Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the accepted limits. Another possibility is that not enough ice was added before shipping
so the sample containers are not well padded, resulting in container breakage and sample
loss.
These types of problems must be noted by the lab as soon as the cooler is received and
opened. It is vital that any questions, problems, or discrepancies in the coolers and their
contents be noted and resolved at the earliest possible time. Often the PM will be able to
answer many of the questions as a result of discussions and knowledge of the client's
needs without having to contact the client; otherwise, it is necessary to contact the client
or field sampler to resolve questions and discrepancies. By doing this at the beginning of
the laboratory's log-in process, it is often possible to resolve problems before the sample
is released to the various laboratory sections for analysis.
Noting problems early will prevent the sample from being misprepared or analyzed
using the wrong methods or otherwise being consumed. It is important to remember that
typically field sampling is limited in both time and volume. Often the amount of the
sample sent to the laboratory is enough to perform the requested analysis and enough for
laboratory quality control needs plus a little more. Therefore there may not be enough
sample available to perform multiple preparations and analysis on the sample in question,
and thus it is important that the preparation and analysis to be done right the first time.
Other problems in regard to shipping or sample transport could be termed catastrophic
loss; for example, the cooler falls from the back of the sampling truck on the highway
while at speed, resulting in cooler disintegration, or the tractor at the landfill runs over the
cooler, resulting in a very flat cooler. For these types of problems the only answer is to
 
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