REGION 6 MOBILE LABORATORYA Field Analytical Vehicle

U.S. EPA – Region 6

Management Division

Houston Laboratory

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Overview

Background

Advantages & Limitations

Analytical Capability

Recent Projects

Quality Assurance

Future Development

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Mission

The 20 foot long “fifth wheel” trailer is configured as a laboratory for analytical services in the field. 

The unit serves as a mobile platform for an array of instrumentation in support of numerous Agency activities.

 Control measures are in place to ensure data quality.

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Operations

Installed generator supply the necessary electricity.  Heating and air-conditioning allow for year round use.   

The Region 6 Lab in Houston serves as the base of operations and as a full service fixed base laboratory is able to provide confirmation analysis.  Chemists & biologists from Regional Accredited lab staff the mobile laboratory.

In addition to analytical equipment, the unit has: Mounting bracket for weather station to measure wind speed,

direction, ambient temperature, and humidity

Mounted satellite dish for data transfer from the remote site

5Houston Mobile Laboratory

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Houston Mobile Laboratory

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Mobile Lab Advantages

Exploratory Analyses INFICON (Hapsite)

Metals by XRF

Faster Results Methods are streamlined

Short TAT (time critical)

In situ testing vs preservation & shipping

Efficient Multiple analyses at station/grid

Eliminates unnecessary samples

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Field Operation Advantages

Provides real time information resulting in an enhanced operation

Fluidized decision making

Communication – Satellite service and Wireless Network

Sampling – Covered area for labeling, chain-of-custody, and paperwork

Storage – ability to transport coolers, bottles, SUMMAs, ice, and sampling equipment

Logistics – Staging point for Region 6 chemists and field personnel

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Mobile Lab Limitations Sensitivity

XRF vs ICP/MS

Analytical QC IDOCs, MS/MSD, LRB, etc.

Less definitive – confirmation required

Variability No new Contaminants of Concern

Data Review & Labeling

Dependent Shore power or diesel generator

Permit requirement to enter facility

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Mobile Lab Limitations Diesel generator

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Mobile Lab Limitations Fifth wheel

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Current Organic/Inorganic Capabilities GC/MS Volatiles Analysis

SW846 Method 8260

NESHAP Method 624• Benzene, V. Chloride in water

Unknowns (TICS) via Library Search

Water and Soil (medium level/MeOH) Matrices

Metals by XRF

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Current Microbiology Capabilities

Toxicity Testing

Standard Methods 9223B

Colilert®- 24 E. Coli

Total Coliform

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Current Classical Chemistry Capabilities

pH

Seta Flashpoint

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Recent Projects

Lyondell Petroleum (March 2004) – Assisted Region 6 surveillance inspectors with benzene analysis

Shintech (August 2004) – Assisted Region 6 surveillance inspectors with vinyl chloride analysis and TCLP screening

Georgia Gulf (January 2005) – Assisted Region 6 surveillance inspectors with multi-media inspection

Hurricanes Katrina & Rita (September & October 2005) – Livingston, Kinder LA

Hurricanes Gustav & Ike (September & October 2008)– Scott LA

CES Environmental (February 2009) - Houston

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Mobile Lab Projects - 2004 March 2004

• 6EN, Lyondell Citgo, Pasadena TX

August 2004

• 6EN, Shintech, Freeport TX

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Mobile Lab Projects - 2005 February 2005

Georgia Gulf, Baton Rouge LA

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Hurricane Katrina & Rita Response

Sept & Oct 2005

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Katrina & Rita Activity

On-site Laboratory

On-site Chemists/Biologists

~1400 Microbiology Analyses

Communication (e-mail + Internet)

Field Reporting – pdf’s emailed

Collaboration with Region 8 Mobile Lab, Office of Water Cinc. OH

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Gustav & Ike Activity – Sept & Oct 2008

On-site Laboratory

On-site Chemists/Biologists

200+ Microbiology Analyses

Communication (e-mail + Internet)

Field Reporting – pdf’s emailed

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% by Coliform type for each parish

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

E.coli

coli, non fecal

no Coli.

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Quality Assurance

Analytical Method QC Volatiles - Method 8260

• ICAL, CCV • Lowest point = RL• Blanks• Surrogates

Metals - X-ray Fluorescence, Niton XL3t – SW-846 6200

• Calibration - Intrinsic (standard less) or empirical (regression)

pH Measurement – 3 point ICAL, 1 point verification

Seta flashpoint – ASTM 3828 – diesel & p-Xylene standards

Coliforms – positive, negative & blank controls

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Quality Assurance

Field Custody seals √

Chain of Custody √

Bound/page numbered field logbooks √

Duplicates

Blanks

Equipment rinsates

Trip blanks

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Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance Project Plan Surveillance/Enforcement

• ? Disaster Response/Post Incident

• ?

Data Quality Objectives Surveillance/Enforcement

• Project Dependent? Disaster Response/Post Incident

• Coliform testing?

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Quality Assurance

QAPP Surveillance - designed for second stage fixed base lab testing Disaster Response/post incident

DQO – General Requirements Surveillance/Enforcement

• Generation of laboratory data of Tier I quality. Data must be of rapid TAT for the time critical facility evaluation. Quantitation limits should be less than or equal to the action limits. Neither secondary reviews nor labeling is required before reporting. Electronic reporting is not required.

Disaster Response/post incident• Generation of laboratory data of Tier I quality. Data must be of

rapid TAT for the time critical onsite event. Quantitation limits should be less than or equal to the action limits. Secondary review is required and labeling is not required before reporting. Electronic reporting is required.

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DW Certification or NELAP Accreditation?

Surveillance/Enforcement: CWA, RCRA, CAA

Disaster Response/Post Incident: SDWA

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Future Mobile Lab Capabilities

Organics Voyager GC (PID/ECD)

Immunoassay Kits – Pests & PCBs

Head Space Analysis

Inorganics Spectrophotometer UV-VIS

GFAA Metals Analyses

Metals Digestions

Haz Cat Analysis

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Future Mobile Lab Capabilities

Micro Coliform count by Quanti-tray

Wet Conductivity

Turbidity

Dissolved Oxygen

Air Summa Canister transport 6L & mini

Bio Reactor (40CFR part 80, method 304A)

Reporting SCRIBE Upload

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Future Mobile Lab Capabilities (Generic deployment) - continued

SCRIBE Project Management Tool

1. Station locations & target DQOs

2. Mobile Laboratory Analysis

3. LIMs data reviews, manual data reviews

4. Report & EDD generation

5. Publish to SCRIBE (Upload)

6. Available for Project Use

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Pre Site visit meeting

Dow

nload toM

obile Lab

Upload to

Data

base

LIMs Generated

Report & EDD

Pub

lished to

D

ataB

ase

Available for Review

Enter results

&

Review

Future Mobile Lab Capabilities (Generic Deployment) - continued

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Summary: Houston Mobile Laboratory Houston Lab – Base of operations

o Staffed by Qualified Biologists & Chemists

o Modular outfitting by project

Current Uses:

o Regional surveillance activities

o Disaster Response (24/7)

Potential Uses:

o Superfund remedial or

removal support o Homeland Security events

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Mobile Laboratory Services

Marvelyn Humphrey 6-MDAssociate Branch Chief 281-983-2140

Rick McMillan 6-MDDeputy Branch Chief 281-983-2107

Contact – Christy Warren 6-MD

Sample Control Center

Office (281) 983 -2137Cell (281) 415 - 6815