QSM 7.3 Sample Acceptance Policy

It is the policy of EAI Analytical Labs that samples not meeting the acceptance criteria, as outlined in the 2009 TNI Accreditation standards and tabulated in section 7.1 of the QSM, will not be accepted by the laboratory or will be qualified on the final report. This policy, as well as, the parameters for the specific acceptance criteria will be made available to the client by being posted in the sample receipt area or printed on the chain of custody.

QSM 7.1 Sample Collection and Receipt Criteria

Sample Collection and Receipt Criteria
Analysis Container   Preservative   Hold Time Aditional
Criteria
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD)		 Plastic, 250mL None; Ice 48 hrs  
Chemical Oxygen Demand
(COD)		 Glass, 100mL Sulfuric acid (H2SO4),
pH < 2; Ice		 28 days  
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Check, it depends on the lab. Metals:  nitric acid
(HNO3), pH < 2;
Anions/Alkalinity: none;
Cyanide:  sodium
hydroxide (NaOH); Ice		 Metals: 6 mo;
Anions: 48 hrs;
Mercury: 28 days		  
Lead & Copper Plastic, 1L None, Ice 14 days  
Microbiology (Total Coliforms, E. coli & Fecal Coliforms) Sterile, 125 mL Sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3); Ice 30 hrs;
(fecal, HPC, 8 hrs)		 Need at least 100mL of sample and headspace.
Nitrate/Nitrite (NO3/NO2) Plastic, 500mL None; Ice 48 hrs  
Radiologicals (RADs) 1 gal or 2: 1L plastic and 40mL glass vial w/ septa None; Ice RADs: 6 mo
Radon: 3 days		 No air bubbles in radon vial
Radon in water 40mL glass vial w/ septa None; Ice 3 days No air bubbles
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOCs) Check, it depends on the lab. Check, it depends on the lab
and if system is chlorinated; Ice		 14 days No air bubbles in 40mL vials.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 2 40mL amber glass vials w/ septa Sulfuric acid (H2SO4),
pH < 2; Ice		 28 days No air bubbles
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Plastic, 250mL None; Ice 7 days  
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 3 40mL glass vials w/ septa Ascorbic acid &
hydrochloric acid (HCl); Ice		 14 days No air bubbles
Volatile Organics (VOCs) 2 40mL glass vials w/ septa Hydrochloric acid (HCl); Ice 14 days No air bubbles



Any of our representatives will be glad to discuss any of your water testing needs, offer reccomendations, and/or assist you in choosing the appropriate tests and/or advise regarding sample submission criteria.


EAI Analytical Labs performs private well testing and commercial well testing, and analysis, for the following New Hampshire counties: Cheshire, Hillsboro, Merrimack, Sullivan, Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap, Grafton, Carroll, & Coos. Vermont counties: Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, & Windsor. Massachusetts counties of: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, & Worcester.