ELAP Updates FOA Tables

ELAP Updates FOA Tables

The Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) has updated the application forms and FOA tables, making editorial changes to all Field of Accreditation (FOA) tables and adding new Fields of Accreditation at the request of the Division of Drinking Water and Office of Information Management and Analysis. The requested methods establish new analytical capabilities to meet the needs of the programs. The summary of additions are below and the tables can be found on ELAP’s Application Webpage.

Summary of Changes

• ELAP’s FOA Tables are now filterable! This will let laboratories filter the tables by each entry (for example, filtering a whole table to look at all methods that ELAP offers for Nitrate in Non-Potable Waters)

• FOA Tables no longer require a signature! Laboratories are still required to have authorized personnel sign the application documents, and doing so affirms that the information included in the application (including the FOA tables) is true and correct.

• New Analytical Methods added! Additions are clarified below; methods were added to FOA table 105, 109, and 111.

Analytes in Drinking Water

Analytes in Drinking Water

The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry have developed and validated three analytical methods for emerging contaminants. DDW and CDFA conducted a multi-laboratory validation study with samples taken from water systems and the ELAP accredited laboratory community and ELTAC member laboratories. The methods and their validation studies can be viewed on DDW’s Analytical Methods Webpage.

Table	Parameter	Analytical Method	Technology
105	Saxitoxin	CAC-STX-1.1	Bioanalytical Assay
105	Trifluoroacetic acid	CAC-TFA-1.1	LC-MS/MS
105	Benzotriazole	CAC-Benzotriazole-1.1	LC-MS/MS

Analytes in Non-Potable Waters

Two analytical methodologies are requested for an emerging contaminant and for use in analysis of high salinity waters. EPA 1634 (DRAFT) is a laboratory validated method to analyze 6PPD-Quinone, an analyte linked to the deaths of coho salmon. EPA 1640 is a method validated for use on seawater and high salinity water samples to quantify trace metals and developed in support of the Clean Water Act. The Office of Information Management and Analysis has requested ELAP to offer both methods to aid in the Water Board’s understanding of the environmental occurrence of these analytes.

Table	Parameter	Analytical Method	Technology
111	6PPD-Quinone	EPA 1634 (DRAFT)	LC-MS/MS
109	Arsenic	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Cadmium	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Copper	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Lead	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Nickel	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Silver	EPA 1640	ICP-MS
109	Zinc	EPA 1640	ICP-MS

Editorial Updates to FOA Tables

All ELAP FOA tables have undergone editorial revisions to adjust formatting and correct minor errors noted in the table footnotes. These editorial revisions have no impact on the analytical methods ELAP offers but may alter the formatting laboratories are used to seeing. Major changes are denoted below.

• All FOA tables now allow for filtering using the built-in Excel filtering tool, making it easier to ensure your laboratory marked “y” on all requested FOAs or selected all methods or analytes.

• The Signature/info block has been removed from all table footers. ELAP no longer requires this information on each FOA table page.

• Formatting of all tables has been adjusted (i.e. margins and font).

Footnotes or method notes on tables 101, 104, 105, 115, 131, and 126 have been updated to more accurately reflect requirements and unique conditions on the specific methods. No changes impact any current laboratory process or method requirements.