SAM Scope and Application
The premise and purpose of SAM is to select the analytical methods to be used in cases when multiple laboratories are called on to analyze environmental and building material samples following an intentional or unintentional contamination incident. SAM also is intended to support the ERLN and WLA, and to be used as a tool to assist state and local laboratories in planning for and analyzing environmental and building material samples following such incidents. The methods presented in SAM should be used to:
- Determine the extent of site contamination (assumes early responders have identified contaminants prior to EPA’s remediation effort);
- Evaluate the efficacy of remediation efforts during site cleanup; and
- Confirm effectiveness of decontamination in support of site clearance decisions.
The methods provided are limited to those that would be used to determine, to the extent possible within analytical limitations, the presence of chemical, radiochemical, pathogen and biotoxin analytes of concern and their concentrations and viability. The methods include detailed laboratory procedures for confirming the identification of analytes and determining their concentrations. The methods, therefore, are not designed to be used for rapid or immediate response or for conducting an initial evaluation (triage or screening) of suspected material to determine if it poses an immediate danger. SAM also does not provide information regarding sample collection activities or equipment. In conjunction with SAM, EPA has developed SAM companion documents that provide information regarding sample collection, laboratory rapid screening/preliminary identification equipment, and sample disposal in support of the methods and analytes listed in SAM. SAM companion documents are posted on NHSRC's SAM website (SAM Companion Documents and Sample Collection Procedures) as they become available.
SAM provides selected methods for specific analyte/sample type combinations for chemicals, radiochemicals, pathogens and biotoxins. This website allows users to search for a particular analyte and/or method. Please see SAM Methods Query.
Disclaimer
The information contained in SAM represents the latest step in an ongoing effort by EPA to provide selected analytical methods for use by laboratories tasked with analyzing samples in support of EPA remediation and recovery efforts following a contamination incident. SAM is intended for use by EPA and EPA-contracted and -subcontracted laboratories; it also can be used by other agencies and laboratory networks, such as the Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN).
At this time, only some of the methods selected have been validated for the listed analyte and sample type. However, the methods are considered to contain the most appropriate currently available techniques based on expert judgment. Unless a method that is listed in SAM states specific applicability to the analyte/sample type for which it has been selected, please assume that method evaluation is needed, and adjustments may be required to accurately account for variations in analyte/sample type characteristics, environmental and building material samples, analytical interferences and data quality objectives (DQOs).
EPA will strive to continue development and evaluation of analytical protocols, including optimization of procedures for measuring target analytes or agents in specific sample types, as appropriate. This will be an ongoing process. In those cases where method procedures are determined to be insufficient for a particular situation, EPA will continue to provide technical support regarding appropriate actions. EPA has also compiled information and published documents regarding sample collection materials, rapid screening/preliminary identification equipment, and disposal of samples corresponding to SAM analytes and sample types. These documents are available at SAM Companion Documents and Sample Collection Procedures.
EPA recognizes that specification of a single method may limit laboratory capacity and techniques that may be needed to evaluate difficult samples. In cases where method procedures are determined to be insufficient, EPA will provide technical advice regarding appropriate actions (see list of contacts in Technical Contacts). Additional information is also provided in the Agency Policy Directive Number FEM-2010-01 (PDF) (2 pp, 42 K, About PDF). Where further development and testing are necessary, EPA is continuing to develop and evaluate analytical protocols based on the methods that are listed in SAM and according to current EPA policies for validating analytical methods. Once validation is complete, data regarding the resulting method performance and data quality objectives (DQOs) will be available. EPA plans to continue to update SAM, as appropriate, to reflect improvements in analytical methodology and new technologies, and to incorporate changes in analytes based on needs. Information regarding the use of deviations from the methods referenced in SAM is provided on the Technical Contacts page.
Participants in the chemical, radiochemical, pathogen and biotoxin work groups evaluated the suitability of existing methodologies and selected this set of methods for use by laboratories supporting EPA environmental remediation efforts following an intentional or unintentional contamination incident. EPA recognizes that this advanced selection of methods may pose potential risks, including the following:
- Selecting technologies that may not be the most cost-effective technologies currently available for addressing the particular situation at hand;
- Selecting methodologies that may not be appropriate for use in responding to a particular event because EPA did not anticipate having to analyze for a particular analyte or analyte/sample type combination; and
- Discouraging development and adoption of new and better measurement technologies.
To address these potential risks, the following measures are taken:
- Using an established SAM method selection process (Figure 2-1) to help ensure that the analytical methods listed provide results that are consistent with and support their intended use;
- Collaborating with the Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN), which includes the WLA and is part of the ICLN, to ensure that the methods selected meet the network’s needs for consistent analytical capabilities, to address capacity, and to provide quality data to inform remediation decisions; and
- Continuing to work with multiple agencies and stakeholders to update methods in SAM as needed.
Public officials need to accurately assess and characterize site contamination following an emergency situation. This assessment includes initial characterization of potential site contamination to determine immediate public and environmental risks, the extent of contamination, and effective approaches for site remediation. EPA recognizes that having data of known and documented quality is critical in making proper decisions and strives to establish DQOs for each response activity. EPA’s DQO process is based upon needs for both quality and rapid response. During initial assessments, time is of utmost importance and DQOs must weigh the need for rapid analytical response (e.g., using screening methods) against the need for very high quality data. Many of the methods listed in SAM include quality control (QC) requirements for collecting and analyzing samples. EPA will assess these QC requirements to ensure the quality of analytical data supports decisions concerning site remediation and release. These QC requirements may be adjusted as necessary to maximize data and decision quality. Specific QC considerations and recommendations for analysis of samples for chemical, radiochemical, pathogen and biotoxin analytes are provided in the General Quality Control (QC) Guidelines. EPA’s ERLN, which is tasked with providing laboratory support following homeland security-related contamination events, also has established data reporting procedures. Requirements for receiving, tracking, storing, preparing, analyzing and reporting data are specified in the U.S. EPA (2011) Environmental Response Laboratory Network Laboratory Requirements Document ; project-specific requirements also are included in individual Analytical Service Requests (ASRs).
