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Research Topic
Standardized Analytical Methods for Environmental Restoration Following Homeland Security Events contains methods for measuring specific contaminants that might possibly be associated with a terrorist attack, evaluating the nature and extent of contamination, and assessing decontamination efficacy. New methods will be added in 2012, and the title will change to Selected Analytical Methods (SAM) for Environmental Remediation and Recovery. Additional selected analytical method information is available online at www.epa.gov/sam.
Selected Analytical Methods
During a homeland security emergency, rapidly determining the type and extent of contamination could require large numbers of samples to be analyzed by many laboratories. To ensure that the laboratories generate comparable results, they must use a consistent set of methods. In fact, Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 9 requires the development of a nationwide, interconnected network of federal and state laboratories that integrate resources and use standardized analytical procedures when supporting responses to homeland security incidents.
To facilitate the development of this network, EPA’s Homeland Security Research Program has prepared Standardized Analytical Methods for Environmental Restoration Following Homeland Security Events (SAM). EPA formed a workgroup of its own experts and those of other agencies to create this manual. These experts reviewed many analytical methods, seeking to balance the use of existing techniques and methodologies against the goal of obtaining consistent results. The workgroup selected methods for measuring chemical, biological, and radiological agents in a variety of sample types, such as solids, drinking water, and air.
The current revision of SAM (6.0) contains over 200 method summaries for biological, chemical and radiochemical analytes. The summaries, which briefly describe the method, indicate analytical purpose, describe preparation and determinative techniques, plus any special considerations. The summaries also describe the purpose for which the method was developed and the specific use for which it was included in SAM. New methods will be added to the next revision of SAM, which will be published in 2012 under the title Selected Analytical Methods (SAM) for Environmental Remediation and Recovery.
EPA has developed a searchable website at www.epa.gov/sam. In addition to a SAM Methods Query that permits searches of the chemical, radiochemical, pathogen, and biotoxin analytical methods, the site also has full documentation of laboratory methods when available and links to technical contacts and key collaborators.
EPA has also been developing and validating standardized analytical protocols and sample collection procedures based on methods in the manual. The protocols explain how to collect, preserve, prepare, and analyze samples. EPA also intends to work with other government agencies and the private sector to identify gaps in research and establish a laboratory accreditation system.
| See Also |
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| Standardized Analytical Methods for Environmental Restoration Following Homeland Security Events – SAM 2010 (Revision 6.0) (EPA/600/R-10/122) October 2010 |
| Field Screening Equipment Information Document (EPA/600/R-10/091) September 2010 |
| Rapid Screening and Preliminary Identification Techniques and Methods (EPA/600/R-10/090) September 2010 |
| Standard Analytical Protocol for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Water (EPA/600/R-10/056) September 2010 |
| Rapid Radiochemical Methods for Selected Radionuclides in Water for Environmental Restoration Following Homeland Security Events (PDF) (146 pp, 2.33MB) (EPA/402/R-10/001) August 2010 |
| Single-Laboratory Verification of Culture-Based Analytical Procedures for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Water (EPA/600/R-10/057) August 2010 |
| Sample Collection Information Document (EPA/600/R-09/074) June 2010 |