing for PFAS in water sample matrices captures most of the attention, the analysis of soil for PFAS is growing in importance. Environmental scientists are working hard to identify and investigate the presence of PFAS contamination in soil. Soil site investigation efforts are increasing in importance as regulatory agencies and communities are looking to identify the sources of PFAS contamination.
In May, we shared with you information about a national PFAS contamination site tracker being maintained by Northeastern University’s Social Science Environmental Health Institute (SSEHRI). At the time, there were 17 sites in Michigan on the SSEHRI PFAS Contamination Site Tracker list. In just four months, the number has increased to now include 28 Michigan sites with PFAS contamination.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has officially renewed Merit Laboratories' testing certification in support of the DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP).
Merit Laboratories is designated a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE). Merit’s DoD ELAP accreditation includes aqueous and solid sample matrices for a diverse range of analytical methods for organics, wet chemistry, and metals.
The State of Michigan published its annual Superfund report summarizing hazardous substance cleanups of the 65 Michigan sites that are funded by CERCLA (Superfund). No new Michigan sites were added to the Superfund list in FY 2017. According to the MDEQ’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division, 10 of the state’s Superfund sites were in the operation and maintenance phase.
The State of Michigan has started posting PFAS testing results from the statewide drinking water initiative for schools using well water. The state has created a database of PFAS results for public review. The school drinking water results are posted here. The second part of the statewide initiative involves PFAS testing of public water supplies and these results are posted here.
Because of Michigan’s complex geology, the groundwater-surface water interface (GSI) plays an important role in the state’s environmental cleanup program. Last month, we shared with you information about recent updates made by the MDEQ to the Generic Cleanup Criteria Tables. But what exactly is a GSI Pathway and how is GSI Pathway relevancy determined?
Detroit Post of the Society of American Military Engineers
Engineering enthusiasts and industry professionals will be provided with a unique opportunity to learn about military engineering support and field efforts. The Detroit Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will be hosting a presentation on Field Force Engineering Support to Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq.
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.
