Standardization News

ASTM International Committee E54 on Homeland Security Applications has developed a new single-laboratory validated standard, E2787, Test Method for Determination of Thiodiglycol in Soil Using Pressurized Fluid Extraction Followed by Single Reaction Monitoring Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The new standard was developed by Subcommitee E54.03 on Decontamination.

E2787 could be used to support Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9, which "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," according to an article on standardized analytical methods on the EPA website. This collection of labs is known as the Environmental Response Laboratory Network.

In the wake of a chemical weapon attack, E2787 could be used to detect the chemical weapon agent breakdown product to identify the agent and ensure proper cleanup of an involved area, according to Lawrence Zintek, national organic methods development expert, U.S. EPA Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory, and an E54 member.

Zintek notes that the following multilaboratory validated standards, under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for Organic Substances in Water, which is part of ASTM International Committee D19 on Water, cover information related to homeland security:

For more information from EPA on standardized analytical methods, go to www.epa.gov/nhsrc/sam.html. More on the Environmental Response Laboratory Network can be found at www.epa.gov/oemerln1.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585)

CONTACT Technical Information: Lawrence Zintek, U.S. EPA Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory • Chicago, Ill. • Phone: 312-886-2925 • Email: zintek.lawrence@epa.gov O ASTM Staff: Rick Lake • Phone: 610-832-9689 • Email: rlake@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2012 • January Committee Week • Atlanta, Ga.